[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’St. Valentine’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY SONIA D. DAQUILA
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=’custom’ color=’#0a0a0a’]
Monday, February 13, 2017
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=’custom’ color=’#0a0a0a’]
TODAY is Feb. 13, a prelude to a grand celebration for those who are in love, for those who are broken-hearted and for those who are forgotten or abandoned.
As early as January, malls gradually change their looks: from green, red, silver and gold, from happy Christmas wreath and balls to heart-shaped reds, roses, chocolates, balloons and stuffed toys, from the greetings of “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Valentines.” But from where did this exciting celebration began and when?
Rome has its St. Valentinus, loved by those who are in love. In the 3rd Century, Emperor Claudius II ordered the drafting of young men to military training for defense and conquest and banned the celebration of marriage. Fr. Valentinus, however, defied this order and continued celebrating weddings and because of this he was executed.
His memory lives on for upholding the basic human rights in the pursuit of happiness, to love and beloved, and to raise a family. In England, one of their favorite saints is St. Valentine. Moved by his compassion to prisoners who were treated rudely, he helped some of them escape from prison, but he was not able to escape when he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter. He sent the first valentine card when he sent her a message, ending in “Your Valentine.”
Expression of love is highly commercialized today. Visit malls. Go to hotels or motels and you will be amused by different gimmicks. There are beds strewn with petals of roses. There are heart-shaped throw pillows, piped-in music, and for a handsome price, expect for bouquets of roses, wine, chocolates, energy drinks, condoms, jellies, and even edible under wears for the thrill of the night.
Valentine’ season creates some sense of exhilaration among the young and old who are in love in different ways – from erotic, filial to platonic. Love abounds on Valentine’s Day. Recall the pathetic story of a mother and her infant, trapped in the rubbles of a building that collapsed in a strong earthquake in Baguio City. There was neither food nor water for several days. The mother was nursing her infant until her breasts ran out of milk. Out of desperation, she pricked her finger and let the infant suck her blood while she fed on the rainwater in a pool until they were rescued.
I always smile when I recall the dawn of Feb. 14 years back. I was lying on bed since I had a miscarriage. A couple entered the hospital. The noise disturbed me, and I asked the nurses what was going on.
Laughingly, they told me that the young girl bled profusely and the young boy left her there, afraid that their parents might discover what they had done.
These love stories from Rome, England, and from the Philippines teach us some lessons. Enjoy this lovely season, but beware. Happy Valentines! (delsocorrodaquila/PN)
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
