MANILA, Philippines - Valentine’s Day usually means roses and chocolates or love letters and romantic dates. For three celebrity couples, it also means an exquisite Valentine’s jewelry collection as expressions of love.
“Growing up, Valentine’s Day was always quite special,” model Georgia Schulze-del Rosario recalls. “My sisters and I got three roses each from my dad and heart-shaped doughnuts from my mom!” Her eyes sparkle at the memory, and her lips twitch into a smile; now married to the entrepreneur and former Azkals team member Armand del Rosario, the busy mother and wedding planner has always thought of it as a precious childhood memory.
Her husband Armand is always on his toes to make sure it remains a memorable occasion. “My wife is a kind and loving person, and a great mother,” Armand says. “I wish I could whisk her off to another country, but if work won’t permit, we’ll have to plan something romantically… Besides, it wouldn’t be a good Valentine’s Day if she knew the plans ahead of time,” Armand shares, with a playful grin.
Valentine’s Day for Mika Lagdameo-Martinez, co-owner of Elan Models International, and businessman Chucho Martinez, is celebrated closer to home. “Because most of the places are usually booked on the day, we usually just stay in,” the mother of two says “We have a DVD marathon and just have meals in bed.” It’s the simple joys that this couple indulge in — rightly so, as this February happens to be their sixth anniversary.
Stephanie Zubiri and boyfriend Jonathan Crespi believe that Valentine’s Day is a year-long event. They stress the importance of finding time, no matter how busy each other’s schedules get, to express their appreciation of the other. Stephanie currently has her hands full running her culinary think tank, Modern Epicurean Kitchen, and her new restaurant concept that dishes out delicious Mediterranean and Filipino cuisine, Atelier 317. Europ Continents president Jonathan, meanwhile, is also the distributor of Malongo coffee, a French brand that is quickly making a name for itself in the country, available in Atelier 317 and several cafes and restaurants.
“We both feel that every day should be an opportunity to do something special for one another. Jonathan always surprises me when I least expect it with flowers, and I like cooking for him his favorite foods especially when I know he had a long day at work,” Stephanie says brightly of her beau.
Mika and Chucho also choose Pandora as their gift of choice for the Valentine’s season. “I think Pandora’s quality is very good — and the prices are also affordable,” Chucho says, noting that he loves Pandora’s ring-upon-ring and earrings that his wife wears. Mika, who also loves the charm bracelets, puts it succinctly: “Personalized gifts always come with a story — and more than anything, that is what counts.”
Pandora is available at Lucerne Shangri-La Mall, Greenbelt 5, Wrist_Pod-Bonifacio High Street, Newport Mall, and soon to open another concept store at the Super Block, Bonifacio High Street.