IT’S the love month but your pockets are empty? 

This is one of the most frightening scenarios this February. For couples who are tightening their belts due to bills that are piling up, February 14 can be a day of stress because their salary will only come in on the 15th. (The single ones feel it, too, by the way). 

But dates don’t have to be so grand and expensive. Sometimes you can just go for a walk with your special someone and make your presence felt.  

Have you planned your Valentine’s date yet? If not, here are some affordable date ideas you could try:

Movie night at home

Expect a bunch of couples to flock to the cinemas this February 14. That’s why watching movies at home is one of the ideal dates this Valentine’s Day. Just prepare some pica-pica snacks, and you’re good to go.

But the challenge is: what movie is worth watching, considering the thousands of films available on streaming platforms? Well, you have days to prepare, so plan ahead.

Street food date

Are you guys into walking-after-work dates? Street food may be a good recommendation for you. Since street food vendors are scattered along many streets, you can choose what food can bring butterflies to your stomach in a cheaper way. 

Make your kwek kwek worth remembering, not for the sauce but for the one you are with on the 14th.

Museum hopping

Museums aren’t just for satisfying your curiosity or fascination about the country’s tradition and heritage; they can also serve other purposes. There are various museums to choose from if you want to bring your partner on a date and find refuge from the hustle and bustle of the metro.

Here are some of the museums you can check out this Valentine’s Day:

1. National Museum of Fine Arts
2. National Museum of Anthropology
3. National Museum of Natural History
4. Metropolitan Museum of Manila
5. Museum of Contemporary Art and Design
6. Drawing Room
7. Vinyl on Vinyl
8. Artinformal
9. Silverlens
10. Underground Gallery
11. 1335 Mabini

Library dates

Library hopping has been a valuable activity for bibliophiles. If your partner is a bookworm and has a great love for the written word, library dates are ideal and monumental. Spend the day indulging  your love for books with the love of your life.

Here are some of the libraries you can visit in Metro Manila:

1. Quezon City Public Library
2. CCP Library and Archives, Pasay City
3. Filipinas Heritage Library, Makati City
4. National Library of the Philippines, Manila City
5. Aurelio Montinola, Jr. Library, Makati City
6. Lopez Museum and Library, Manila City 
7. Reading Club 2000, Makati City
8. Ortigas Foundation Library, Pasig City 
9. Goethe Institut Philippinen, Makati City

Make every moment count. As they say, it’s not about the place, it’s about the person you’re with. 

Picnic dates

A picnic is a perfect choice for an outside date because it is memorable, it is simple to organize, and it does not have to be a huge ordeal. All you have to do is bring your own snacks and a comfortable blanket, and find a good location. 

Need help figuring out where to execute a picnic date? Here are some picnic date locations:

1. UP Sunken Garden, Quezon City
2. Salcedo Park, Makati
3. Rizal Park, Manila 
4. Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City
5. Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City

You can watch the sunset, read books, listen to music, and take memorable pictures with your special someone.