NAUJAN, Oriental Mindoro — “This song is lovingly dedicated sa matagal ko ng crush at minamahal ng palihim! Ang pag-ibig ko sa’yo ay parang talaba, patay na ay nakakapit pa!”
This is just one of the “crush and love” reveals of students here who have long been hiding their feelings of ‘puppy love’ on their crush but only had the courage to speak up at a Valentine’s dedication booth.
Thanks to the collaboration of the municipal hall’s information and tourism offices manning the dedication booth at the town plaza on February 14.
On its Facebook post, the employees said they were just testing the audio of their speakers on February 13 for a coming celebration when they instantly hatched the plan of a dedication booth for Valentine’s Day.
During their class lunch break, students and teenagers trooped and milled at the dedication table to pick a pre-cut and colored sheet from a fishbowl where they can write their romantic dedications. This is then read by a staff with a microphone while accompanied with a love song sending cheers and giggles to the crowd. Aside from crush reveals, others wrote “hugot” lines or romantic pick-up lines.
VALENTINE’S DAY BREAK
Still in Naujan town, Mayor Henry Joel C. Teves issued Memorandum No. 23-026 ordering a suspension of work starting at 1:00 P.M. on February 14 in order to allow municipal employees to celebrate the ‘Day of the Hearts.’
The Memorandum does not include employees whose offices provide basic health services, preparedness and response to disaster and calamity including essential services.
As part of their V-Day celebrations, the town hosted a live band for its Lovapalooza, Couple of the Night and Faces of the Night held at the town plaza. A Night market added to the romantic ambiance.
KASALANG BAYAN
Forty-nine couples including thirty-eight Mangyan couples were wed on Valentine’s Day as part of Naujan town’s “Kasalang Bayan 2023.”
Mayor Henry Joel C. Teves solemnized the wedding ceremony held at the Mena G. Valencia gymnasium.
The Kasalang Bayan which is usually held on Valentine’s Day also celebrates Buwan ng Pagtatalang Sibil or Civil Registration Month under Proclamation No. 682 signed by the late President Corazon C. Aquino on January 28, 1991.
After the wedding ceremony, the Mangyan couples joined a ritual of stomping a pig to death and touching its blood believing that it will strengthen their marriage union.
PNP LOVE OFFERING
Police provincial director P/Colonel Samuel S. Delorino on Valentine’s Day distributed chocolates to policewomen and non-uniformed personnel.
P/Lt. Colonel Joel G. Paningbatan of Oriental Mindoro police provincial office also handed flowers to civilians including a parsonage for nuns.
In Pinamalayan, municipal police chief Police Lt. Colonel Juan D. Calaluan and Police Captain Robert M. Balahadia distributed balloons and chocolates to policewomen of Pinamalayan PNP as a token of appreciation for their hard work.