What they think and how they celebrate
Published on: Sunday, February 14, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Valentine's Day, which originated from Western countries, is a celebration of love. For many Asians, they too are celebrating their own love stories, bonding or renewing love for one another on this day. Many business people are also taking the opportunity to create hype for economic purpose. Sometimes we wonder whether Valentine's Day or V-Day is hype or true love.
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Christina Wahida Kong, a mother of four, said V-Day is merely a day to spend quality time with loved ones. "It becomes a special day simply because special people are around them. Well, to me, since V-Day is given much publicity about celebration of love, I can also portray love towards my children and family on this day. Whether it is V-Day or not, when the children are all with me, it is my V-Day," said Christina, a director in a tour-related company here. She added that celebrating any occasions together with her children brings closeness among them.
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Jonathan Foo, a businessman, feels V-Day is a good time to share love with those close to his heart."I had an adopted son named Clarence, a Lundayeh from Sarawak. We had this special bonding for one another that whatever his problems or encounters were, I would feel it too. However, he died in 2012 due to illness and left behind two children. I take care of them, Cleverson, 12, and Aaron, 9, now since they are my adopted grandchildren.
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My love for them is unconditional. "So, if you ask me about V-Day, it means my love for my grandchildren unconditionally," said Jonathan."To me, V-Day is all about love for the ones close to our heart. My grandchildren are my life. However, my mother, the queen of my heart, is also someone very special to me. On this V-Day, I just want to wish her best of health and my love for her is the purest," he said.Irenda Edat, a primary school teacher, recalled how she brought up all her five children in the early days. It was hard at first but seeing them growing up healthily is a miracle and joyous moment of her life. She said her five children are her valentines."I am a divorcee now but my ex-husband continues to share his responsibility as the father of my children and I am grateful for that. "Every day is a V-Day for me because I see my children growing up right before my eyes. They are my heartbeat and my life. My three elder children are in colleges while the two younger ones are still in school. I just want to enjoy this every moment of nurturing them while they are still under my care." Catherine Nurbella Yap Abdullah, a florist, said during festivities, including Valentine's Day, her business would slightly increase. "During V-Day, red roses are the most sought-after. I guess these flowers are seen to be more romantic or showing pure love to the persons receiving it," she said. She also said she needed to work extra hard during festivities like Valentine's Day.Imenuel Alex and Jovinia Vivi Pualin, from Papar, are still in their "honeymoon" as they just tied the knot on Feb. 14 last year. Jovinia said it was a coincidence to have their wedding date on V-Day."We went to see the priest to ask for the available date for our marriage. We had earlier on chosen a different date, but were told that no priests were available to solemnise our marriage. Then later on, we were asked to choose another date. So I took Feb. 14 without realising it was V-Day until the priest told us we were very smart to choose the date. I believe God helped us to choose the best date for our special day," said Jovinia gratefully.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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