1. Unleash your inner ‘queer’ at the Queer Arts Festival

Feb 13. Paint the town vibrant colors at the Metro Manila Queer Arts Festival. This year’s theme is entitled “Queerception” and it promises to be a multi-arts festival within a multi-arts festival — whatever that means. Immerse yourself in this fun LGBT gathering and enjoy the lineup of 18 visual artists, seven films, four musical performances and five spoken word artists. From 7pm, Pineapple Lab, 6071 Palma St, Makati City. Suggested minimum donation PHP250.

2. Shop at the Katipunan Weekend Market!

Feb 12-14. Spend a wholesome Valentine’s weekend at the Katipunan Weekend Market Three. Expect yummy artisan food, awesome music and a fun shopping experience. Bring your whole friends and family — there’s bound to be a something for everyone. 10am-10pm. UP Town Center, Katipunan AVenue, Quezon City. Free.

3. Go to a Caligraphy Workshop

Feb 13. Words and letters spell romance. Learn the art of nice writing at a calligraphy workshop. Also enjoy poetry readings by spoken word artists Juan Miguel Severo, Romancing Venus, and more. Participants are encouraged to bring their own calligraphy materials. 10am-6pm, Glorietta 2, New Activity Center, Ayala Avenue, Makati. Free.

4. Learn to cook

Feb 13. Want to surprise a special someone on Valentine’s Day? Learn how to cook a dish or two in this one-day Valentine Dish Preparation workshop by Romain Riviera. 6PM. Kitchen, 7/F A SPACE Greenbelt. All meal entrance + main for only PHP 2,500 and PHP 2,700 with desert.

5. Hold someone’s hand at a gig

Feb 13. This is the perfect pre-Valentine’s Day da moves. Attraction! Reaction! Presents I Wanna Hold Your Handwith Halik ni Gringo, Rusty Machines, Ourselves the Elves, Basement Lung. The event is also the music video launch of Easy Boys and Easy Girls by the Strangeness. 930pm. Route 196 Bar, 196-A Katipunan Extension. PHP 250 includes a drink.

6. Support a fund-raising art exhibit

Feb 13. The Life-Crisis Project Launch is an interesting way to help artists who, at some point in their lives, questioned themelves. Look at artworks influenced by childhood experiences, memories, secrets or dreams. Works of a total of 25 artists will be on exhibit. Their works have been tranformed to postcards to help raise funds. 10am-10pm. Lucky Chinatown Mall, Binondo, Manila. Admission is free but please buy food at Exile.

7. Go cheesy with a “love lock”

Feb 13 & 14. Channel a European Valentine’s Day celebration in McKinley Hill’s Venice Grand Central. Enjoy Italian dining, ride a Gondola, and declare your love with a lovelock installation. 7PM. Venice Grand Central, McKinley Hills, The Fort.

8. Enjoy a nice meal (not a date)

Feb 14. It’s dinner. For two. On Feb 14. But no, it doesn’t have to be a date! Take advantage of discounted meals, which happen to be available on Valentine’s Day. There will be a nice view, there will be wine, and most importantly, there will be food. Everyone has to eat anyway (with a date or none). From 7pm. Hotel Vivere, Muntinlupa CIty. PHP2900 per person. Paid reservations are recommended for guaranteed seats.

9. Watch Deadpool

Ongoing. Get your dose of violence, manly humor and nerdiness in the comic book film, Deadpool. This Marvel film is the eight installment of the X-Men series. Ryan Reynolds is sure to entertain and amuse. While you’re at it, grab some chimichangas too! Deadpool is showing in cinemas nationwide. Buy your tickets in advance.

10. Have ice cream for happy hour

Fri, Sat & Sun of February. Want a malamig na Valentine’s day? McDo is keeping things cool with their sundae happy hour. Buy an ice cream sundae and get another one for free! Up for grabs are the Strawberry Kiss Oreo sundae and the Red Velvet McFloat. 3pm-6pm. Available in Metro Manila Dessert Centers, see list here.