VOX POPULI: What does Valentine’s Day mean to you?

While Valentine’s Day is usually meant a day to celebrate love, there are many others who see it as just another day, a Super Bowl day for football fans, or Quirkyalone Day for those who want to celebrate themselves. Your day, your celebration.

For this Vox Populi, we asked around what Valentine’s Day is for some people on island. As a bonus, we also asked them how people can express love without actually saying “I love you.”

Sablan

“Valentine’s Day is a day of awareness where we recognize what makes us human and alive—our emotions. It is a day we celebrate that part of our humanity. One can show love through the way they treat others, in action. A wise man once told me, you see a person’s character through the things they do for people who can’t do anything for them. To me, that’s love.”
—Tyra Lyn Sablan

Caleon

“Love from my family means Valentine’s Day is everyday for me. How can one express love? By giving them flowers, kissing, embracing and, most of all, spending time with them. Valentine’s Day is special not only for couples and those who are in love. It is also for those who are busy and who have been forgotten. You can also express love and celebrate with friends and family. Show them how grateful and blessed you are to have them in your life. Valentine’s is also an opportunity to pamper and care for your loved ones, so it is a great time to bring them to our salon here in Middle Road.”
—Michelle Caleon, Perfect Image Beauty Salon

Staffler

“Valentine’s Day means a day to share and be reminded of the people you love the most. Valentine’s Day is for everyone! Moms, dads, cousins, grandparents, and children too! I have always loved that book about love languages because it’s a perfect example of how we can share love without actually saying it. These range from acts of service, to praise, to physical touch to gifting, to spending quality time. We often will give love the way we want to receive it. I always seem to be drawn toward acts of service and quality time. When I love someone I will show it in those ways.”
—Rep. Leila Staffler

“To me, Valentine’s Day is the ultimate reminder to appreciate the love that we have and receive in our lives. Through this pandemic and all the hardships, we still have loved ones that continue to help us in our lives. Happy Valentine’s Day to all those folks. Also, how can one best express love without saying “I love you”? We all know the saying, ‘Actions speak louder than words’ and showing someone that you love them does not only mean giving affection. It also includes being kind, respectful, understanding, and patient. But there are many other ways to express love, these are just a few.”
—James Benavente

Nelson

“My husband and I have made a point to NOT celebrate Valentine’s Day. No cards, no chocolate, no flowers. Neither of us likes the idea of only a single day to make a point of showing how we feel. I’d rather have coffee made for me and a kiss on the way out the door on a random Tuesday than a special day once a year.”
—Ali Nelson

Ignacio

“Actually, everyday must be Valentine’s Day. Seeing your partner, son or daughter is what makes it so special. A simple hug is more than enough to say I love you.”
—Francis Ignacio

Danaher

“For me, Valentine’s Day is a day to reflect on those I love and to let them know how much I value them. A small act of kindness, like cooking their favorite meal or surprising them with their favorite candy—something to let them know I appreciate them. It’s a chance to thank them for giving me the gift of loving them. I think the best way to express love without saying ‘I love you’ is to practice selfless acts of patience and kindness, especially during moments when they aren’t acting very lovable!”
—Arron Danaher

Santos

“Valentine’s Day means appreciating and loving someone unconditionally, not for who he or she is but for what he or she is. One can best express love without saying ‘I love you’ by giving your utmost attention, and most of all, by respecting and caring for the person wholly.”
—Sen. Teresita Santos

Cruz

“Valentine’s Day is a day to show your love to your families and friends. Every year, my mom sends me a Valentine’s Day gift. Not necessarily that it is your husband/boyfriend or wife/girlfriend is the celebrant, but it’s all the people who you feel you love. The best way to express love without saying ‘I love you’ is to spend time with your families and friends. Time is something that we can never take back and [it] feels so heartwarming when people take the time to greet you, meet with you, call you, or just be with you. That’s most precious to me when it comes to showing a person that I love them.”
—Zabrina Mae S. Cruz