Mandaue makes Valentines Day special for singles

CEBU, Philippines — On the day of hearts, the Mandaue City government is having a singles' express lane, prioritizing those who are single in the processing of their documents at the City Hall.

Christine Marie Bulanon, head of the Quality Management Systems, said this is the second time the city government conducted this activity in line with the celebration of Valentine’s Day on February 14.

"Kay at least, atimanon sila, and maka feel sila ug pagmahal, nga nag-care ang Mandaue para nila," Bulanon told reporters in a press conference. (This is done so that the singles can feel loved, that Mandaue City cares for them.)

The single men and women can process their needed documents such as cedula, business permits, police clearance, including the issuance of solo parent’s identification cards and assessments of their business establishments.

Aside from a special lane, a band will serenade the transacting singles from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to avoid getting bored while waiting for their turn to be entertained.

Yesterday, a booth was displayed outside the Sangguniang Panlungsod Office, where small heart-shaped papers were posted by several City Hall employees and some passers-by on the Nagmahal and Nasaktan boards.

Bulanon added there will be a fortune teller on February 14 ready to read the future of their hearts.

To make the day extra special, the City Treasurer's Office advised its personnel to wear colors that correspond to the status of the heart.

Those wearing red means they are in a relationship, black for those who are bitter or mourning, brown for friendzoned, pink for waiting for someone special, and blue for broken-hearted.

Violet will be for those with complicated status, white for single, yellow for those who are searching, green for those in a moving on stage, gray for no boyfriend or girlfriend since birth, while orange will be for the one who got away (TOTGA).

"Those who will be wearing the uniform will be branded as kill-joy," Bulanon added.

Under the memorandum of City Treasurer Regal Oliva signed yesterday, the color-coding is just for fun during Valentine’s Day. (FREEMAN)