The Valentine’s 2013 Romantic Gameplan in Manila

(Image credit: subbotina / 123RF Stock Photo)

Valentine’s is around the corner. And if you are like me and most guys, we usually plan the last minute. Since the actual V-day falls on a Thursday, that presents an interesting predicament for Romeos because we have to plan for the day itself, Friday night, and the weekend.

I’ve done some initial research for you in this blog post to help you decide. Most of the reservations will be filled up this weekend, so you have to figure out what to do quickly.

Here’s the gameplan for the 4-day Valentine’s weekend:

1. Valentine Shows to Watch

On that weekend, there are 4 shows you can choose from:

1). BOEING BOEING is Repertory Philippines’ sexy, romantic comedy about athletic playboy Bernard‘s (DAVID BIANCO) love escapade with three flight attendants: lovely as Sophia Loren Italian Gabriella (GIANNINA OCAMPO), outlandish über German Gretchen (CARLA DUNAREANU), and lusty American Gloria (JEN BIANCO). 

Read the Review by Vlad: Review: ‘Boeing’ takes audiences on sexy, funny flight

Watch the last 8pm showing of BOEING BOEING on February 16, 2013, Saturday at Onstage, 2/F, Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas cor. Legazpi St., Makati City. For further inquiries regarding the details of the show, please call 0932-888-56-88. Ticket price at P1,000, P800, P500.

2). THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG is 9 Works’ romantic musical comedy featuring the hit song “Fallin”, which stars Nikki Gil and Lorenz Martinez. It is a musical with a book by Neil Simon, based on the real love story of composer Marvin Hamlisch and lyricist Carole Bayer Sager

 If you can only watch one, and you’re looking for a cheesy but fun star-studded show, this is the show to watch this Valentine’s.

The play will run at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati from February 8 to March 3. Watch it on Friday or Saturday night, 8pm or matinee shows at 3.30pm, on Saturday and Sunday. For tickets, call 9 Works Theatrical at 586-7105, 0917-5545560 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.

3). A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM is Ballet Philippines’ Shakespeare Ballet, performed by our world-class ballerinas including Katherine Trofeo. It features the adventures of four young Athenian lovers and a group of six amateur actors, who are controlled and manipulated by the fairies who inhabit the forest in which most of the play is set

Watch this for a classy Valentine’s date.

The show runs at CCP Main Theater only during the Valentine’s Weekend (Feb. 15, Friday 3pm & 8pm, Feb. 16, Saturday 2pm & 6pm, Feb. 17, Sunday 2pm & 6pm). For tickets, call Ballet Philippines 551-0221, 551-1003 or Ticketworld 891-9999.

4). SPRING AWAKENING is Ateneo BlueRep’s finale offering for its 21st season featuring the Tony Award-winning rock musical. It tells the story of teenagers experiencing the conflicting emotions, confusing thoughts, and brave curiosity of adolescence. The free-spirited intellectual Melchior is frustrated over the close-minded and conservative nature of society. His buddy Moritz, while being pressured by his school’s unfair system, is haunted by wild sexual dreams. One of Melchior and Moritz’s childhood friends, Wendla, is curious about the topic of sexuality, but her mother refuses to talk about it.

Watch this if you’d like a more indie scene and a sexy evening.

Ateneo Blue Repertory’s SPRING AWAKENING will be staged on February 14-17, 20-24, 27-28 and March 1, 2013 at the Rizal Mini Theatre, G/F Faber Hall, Ateneo de Manila University. For ticket inquiries and reservations, contact Joanna Kennedy (0915 625-1625).

2. Places to Eat on Valentine’s Day

I’ve summarized in two separate blog posts the tried-and-tested restaurants in the North (Manila, Mandaluyong, Pasig, San Juan, Quezon City, Marikina, Antipolo and Pampanga) and in the South (Pasay, Makati, BGC, Muntinlupa, Paranaque, Laguna, Tagaytay, and Cavite).

The posts provide short descriptions and the contact information of the Top 14 Romantic restaurants in the North and South as featured in Southern Eats and Northern Eats 2013.

Most couples decide where to go on a romantic date based on:

• LOCATION. Whatever is most convenient to both and how much travel time is needed.
• TYPE OF AMBIANCE. This could be private dining, intimate, garden restaurant, far away from everyone, or a surprise getaway.
• CUISINE. The most romantic cuisines are usually French, Italian, European, Continental, and Filipino. Make sure there are options for vegetarian and healthy options in the menu.
• BUDGET. For a typical romantic date, you’ll spend anywhere from P1,000 to P3,000/head depends on what base you are in. Ask ahead if the restaurant accepts credit cards.

Manila’s Top 14 Romantic Restaurants in the South!

1. ANTONIO’S. Continental Garden Restaurant | Tagaytay
2. SALA. European | Makati City
3. LA GIROLLE. French Intimate Dining | Bonifacio Global City
4. MARCIA ADAMS. Italian Garden Restaurant | Tagaytay
5. MASSETO. Continental | Makati City
6. CHATEAU HESTIA. European Garden Restaurant | Tagaytay
7. MY MOTHER’S GARDEN. Continental Garden Restaurant | Pasay City
8. THE GOOSE STATION. European | Bonifacio Global City
9. CHAMPETRE. French | Bonifacio Global City
10. L’ENTRECOTE. French | Bonifacio Global City
11. MASSIMO FARM. Italian/Mediterranean Garden Restaurant | Tagaytay
12. KASBAH. Moroccan/ Mediterranean | Bonifacio Global City
13. VILLA CAFE. Filipino | Makati City
14. LE BISTRO D AGATHE. French | Makati City

Read Complete Description and Contact Info:  
SOUTHERN EATS: Manila’s Top 14 Romantic Restaurants in the South (for Valentines)!

 

Manila’s Top 14 Romantic Restaurants in the North!

1. LOLO DAD’S. Continental | Manila
2. LA COCINA DE TITA MONING. Spanish/ Filipino | Manila
3. VIEUX CHALET. Swiss/ European | Antipolo
4. IL PICCINO TRATTORIA. Italian | San Juan
5. LEMURIA. Continental/ Mediterranean | San Juan
6. BRASSERIE CICOU. French Bistro | San Juan
7. NINYO. Fusion Cuisine | Quezon City
8. CAFE JUANITA. Filipino | Pasig City
9. CHEF BAMBI’S DAMASO RESIDENCIA. Private Dining | San Juan
10. ISABELO. Italian | Marikina
11. MAIMEE’S. Comfort Food Garden Restaurant | San Juan
12. BELLINI’S. Italian | Cubao eXpo
13. 14 FOUR CAFE. Filipino/ Continental | Taytay, Rizal
14. CASA ROCES. Filipino/ Spanish | Manila

Read Complete Description and Contact Info: 
NORTHERN EATS: Manila’s Top 14 Romantic Restaurants in the North (For Valentines)!

 

 

3. Special Chocolates for Valentine’s

A lot of women just love yummy chocolates. Somehow, Valentine’s wouldn’t be complete without it. It’s something you can give to show your love, and something you can enjoy together with family and friends.

VILLA DEL CONTE CHOCOLATES

Villa del Conte Chocolates is one of our favorite chocolates in Manila. You can buy their special limited edition Valentine’s red gift box with a gold heart band. It comes with 385 grams of assorted praline sticks and dome chocolates for P1,480.

Check out this guide: VILLA DEL CONTE Chocolates Guide and Our Favorite Flavors!

 

I like this special Amore Box from Villa del Conte, which comes in a beautiful pink heart-shaped box. It showcases the Villa del Conte truffle collection with fig fillet, marron glace (chestnut), and walnut for only P380 for the box. (Note: The box is small, with a height as high as an iPhone.)

This would make a great after-dinner gift. Perfect for dessert and a happy ending. 🙂

Villa del Conte is available in the following locations: 3F Shangri-la Plaza Edsa, 2F Greenbelt 5, 3F TriNoma, Ground Floor Resorts World Manila.

 

RISA CHOCOLATES

Risa Chocolates is one of our favorite artisan chocolates that is proudly Filipino made.
Here are their offerings and special limited packaging for the Valentine season: 

Truffles and Pralines Valentine’s Box

Includes our well loved truffles and pralines. Truffles: Classic, Cerveza Negra, Cookie Dough, Dark Rum. Pralines: Earl Grey, Salted Caramel, Hot Cocoa, Tiramisu, Crispy Hazelnut, Dark Mint.

[One Dozen (Truffles and Pralines):  P450 | Half Dozen Truffles or Pralines Box: P230]

PLUS: Happy Lolly (single chocolate lollipop) and I Love You Lollies (3 chocolate lollipops). Available in our signature Dark and/or Milk Chocolate.

[Happy Lolly – P120. | I Love You Lollies – P350 | One Dozen Lollies – upon request or order]

  

Major and Minor Crave Bars
Delicious chocolates to satisfy a major or minor chocolate craving! Flavors are Coffee, Venezuela Milk (plain and with hazelnut — our version of a Dark Milk Chocolate Bar!), Roasted Milk with Pili (We tweaked white chocolate into something that tastes like pastillas!), Seventy One (our darkest chocolate bar), and our all Filipino South Cotabato bars (60%, 70%, and 60% with coco sugar – our version of sugar free using natural sweeteners!).

[Minor Crave Bars – P130 to P190 | Major Crave Bars – P230 to P375]

RISA CHOCOLATES
The Risa Chocolate Kitchen in CRM Avenue, BF Almanza, Las Pinas.
For deliveries: Multiply.com/risachocolate (truffles and pralines excluded) 
Email: chocolates@risa.ph
Telephone: +632 622-3436 
Mobile: +63 917 5657185
For more info: Brochure (Front) | Brochure (Inside)

Related Blog Post: Risa Chocolates! Ultimate Taste Test 5.0 Overall Winner

 

4. Something Different: Valentine’s Manila Bay Cruise

On Valentine’s Day itself, you can go on a romantic Manila Bay Cruise with 10 other couples over a plated menu provided by Bizu. Call Justin Po of Realship Yachts now at 0917 521-2944 to reserve.

 

5. High-Altitude Lovin’: Out of Town Baguio V-Date

There’s a new, secret romantic place in Baguio called C Boutique owned by Charley Antonio of Charley’s in Lipa, Batangas fame.

Charley, together with Chef Philip Golding, created a special Italian Valentine’s Dinner @ C Boutique.

4-Course Italian Valentine’s Dinner
(February 14 to 16, 2013)

ANTIPASTI: Crostini Con Funghi (Mushroom Crostini)
PRIMO PIATTO: Minestrone di Verdure (Clear Vegetable Soup)
SECONDO PIATTO:
Salmone Su Fonolo di Spinaci (Baked Salmon with Creamed Parmesan Spinach)  OR
Filetto Grillato Con Pure di Patate in Olio Tartufato (Medallions of Grilled Beef with Truffle Mash)
DOLCE: Panna Cotta Fragola (Strawberry Panna Cotta) 

The lovely Italian dinner is paired with Italian wines provided by Giuseppe Rondini of My Wine.

C BOUTIQUE, BAGUIO
No. 5 Arellano cor. Moran, Barangay Gibraltar, Baguio City, Philippines
Baguio Office:  (+63 74) 619-0158, (+63 999) 886-2755, (+63 917) 534-3818
Manila Office:  (+632)945-7777 / (63 908) 887-0596 / (63 917) 865-5334
Email: inquiry@cboutiquehotel.com
Website: http://www.cboutiquehotel.com/ 

 

Cheers to a stress-free and Happy Valentine’s weekend celebration!

Live an Awesome Life,

 
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Follow @antondiaz and Like our Official Facebook Page: Our Awesome Planet 🙂 
If you have tips on awesome food and travel destinations, please email me at anton@diaz.ph.

Full Disclosure: I wrote this blog post myself, and it expresses my own opinions.

Southern Eats and Northern Eats is a Hinge Inquirer Book in partnership with Our Awesome Planet. Villa del Conte is a co-presentor of our Northern Italian Culinary and Pilgrimage Tour. Risa Chocolates is owned by my wife’s first cousin Pam. We love musical plays, and we usually watch it for free courtesy of our theater friends.

 As a policy, I don’t receive compensation from food and travel places we feature in the blog. 

P.S. Let me know if there are interesting new things to do this Valentine’s Day in the Comments section. Feel free to promote your own Valentine’s shows, dinners and events in the Comments section.