Mass weddings and singing mailmen as Filipinos mark Valentine’s Day

People buy bouquets on Valentine's Day at a flower market in Manila on Feb. 14, 2023. (AFP)
People buy bouquets on Valentine's Day at a flower market in Manila on Feb. 14, 2023. (AFP)
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Updated 14 February 2025
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Mass weddings and singing mailmen as Filipinos mark Valentine’s Day

Mass weddings and singing mailmen as Filipinos mark Valentine’s Day
  • Filipinos go all-out on Valentine’s Day to express love and affection
  • Flower prices at popular marketplaces nearly double on the holiday

MANILA: Shopping malls were filled with heart motifs and red hues, while stalls of pre-arranged bouquets and flowers dotted the streets of Philippine cities on Friday, as Filipinos celebrated Valentine’s Day.

The holiday is rooted in Christian tradition, honoring Saint Valentine, a third-century martyr who was imprisoned and later executed for ministering to persecuted Christians during the Roman Empire, including secretly officiating marriages for Roman soldiers.

In the predominantly Catholic Philippines, mass weddings are commonly held on this day, with local governments offering hundreds of couples the opportunity to marry when traditional weddings may be for some too expensive.

Other government initiatives, including express domestic deliveries brought by singing mailmen of the national post office, have helped Filipinos express affection and make romantic gestures.

The holiday has also become a commercial celebration of romance, with the prices of flowers at popular marketplaces such as the Dangwa market in Manila, nearly doubling. Roses and tulips have spiked to as high as $2 a piece, twice its price last week.

Tina Bautista, a coffee shop owner, has observed how businesses have been impacted by the holiday.

“The Philippines embraces Valentine’s Day. I see restaurants being fully booked, traffic gets heavier, and flower shops have lines of people buying last-minute bouquets. There’s romantic buzz everywhere — from love songs playing in establishments to special promos in cafes and hotels,” she told Arab News.

“One practice that stands out is how businesses get in on the celebration — coffee shops create Valentine’s drinks, malls set up photo booths for couples, and even schools organize Valentine-themed events.”

In the Philippines, men are the ones expected to display love and affection, due to the country’s longstanding courtship traditions.

For Kyle Pelaez, 25, Valentine’s Day is “more of an opportunity to show my appreciation to my partner outside of the daily ways,” he said.

“While we always make it a point to celebrate the occasion, we usually do it not on the day of Feb. 14 itself just to avoid the rush.”

Despite the romantic atmosphere, there are those who feel the social pressure of the holiday.

Justine Poblete, 31, does not see Valentine’s Day as an authentic part of Filipino culture and feels that people only partake in it because of social pressure.

“I think people are celebrating it because other people do. If there is any influence from Filipino culture, I think it’s the fact that women receive more special treatment than men. It’s always men who do romantic gestures,” she said.

“People are pressured to spend whether on gifts or dates … honestly, it can get a bit pressuring. It’s a bit of a shame walking outside with no significant other beside you, or no flowers or gifts in hand. And whether I’m holding a bouquet or not, I still feel awkward and uncomfortable.”

But others see the romanticism of the day.

Philip Juachon, 27, recalled how he used to look for the perfect bouquet for his girlfriend, which “also meant enduring the friendly banter of the people who would see you carrying it.”

While they have been together for 10 years, they always make it to a point to celebrate — if not on Valentine’s Day itself, then on the surrounding days.

“Filipinos are emotionally expressive and love having reasons to celebrate,” he said.

“I think it’s a mix of Filipinos’ love for celebrations, religious influence, and romantic nature. Having a specific day dedicated to love allows us to celebrate and express our affection and appreciation for the people we care about.”


Kremlin calls Putin-Witkoff talks ‘constructive’ ahead of US sanctions deadline

Updated 37 sec ago
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Kremlin calls Putin-Witkoff talks ‘constructive’ ahead of US sanctions deadline

Kremlin calls Putin-Witkoff talks ‘constructive’ ahead of US sanctions deadline
Witkoff held around three hours of talks with Putin in the Kremlin

MOSCOW: Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff were “useful and constructive,” Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said on Wednesday.

Witkoff held around three hours of talks with Putin in the Kremlin, two days before the expiry of a deadline set by President Donald Trump for Russia to agree to peace in Ukraine or face new sanctions.

Ushakov told Russian news outlet Zvezda that the two sides discussed the conflict in Ukraine and the potential for improving US-Russia relations. He said Moscow had received certain “signals” from Trump and had sent messages in return.

Wildfire forces evacuations in Spanish tourist town

Wildfire forces evacuations in Spanish tourist town
Updated 2 min 26 sec ago
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Wildfire forces evacuations in Spanish tourist town

Wildfire forces evacuations in Spanish tourist town
  • Spanish public broadcaster TVE reported that the fire had started in a camper van at a local campsite, with strong winds spreading the blaze quickly

MADRID: Firefighters battled a wildfire Wednesday near the southern Spanish tourist town of Tarifa, where more than 1,500 people had to be evacuated as shifting winds hampered efforts to control the blaze.

Although fire crews managed to secure areas near hotels and tourist accommodation, the fire remained active and uncontained, said officials.

“What concerns us most right now is the wind — whether it shifts between the west and east,” said Antonio Sanz, interior minister for Andalusia’s regional government.

The wildfire broke out Tuesday afternoon near La Pena, a wooded area close to a beach just outside Tarifa. The town of about 19,000 residents on Spain’s southernmost coast, is known for its strong winds, which draw kite- and windsurfers.

Spanish public broadcaster TVE reported that the fire had started in a camper van at a local campsite, with strong winds spreading the blaze quickly.

The fire forced the evacuation of 1,550 people from campsites, hotels, and homes, as well as about 5,000 vehicles, mostly belonging to beachgoers, said Sanz.

Emergency crews worked overnight to prevent the fire from reaching coastal resorts, but residents and tourists evacuated have not yet been allowed to return, he added.

Spain is currently experiencing a heatwave, with temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius in many regions.

Civil protection authorities have warned that wildfire risk remains “very high” or “extreme” across much of the country.


Russian and Chinese navies practice destroying ‘enemy submarine’, days after Trump move

Russian and Chinese navies practice destroying ‘enemy submarine’, days after Trump move
Updated 21 min 23 sec ago
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Russian and Chinese navies practice destroying ‘enemy submarine’, days after Trump move

Russian and Chinese navies practice destroying ‘enemy submarine’, days after Trump move
  • The two countries signed a “no limits” strategic partnership to conduct regular military exercises in order to rehearse coordination between their armed forces and send a deterrent signal to adversaries

The Russian and Chinese navies have practiced hunting and destroying an enemy submarine in the Sea of Japan, Russia’s defense ministry said on Wednesday, days after US President Donald Trump said he had moved two US nuclear subs closer to Russia.

Russia said the exercise involved Chinese Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft and Il-38 planes from Russia’s Pacific Fleet, as well as helicopter crews.

“As a result of effective joint actions, the ‘enemy’ submarine was promptly detected and mock-destroyed,” the defense ministry said.

“After practicing anti-submarine tasks, the crews of the Russian and Chinese ships thanked each other for their fruitful work.”

Trump said his submarine order last Friday was made in response to what he called “highly provocative” remarks by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev about the risk of war between the nuclear-armed adversaries.

The Kremlin this week played down the significance of Trump’s announcement, saying US submarines are on constant combat duty anyway, and said that “everyone should be very, very careful with nuclear rhetoric.”

The episode came at a delicate moment, with Trump threatening to impose new sanctions on Russia and buyers of its oil, including India and China, unless President Vladimir Putin agrees by Friday to end the 3-1/2-year war in Ukraine.

The anti-submarine exercise was part of a wider series of Russian-Chinese naval drills over the past week.

The two countries, which signed a “no-limits” strategic partnership shortly before Russia went to war in Ukraine in 2022, conduct regular military exercises to rehearse coordination between their armed forces and send a deterrent signal to adversaries.


‘Hard truth’: UK becoming an unsafe destination, warns uncle of slain Saudi student

Mohammed Yousef Al-Qassem, 20, was killed in Mill Park, Cambridge last Friday in what police described as an “unprovoked attack.
Mohammed Yousef Al-Qassem, 20, was killed in Mill Park, Cambridge last Friday in what police described as an “unprovoked attack.
Updated 49 min 28 sec ago
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‘Hard truth’: UK becoming an unsafe destination, warns uncle of slain Saudi student

Mohammed Yousef Al-Qassem, 20, was killed in Mill Park, Cambridge last Friday in what police described as an “unprovoked attack.
  • ‘Britain is becoming a symbol of lawlessness, insecurity and government failure,’ uncle tells The National
  • Corrigan, the man charged with killing Al-Qassem, denied the charge against him and claimed he acted in self-defense during a court appearance on Wednesday

LONDON: Britain is losing its reputation for being a safe education and travel destination, the uncle of a Saudi student who was stabbed to death in Cambridge has told The National.

Mohammed Yousef Al-Qassem, 20, was killed in the city’s Mill Park last Friday in what police described as an “unprovoked attack.” 

He was on a 10-week placement course at EF International Language Campuses Cambridge, a private English-language school.

Chas Corrigan, 21, was charged with murder and possession of a knife in a public place.

Corrigan denied the charge against him in a court appearance on Wednesday and claimed he was defending himself, Al-Ekhbariya TV reported. He will next appear in court on September 8.

Majed Abalkhail, Al-Qassem’s uncle, said family members have traveled to Cambridge to repatriate his body.

“Mohammed’s father is in Cambridge, accompanied by some of his brothers, to follow up on the procedures for bringing Mohammed home, in coordination with the Saudi Embassy,” he added.

In comments to The National, Abalkhail conveyed his “deep frustration and growing anger” over the state of law and justice in Britain.

The country, long viewed by Saudis as a top destination for education and tourism, is quickly gaining a reputation for lawlessness and insecurity, he said.

“People from various countries, including many in the Arab world, are seriously rethinking any plans to visit or study in the UK,” Abalkhail added.

“This is the hard truth being spoken in private conversations and social circles — and it’s time it was said out loud.

“Britain is rapidly losing its global reputation, not just as a center of education, but even as a travel destination.

“Sadly, Britain is becoming a symbol of lawlessness, insecurity and government failure, and this perception is spreading fast among people of all backgrounds.”

He paid tribute to the deceased and said the 20-year-old, a “calm, kind-hearted young man,” had dreamed of becoming a doctor.

Al-Qassem’s killing follows the fatal stabbing of 19-year-old Mohammed Afzal in the town of Bury last week.

Abalkhail said the fatal attacks reveal a “dangerous environment plagued by theft, stabbings and violent crime” in Britain.

Al-Qassem’s school said it is “deeply saddened” by his death.

Various police statistics, particularly those for London, have shown a rise in crime in recent years, amid growing public anger over the state of law and justice in the country.

In the year to March 2025, authorities recorded 6.6 million crimes, up from 4.2 million a decade ago.

There were 22,000 knife-related crimes in the same period, a notable increase from 14,000 in 2015.

In 2024, there were almost 17,000 knife offenses, a figure that has almost doubled in a decade.


Russia arrests man accused of passing satellite secrets to US

Russia arrests man accused of passing satellite secrets to US
Updated 06 August 2025
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Russia arrests man accused of passing satellite secrets to US

Russia arrests man accused of passing satellite secrets to US

MOSCOW: A man accused of passing Russian satellite secrets to the United States has been arrested for suspected treason and placed in pre-trial detention, a court in the Russian city of Kaliningrad said on Wednesday.

The court, in a statement on Telegram, identified the suspect only as “O” and said he was a former employee of a company producing electronic engines for space satellites.

It said he was suspected of collecting and storing information about the firm’s technology on behalf of US intelligence services between July 2021 and December 2023.

The man was placed in detention until September 30, the court said. The charge of high treason carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment.