Valentine’s Day was special for a group of fun-loving people from City Harvest’s Filipino Fellowship.
While many went overseas for holidays and families were engaging in Chinese New Year festivities, a group of Filipinos decided to celebrate Valentine’s Day and set hearts on fire with “F.L.A.M.E.S.”
F.L.A.M.E.S. is a popular game in Philippines that youngsters play with the “objects of their desire”.
Themed “F.L.A.M.E.S., which stands for: Fun, Loving Affair Made Extra Special,” Feb. 14 this year was special as 80 Filipinos made their way to Coffee Club at Clarke Quay to spend Valentine’s Day in a novel way. Organized by the City Harvest Filipino Ministry, the gathering sought to establish social networking among Filipinos in Singapore, and to strengthen ties between couples, families and friends.
Games like “Konek Ka ‘Jan!” (players form groups according to given categories), “May Tama Ka!” (a trivia quiz based on Valentine’s Day), and “Upuan Mo Ako” (a couple’s version of musical chairs) which got everyone up on their feet mingling and making new friends. Raymond Tran, an Australian expatriate, was impressed, “My Filipino friends are very passionate and generous people. They love life and they sure know how to celebrate it!”
The climax of the afternoon was the matchmaking game, “Pa-Heart To Get”. A male or female “searcher” is blindfolded and tries to “find” his or her match among five bachelors or bachelorettes. In this friendly environment, newcomer Michelle Benedicto felt game enough to become the female searcher. She enjoyed the cheers and laughter of the crowd despite being blindfolded among an unfamiliar circle of new friends. The two winning couples for that game each bagged a premium dinner set, courtesy of Indulge Cafe.
It wasn’t just the singles who had fun. Couples—married and attached—had their share of the merrymaking. John and Marichu Ibarrola won the husband-wife game, “Sagot o Lagot!” and were presented City Tour vouchers as prizes—just in time for their 16th wedding anniversary celebration. “The event was well organized and we enjoyed every part of it. It really exceeded our expectations,” the couple commented.
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| PHOTO: Erlou Miguel |
Hansen Sy, one of the Filipino ministry leaders, shared a fitting message with the group on author Gary Chapman’s “Five Love Languages”. People instantly started using the language of “words of affirmation” by dedicating messages and love songs to their loved ones through the live band performing that evening. “Gift-giving” was also practiced—the group flocked to the merchandise booths selling flowers, accessories, pastries and couple shirts.
At the end of the evening came the crowning of Mr. and Ms. Charisma, a casual contest that took place over the course of the evening. Josem Duenas and Lut Genesis were crowned the people’s choice, and scored a free ride at the Singapore Flyer.
For more information on the Filipino Fellowship, contact Judy Sy at judy.sy@gmail.com.
