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Serenading the Filipino Way (V-day special)

It's almost the time of the year when red roses, Cupid arrows, chocolate hearts and lots of other symbols of love come out for the young and old to express a feeling of love for others. I've seen people celebrate this occasion with lots of zeal and jitters.

I've seen people express their feelings to each other through videos, on a giant screen in a stadium, words on letters or just the old fashioned talking. However, I hadn't seen the Filipino way. Around lunch time today, a guy walked up to a girl (with his buddy holding a guitar) and started singing I'm Yours by Jason Mraz.

At first I wasn't sure what it was, maybe just a gimmick or probably the guy was serious (I don't know that yet). However I do know now that in Filipino culture Filipino men would make harana (serenade) the women at night and sing songs of love and affection. And it's pretty common, something inherited from Spanish culture.

Interestingly the Tagalog (local language spoken by Filipinos) word for love is 'mahal'. So ain't love grand in Philippines (all pun intended). For those who didn't understand the subtext here; mahal in Hindi means a palace. I found that serenading used to be common in good old days; though in some form it's still surviving. 

I have seen so far that Filipinos are generous people who always have a smile on their face. It is a culture that is a mix of east and west. Somehow it has managed to get the best out of both. The openness with tints of shyness - that's how I would describe this country.

Salamat!

Kung gusto may paraan, kung ayaw may dahilan.
One finds a way, or finds a reason to do something.
A saying in Tagalog (I found it online)
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Location: BSA Tower, 108 Legazpi Street, Makati City 1200, Philippines

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