February used to be couples’ territory. Romantic dinners, expensive jewelry, and that familiar pang of FOMO if you weren’t part of a pair. But the way we celebrate love is changing.
Enter Galentine’s Day. Celebrated during Valentine’s season as well, this holiday puts friendships front and center. It’s a reminder that love isn’t limited to romance, and that the people who show up for us year-round deserve their own celebration too. The friends who answer the phone at 2 a.m., who celebrate your wins louder than you do, who stick around through the messy chapters. Those bonds deserve flowers and brunch and a dedicated day too.
Here’s What’s Covered:
- Why Galentine’s Day matters
- How Filipinos are celebrating Galentine’s
- Celebration ideas: From brunch to vision boards
- Gift ideas for your barkada
Why Galentine’s Day Matters
For years, Valentine’s Day put romantic relationships on a pedestal while friendships sat in the background. Galentine’s Day flips that script.
It’s a day that says: the friends who hold your hair back when you’re sick, who answer the phone at 2 a.m. when you’re spiraling, who celebrate your wins louder than you do. Those people deserve flowers and brunch and a dedicated day too.
Younger generations have embraced this shift. Researchers describe it as part of the “celebration economy,” a growing desire to create meaningful occasions rather than waiting for traditional holidays to roll around. Galentine’s Day gives people permission to honor relationships that society often treats as secondary to romance.
For those who are single, divorced, widowed, or simply not in a relationship that February, Galentine’s Day offers something Valentine’s Day often doesn’t: inclusion. It’s a reminder that love isn’t limited to romantic partnerships, and that a life rich in friendship is a life worth celebrating.
How Filipinos Are Celebrating Galentine’s
In the Philippines, Galentine’s Day fits naturally into an already robust Valentine’s culture. Filipinos celebrate the entire month of February as “love month,” with Valentine’s activities and promotions extending from early February through mid-month.
This makes sense. Valentine’s Day in the Philippines has always extended beyond couples. Family members exchange gifts, children give cards to parents, and love is understood as something bigger than romance. Galentine’s Day is a natural extension of that inclusive spirit.
Filipino celebrities have helped boost visibility for the holiday. When ABS-CBN actresses Angelica Panganiban, Bela Padilla, and Kim Chiu (collectively known as “AngBeKi”) shared photos from their Galentine’s dinner, it sparked conversation about celebrating “sisterhood by choice.”
Social media posts from Filipino participants show common activities: cafe hopping and food trips, vision boarding sessions, spa parties with face masks and candles, Netflix marathons with candlelit dinners, and DIY craft sessions. The emphasis on shared experiences rather than expensive gifts reflects how Filipinos tend to show love: through quality time and presence, not price tags.
Celebration Ideas
Dining Experiences
Brunch remains the classic format, honoring Leslie Knope’s original concept. Popular elements include buffet-style spreads featuring both sweet and savory options, mini heart-shaped waffles, and mimosa bars with multiple juice varieties.
Progressive food tours offer another option. Participants visit multiple establishments for different courses: pizza in one location, cocktails at another, pastries at a third.
Restaurants have adapted to welcome Galentine’s groups, offering early evening social experiences with shareable small plates and sparkling wine flights. Some create fondue and hot pot interactive dining designed for larger parties.
Creative and Wellness Activities
Hands-on creative workshops include paint and sip parties,candle-making workshops,pottery classes, and vision boarding sessions.
Wellness-focused gatherings include spa days or at-home “sparties” with face masks, scented candles, and beauty treatments, plus group yoga or meditation classes.
Active options include hiking expeditions ending with picnics, Topgolf sessions, fun run 5Ks, or group exercise classes followed by brunch.
Some friend groups spend Galentine’s Day volunteering in their communities, a meaningful way to celebrate connection by giving back together.
Party Themes
Pajamas and Prosecco: Guests wear loungewear while sipping bubbly and enjoying elevated brunch food.
High Tea: Finger sandwiches, scones, and proper tea service.
Cupid’s Cowgirls: Cow print, gingham patterns, cowboy boots, and vintage playing cards. This trend was inspired by Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter and Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club.”
Gift Ideas for Your Barkada
Galentine’s gifts don’t need to be expensive. Thoughtfulness matters more than the price tag.
Beauty and self-care: Collagen jelly cream, gua sha facial tools, lip gloss, face mists, hydrating lip oils, weighted lavender eye pillows, and cream blush.
Personalized accessories: Custom letter necklaces, monogrammed items, and jewelry engraved with meaningful coordinates or dates.
Comfort items: Cashmere throw blankets, cozy slippers, marshmallow lounge sets, and soft pajamas.
Experience gifts: Massage gift cards, cooking class registrations, concert tickets, or weekend getaway contributions.
Food and beverage: Premium tea collections, artisanal chocolates, wine selections, and cocktail-making kits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Galentine’s Day and when is it celebrated?
Galentine’s Day is celebrated on February 13, the day before Valentine’s Day. It originated from a 2010 episode of Parks and Recreation where Leslie Knope gathered her female friends for a breakfast celebration.
What’s the difference between Galentine’s Day and Palentine’s Day?
Galentine’s Day traditionally focuses on female friendships, following the original concept from Parks and Recreation. Palentine’s Day is a gender-inclusive version that celebrates all platonic relationships, including male friendships, mixed-gender friend groups, and professional connections.
How do Filipinos celebrate Galentine’s Day?
Filipino celebrations often incorporate local traditions within the broader “love month” of February. Popular activities include cafe hopping, vision boarding sessions, spa parties, Netflix marathons with candlelit dinners, and DIY craft sessions.
What are the most popular Galentine’s Day activities?
Popular activities include brunch gatherings, progressive food tours, creative workshops (painting, candle-making, pottery), wellness experiences (spa days, yoga classes), themed parties (Pajamas and Prosecco, High Tea, Cupid’s Cowgirls), and volunteer activities.
Why is Galentine’s Day important?
Galentine’s Day acknowledges that friendships deserve celebration too. It creates space for people who are single, aromantic, or simply want to honor platonic relationships that often go unrecognized during Valentine’s season.
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