Dennis Valdes, Sea Princess, Lenard Tiongson, Shaira Luna, John Pagaduan, Kaye Quiacos

Chinese New Year was just last week, and now it’s time to prepare for Valentine’s Day. Fortuitously, the color theme remains red.

In this season of love, Valentine concerts, special gifts and dining packages are offered to spice up the occasion.

For those just starting their relationship, I suggest getting a gift like Miss Dior, the newest perfume of Dior Parfums. It has a vibrant and sensual floral scent, a hint of a wish for everlasting love.

As part of the launch campaign of #missdiorforlove, photographer Shaira Luna was tapped to shoot photos of love relationships. For the photo with my hubby Dennis, I wore a gown from the collection of fashion designer Rosenthal Tee and Karimadon. He sported something old and blue.

Other subjects included Tim Yap with his mom Benita, and siblings Cris Albert and Ana Abad Santos with their mom Wanda Louwallien.

Valentine’s Day dinner date at Hilton Manila

‘In-pool’ Valentine dinner

New hotels in the metro have added to the dining options for Valentine’s Day.

Hilton Manila has its Valentine’s poolside dinner, a unique “in-pool” dining experience exclusive to 10 couples who are willing to literally get their feet wet. Dinner will be served on the shallowest part of the heated pool.

The picturesque, romantic Valentine’s Day dinner showcases a five-course Degustation Menu at P5,000++ per couple for poolside dining, and at P7,000++ per couple for “in-pool” dining. Each table will be getting an adorable teddy bear.

For an even better surprise, think of a staycation to remember in one of Hilton Manila’s 357 guest rooms.

Hilton Manila, 1 Newport Boulevard, Newport City, Pasay City. Visit www.hiltonmanila.com; tel. 2397788

Vina Francisco, Ricky Toledo, Chito Vijandre

For foodies

For couples who love to cook or lovers who are budding chefs, a gift of a kitchen appliance will be a thrill.

Viking Range is a top-of-the-line supplier of kitchen appliances for Filipino homes. A visit to the Viking Range Showroom at Westgate Commercial Center in Alabang will surely impress all food lovers.

The Viking Range Showroom includes a working kitchen, which has been a stage for the country’s top chefs to execute wonderful cooking presentations.

For three consecutive years, the kitchen appliance brand has given significant auction items in support of Red Charity Gala’s fundraising activities.

The annual charity event showcases Filipino ingenuity through artistic executions. It has been raising funds for the Philippine National Red Cross and Assumption High School Batch 1981 Foundation for 10 years. Last year, a Viking Range 30” Rangetop was auctioned for charity.

Nannette de Leon, Sea Princess, Popsie Gamboa, Mara Oledan and Claudette Cordon

Together with Tedrick Yau, I recently organized a lunch with an intimate group of friends at the Viking Range Showroom. Chef JP Anglo prepared a menu dominated by the rich bounty of the sea.

For starters, we had the creative and healthy Tangigue Kinilaw with Avocado on Toast. Then we enjoyed a back-to-back seafood delight, Salt & Pepper Prawns with Guinamos Aioli, and Baked Tuna Belly with Hot Soybean Crab Flakes.

Chef JP also served a delectable Roasted Chicken in Batwan Curry, and for dessert, Turon dipped in Chocnut Syrup.

Viking Range Showroom, Unit 205, Westgate Commercial Center, Filinvest, Muntinlupa City; tel. 8281363; visit www.VikingRange.com.ph; follow @VikingRangePH on Facebook and Instagram.

Tinkay Prieto , Sea Princess , Camille Juco, Tedrick Yau, Popsie Gamboa

Exotic destinations

As for me, the gift of travel is most precious and truly valued. Visiting exotic destinations is romantic and memorable.

If you haven’t planned your 2019 travels, check out the 26th edition of the TravelTour Expo this weekend at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia. More than 120,000 visitors are expected to visit over a thousand booths at the Expo this year.

Incidentally, my fave travel agency for bespoke tours, Corporate International Travel & Tours (Citti) will be at TravelTour Expo. Check it out at the second floor of SMX, Booth 560-563.

JP Cabalza, Shan David, Sea Princess, Joby Belmonte

Citti will feature its 2019 leisure programs to destinations such as the Finnish Lapland and old town Estonia, the Caucasus Region of Armenia and Georgia, the jewels of South America Brazil and Peru, African safaris in Kenya and Tanzania, the Holy Land, Marian Pilgrimage, and other destinations that you need to tick off your bucket list.

For Citti’s 25th anniversary promotion, patrons who book a leisure program are eligible to win a Rimowa luxury travel case. Citti is also offering heavily discounted airfares to both business and economy class. Skip the long lines, e-mail info@ corporateintl.net or send a Viber message to 0917-6316541.