How do I even have the nerve to give an unofficial manual about something I’ve never even officially experienced in my lifetime? Heck, how do I even talk about something I’ve failed so miserably in my previous attempts? Welp, after yesterday’s heartbreaking piece (click here if y’all wanna cry again), I figured lightening up the mood since today’s Valentines after all. For all my single peeps out there, this one’s for y’all. For those who are in the beginning or middle of a relationship, who knows, y’all might need a few tweaks here and there to make it work out even more.

1. ‘Wag Marupok sa Una (Don’t Fall Right Away)

I CAN’T STRESS THIS ENOUGH!! It’s easy to feel certain emotions especially if you’re just in the beginning stages of feeling kilig (in love). But, it is so important to control and kung kaya, restrain these emotions from making you go overboard. If he/she says no, your heart might break into a million pieces. I myself have been guilty of being marupok, so it really is a collaborative effort among all of us. It’ll be hard to fight the feeling, but if you approach your “date” as more of a chill hangout with the opposite, lalo na kung first time ninyo magkita (especially if it’s your first time meeting each other), it’ll be normal and natural.

2. ‘Wag Masyadong Torpe (Don’t be Shy to the Opposite)

Tip #2 is the antithesis of Tip #1. But you know what, even I’m a victim of both. Yup, I can be the most torpe person out there while being marupok at the same time. To the guys out there, don’t be like me. Self-confidence is key to get the girl. You da man, so it’s more than expected that we should make the first move, not them. Of course this also applies to the ladies too believe it or not. There are men out there na pakipot din (also hard to get), so worry not girls. Just take it from us guys who have a hard time pursuing y’all. Hehe. I guess being torpe comes from recent traumatic experiences or pure nature of the person, but whatever the case may be, y’all gotta fight it. The opposite party is counting on you to be as normal and natural to them.

3. ‘Wag Pakipot (Don’t be Hard to Get)

Speaking of being pakipot, to the ladies out there (tho men are sometimes caught doing this), pagbigyan mo naman kami (give us a chance pleaaseee). Of course Tip #3 is beyond our control as the ones pursuing, but it surely would help if we at least get to try taking you out. Kahit isang beses lang (at least once). Then, if ayaw pa rin (if you still don’t like us), we ain’t gonna be mad. All we ask for is a fair shot. Of course we need to put the effort, but so as long as you give us the appropriate response (kahit rejection man yan), we’ll humbly accept it.

4. Maging maginoo at mabuting ginang (Be a Gentleman and Lady)

Now, unlike the song suggests, you ain’t gotta serve your guy or girl his/her slippers, dinner or dessert. But y’all should get my point it. Dating is a two-way street. If anything, it’s an act of SERVICE more than “LOVE”. You guys are responsible for each other’s safety and enjoyment. Of course us guys have the slightly bigger responsibility because we gotta be gentlemen, but as fine ladies, y’all gotta step up your game too. And no, looks and external beauty ain’t enough. What us guys look for (at least what I’m looking for) is what’s on the inside, because lets be real, that matters more than anything.

5. LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOW LOWKEY – Niki Zefanya

Forget all the tips I wrote, but NOT THIS!! This is similar to Tip #1, but it ties up this “manual” altogether. Of course, many of you guys assume dating = long term commitment. That is partly true, but as young adults currently in the middle of discovering ourselves, it’s important to keep things LOWKEY first before entering deeper and more complicated stages. Anything can happen in a certain amount of time. Maybe that dating stage does develop into something deeper. For the young unlucky ones, maybe this is just a test trial of many other dates we may get with other girls out there. What really matters is those dates result in long-lasting friendships, regardless of what happens next. Take it from my girl NIKI. After all, it’s really all about getting to know each other more than practicing for that wedding ceremony.

So there you have it guys. All of us aren’t immune to the lovebug, and at it will bite us at some point in our lives. What matters is we enjoy it. Kaya after every date experience, come home happy from it. Even if it doesn’t develop and turn into you being engaged or something, at least you can say you got a taste of what being and falling in love felt like for those few hours you had together. So have fun with it, but don’t forget to avoid being marupok, torpe and pakipot, while being fine gentlemen and ladies in this lowkey game called DATING.

Happy Valentines Day y’all

Yours Truly,

D.E.L. R.O.