Love hurts when Cupid gets stupid

Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2020 17:34:11 +0000

ROLLY G. REYES

To take our attention away from current worrisome topic like the coronavirus disease 2019, let me share with you my post-Valentine musings.

Love and Valentine’s Day have always been associated with romance, relationship and marriage since ancient times. The dictionary definition of “love” includes affection, attachment, devotion, fondness and passion. Valentine’s Day is still being celebrated today as a well-liked tradition, a proclamation of sorts that love is huge and eternal.

Love is best immortalized by “Romeo and Juliet,” a tragedy written by William Shakespeare about two young lovers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families.

It is common knowledge that February 14 is the day when it is traditional to send a card, often anonymously, to a person one is romantically involved with or attracted to. The day is now widely celebrated even among married couples and singles in love. This day is big business for florists, bakeshops, jewellers, restaurants, hotels and even airlines.

History says it is connected with St. Valentine. Pope Gelatius 1 was said to have established the Feast of St. Valentine in 496 AD to be celebrated every February 14 in honor of the martyr St. Valentine of Rome, who died on that date in 269 AD.

That day first became associated with romantic love within the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th century England, it grew into an occasion in which couples expressed mutual love by giving flowers and confectionery. Symbols such as the heart-shaped outline, doves and the figure of the winged Cupid with an arrow are associated with this day. In Europe, St. Valentine’s keys are given to lovers as a romantic symbol as an invitation to unlock the giver’s heart.

Nostalgic names and places that I remember during my time when celebrating Valentine’s Day: halo-halo at Little Quiapo, Bechaves flower shop, Valentine cards from Alemar’s and Goodwill bookstore, a stroll in Luneta Park, a candle-lit dinner at D&E, cake from Rolling Pin bakeshop, or a snack of bibingka from Nina’s Papagayo. Creative couples chatted with coffee and wine at Gray November, Ambos Mundos or Black Angel Discotheque. Moneyed couples flocked to Au Bon Vivant Makati and walk to nearby Where Else disco joint in Hotel Intercontinental. Munching pizzas at prestigious Italian Village was always an option.

Many friends asked me why Valentine’s Day is always represented by a heart. I told them that a kidney, liver or intestine the effect would not be as romantic.

Valentine’s Day is always spoiled when your male date offers to settle the bill “Dutch Treat” style. Another is when the guy offers to pay for the meal but somehow tells you that he has forgotten his wallet at home.

You will discover that your husband or your boyfriend is a cheating miser if he purchased a Valentines card and forgets to remove the tag “Buy one, take one.”

The moment you insert that ring on your bride’s finger, it marks the time that your credit card will need a higher credit limit.

Valentine’s Day is the day your wife wonders why you bought again another refrigerator when you just gifted her a brand new one the other day.

Married couple dates on February 14. On complicated relationships, this is the time the calendar gets erratic.

Like buying fireworks and firecrackers on January 2, better pricing of flowers and chocolates are surely available the next day, which is February 15.

It is nice to hear and say “Happy Valentines,” but was it not sweeter and more kilig before when we were younger sheepishly saying, “Will you be my Valentine?”

Husbands please be careful. Wives on V-Day may possess “actionable intelligence.”

It just started with a Valentine card. It ended with an extension card and a joint account.

The only time I enjoyed being called a “fool” is when I fell in love.

One lady told me that sex is always on my mind. Don’t you think that she should appreciate and feel safe that “it’s only in my mind?”

Impotence is Nature’s way saying “No hard feelings.”

During my time, the most popular songs immortalized by the word “love” are as follows:

– “Love is a Many Splendored Thing” by Andy Williams
– “Can’t Buy Me Love” by The Beatles
– “Love Hurts” by The Everly Brothers
– “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
– “True Love Ways” by Buddy Holly
– “Love to Love you Baby” by Donna Summer
– “Never My Love” by The Association
– “A World Without Love” by Peter and Gordon
– “Love will Keep us Together” by Captain and Tennille
– “Endless Love” by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross
– “All You Need is Love” by The Beatles
– “Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley
– “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston.

My favorite quotes on Valentine’s Day:

“A pair of powerful spectacles has sometimes sufficed to cure a person in love.” — Friedrich Nietzsche

“Gravitation can’t be held responsible for people falling in love.” — Albert Einstein
“You don’t marry someone you can live with — you marry the person who you cannot live without.” — Anonymous

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Good work, good deeds and good faith to all.

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