My name is Lei, and I am Johann’s mom.

In our world as parents, this is the most important role we play. But this is not to forget our roles as wives to our husbands (or vice versa), especially as Valentine’s Day beckons.

Around this time every year, all roads leading to Dangwa flower market in Manila are impossibly full. Men and women alike troop here for the most affordable flowers available in the metro. And why not? Imagine a bouquet of roses which normally sells for almost two thousand pesos in posh flower shops can be had here for only P250, allowing both rich and poor to afford a Valentine souvenir for their loved ones. Regardless of prevailing economic conditions, people spend for Valentine ’s Day, and this long stretch of flower stalls which turns into a festive market each year is proof of just how big a celebration Valentine’s Day is for us Filipinos.

With three days to go before Valentine, I wonder how many of you have made preparations for the occasion. If you haven’t, not to worry – we have suggestions to make planning easy, no matter how much time (or how little) you have in your hands.

We’ve listed down the top 10 restaurants you can try for a memorable dinner date. Dads, dash for flowers, chocolates, and a little extra something (read : naughty gifts) for the wife!

If flowers and chocolates are not your thing, try expressing your love in different ways – check out our 10 Unlikely but Romantic Valentine’s Day Movies to be Watched Together. If you must come up with a gift, put a personal touch to it with a DIY Valentine gift. Finding ways to express your love to your spouse can be tricky, but you can’t go wrong with a Valentine “date” with the whole family, doing the thing that matters most – being together. After all, the simplest gestures are sometimes the most meaningful.

I wish you all a Valentine’s Day you won’t soon forget.