MANILA, Philippines – Valentine’s Day is here again, and those who want some help planning the perfect date will find in this list classic romantic date ideas perfect for any occasion, with new places to discover and new events to experience especially on this month of love.

Off-the-beaten path: Romantic PH destinations for Valentine’s Day

1) Explore the National Museum’s Art Gallery

February in our country is not only about hearts and love but also about arts. So why not go for an art appreciation date and walk around the National Museum?

Those who have not been to the museum for years are in for a surprise. New galleries were added to the museum’s National Art Gallery in November 2012. In fact, the museum’s makeover began in 2011, with renovations and the installation of new art galleries and new artworks.

You can expect quite a different museum now.

For more information, visit the National Museum’s website. 

For those who want to take advantage of arts month and go on more art appreciation dates, check out the arts month schedule to know upcoming art events in the metro.

2) Walk around Intramuros and have a romantic dinner in your restaurant of choice

This walled city’s churches, plazas, cobbled streets, and other heritage structures are a visual treat for any date. And, during Valentine’s Day, its restaurants – many of them quaint garden ones – have special Valentine lunch or dinner offerings.

For a different kind of dinner, go up Bayleaf Hotel’s rooftop restaurant to catch the sunset on Manila’s cityscape. Bayleaf is at the corner of Muralla and Victoria streets, beside Mapua Institute of Technology.

4) Catch the Manila Bay sunset

Walking along Roxas Boulevard or simply sitting side by side on the seawall and waiting for the sky to change color makes for a classic romantic date.

Long before the sun starts to set, though, you and your date can walk through Plaza Rajah Sulayman (also along Roxas Boulevard), check out the huge fountain, and cross the plaza to take in Malate Church’s centuries-old architecture.

5) Walk through colorful Binondo

With brightly-colored charms for luck and other items on display, Binondo’s streets are always alive with color. And, with February being the month of Chinese New Year, you and your date can expect more color with charms and other items for good luck for the Year of the Water Snake. 

Plus, you won’t go hungry with all the street food and restaurants in this area! If you want a premium and more comfortable dining experience to rest your tired feet, you can head over to the 6-month-old Lucky Chinatown Mall at Reina Regente Street, near Binondo Church. 

Even if it’s just for a visit, this mall’s Chinatown Walk is worth checking out for its Western architecture and Chinese lanterns. Snap a photo of Chinatown Walk, post it on the net, and those who have never seen it may easily mistake the place for Macau.

6) Walk along Mall of Asia’s (MOA) seaside and ride the MOA Eye

Mall of Asia’s seaside, aside from offering a view of the bay and sunset, already has attractions similar to those in an amusement park. Popular and easily noticeable among them is the MOA Eye, which is best ridden at sunset for a more picturesque view of the bay and the city. At night, the MOA Eye flashes in different colors like Christmas lights.

If you and your date want to avoid the crowds, though, don’t go on the same day as the PyroMusical competitions.

7) Watch fireworks at the PyroMusical Competition at MOA

To those who are prepared to brave the crowds, what can be more romantic than watching fireworks paint the sky while holding hands with your date? The Philippine International PyroMusical Competition among different countries starts this Saturday, February 16, and will run every Saturday until March 23 at Mall of Asia’s seaside area.

It’s a perfect post-Valentine date if you are willing to join the crowds, or you can opt to pay for premium tickets for a more comfortable date.

For schedules and ticket fees, visit SM Tickets. – Rappler.com 

Claire Madarang is a writer, traveler, and seeker. Her wanderlust takes her on adventures like backpacking for 7 weeks straight. Her seeking leads her to different wellness practices like meditation and healthy (mostly vegetarian) eating. Follow her adventures, tips, and epiphanies at her blog, Traveling Light.