Valentine’s Day in the Philippines: 2024 Events and Places to Go

Valentine’s Day in the Philippines is widely celebrated as a day of love and affection.

Like our Christmas, Filipinos turn Valentine’s Day into a loud, proud, and joyful celebration with family, friends, and romantic partners.

Events around the Philippines during Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is celebrated throughout the country.

Of course, depending on where you are (or where you plan to visit), you might be able to enjoy love month just in a single city… which I think is OK too.

After all, it’s not about the place – it’s about the person you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with, amiright?

Before I list all the activities held in specific areas, let’s talk about the most popular event around the country, held usually on February 14 – the Kasalang Bayan.

Kasalang Bayan (Mass Wedding)

Kasalang Bayan (translated as “town wedding”) is a community-driven mass wedding in the Philippines. It occurs on Valentine’s Day or during the love month of February.

What makes these weddings unique is that they are free. Couples just need to register their names, submit a few documents, and arrive at the scheduled wedding day all dressed and loved up.

Valentine’s Day Kasalang Bayan events are organized by local government units. They’re often conducted in public areas, such as churches, parks, and community centers.

Sometimes, the city’s mayor even officiates the wedding ceremony.

If you’re lucky to be a resident of a town that makes a big deal into their version of  Kasalang Bayan, the event can actually compete with grand weddings that cost thousands of pesos to produce.

Here’s an example, from Quezon City. This particular one Kasalang Bayan is for the union of LGBTQ partnerships.

One of the notable aspects of Kasalang Bayan events is the assistance provided to couples.

Some benefits of joining a mass wedding in the Philippines include:

• Reduced fees on marriage license and documentation
• Donations of wedding attire
• Financial support to start a new life
• Food for the reception (these are to take-home and can be as simple as pancit in bilao, or an entire lechon for each couple). In some cases, the event also extends beyond the ceremony and includes a reception for a limited number of guests per couple.
• A wedding gift.

The idea behind Kasalang Bayan goes beyond the individual celebration of love; it emphasizes the communal nature of Filipino society.

These mass weddings promote a sense of unity and shared joy, allowing couples to create lasting memories as they embark on the journey of marriage together.

Best Places to Spend Valentine’s Day in the Philippines: Luzon

For most Filipinos, malls are the best places to spend Valentine’s Day in the country.

In a country where every city has a mall or two, couples definitely feel the love at malls even without much money to spend.

Valentine’s Day around Metro Manila

This is especially true in Metro Manila.

After all, there are about 1,200 malls just in the capital alone. This number includes SM Mall of Asia – the largest mall in the Philippines (and the 6th largest in the world).

What’s expected about these malls is that they always celebrate Valentine’s Day in the grandest of ways – from decorations to Valentines dinner promos and exclusive love-themed activities.

Valentine’s Day in other Parts of Luzon

If you’re in Metro Manila and want to take day trips in other parts of the Philippines during love month, here are some of your options:

Blooming Hearts Day (Baguio City | February 14)

In Baguio, the city holds their version of mass wedding on Valentine’s Day.

The Kasalang Bayan here is notable for their “longest kissing scene” section of the wedding.

Blooming Hearts Day is also part of Baguio City’s famous flower festival – Panagbenga Festival.

Rizal’s Romantic Spas and Destinations for Couples

If you want to go on a romantic daytrip with your partner, CALABARZON is one of the nearest region comprised of several cities/provinces near Metro Manila.

CALABARZON (refers to Calamba, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) has numerous spas, resorts, and staycation options.

I’ll take a deep-dive on these resorts in future posts, I promise. For now, I recommend you check out Aquascape Lake Caliraya and their romantic, one-of-a-kind, floating nipa huts.

Best Places to Spend Valentine’s Day in the Philippines: Visayas

If you came from Cebu’s Utanon Festival or Kali-Kalihan Harvest Festival in Negros Occidental, you might be able to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the Visayas as well.

Festival of Hearts (February 1 to February 14 | Tanjay City, Negros Oriental)

Celebrated in the city of Tanjay in Negros Oriental, Festivals of Heart celebrates romance throughout town.

The Tanjay tourism council prepares a nightly harana (serenade), Baile ng Bayan, Mass Wedding or renewal of vows, pageants, love-themed parades, and so on.

Romantic Beaches of Bohol and Bantayan Island Cebu

If your partner is looking for a beach trip, the best couple-friendly destinations in the Visayas are in Bohol and Cebu’s Bantayan Island.

For those who have limited time, Bohol is best because everything is a car away from the airport. You can visit major attractions all in one day, then chill by the beach the rest of your stay.

Bantayan Island in Cebu is less accessible from the airport but it will definitely take your breath away. It’s

Best Places to Spend Valentine’s Day in Mindanao, Philippines

I have two recommendations if you wish to explore Mindanao with your partner:

• Pearl Farm in Samal Island, Davao City. It’s one of the most romantic beaches in the Philippines.
• Bukidnon Glamping at Taglucop Strawberry Hills is more wallet-friendly to those on a budget, but it’s still going to give major points to your loved ones.

Valentine’s Day 2024: What’s Your Plan?

Make sure to check out my guide about February festivals in the Philippines, especially if you’re just visiting the country and want a more culturally-focused experience.