by Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
On February 14th, every year, it is recognised as Valentine’s Day.
Many families, loved ones and friends plan and celebrate the day. Couples and loved ones on this day, exchange gifts, have dinner dates and do things they don’t do every day, just to make the day special for their partners.
While many understand what Valentine Day is, there are many who do not know what Valentine’s Day is about.
Yesterday, EMTV Online walked around Garden City to collect views of people from different age groups, and their understanding on what Valentine’s Day is.
Questions asked were;
- What is Valentine’s Day?
- What do people do on Valentine’s Day?
- Personally what do you understand or think about when you hear about Valentine Day?
- What will you do on Valentine’s Day?
EMTV Online approached 10 people but only four were willing to share their thoughts on the day dedicated to everything about love.
Sharon Willie, is a 19-year-old from Mount Hagen, Western Highlands Province. She says Valentine’s Day is a day where two people in a relationship, either a boyfriend or a girlfriend, go out, buy presents, exchange gifts and even go out for dinner. This is how she understands Valentine’s day although she says she doesn’t know if her understanding is right or wrong. When asked what she would do on Valentines day, which is today, Sharon says she will go out with her girlfriends and school mates for lunch.
Followed by Sharon is young Neville Kini from Rigo, Central Province. Neville is 20 years old. He says Valentines Day is a where a girl and a boy in a relationship get to exchange gifts and take time to go out for lunch or dinner, and spend the day together. When asked what he planned on doing for his special one, Neville said he made a Valentine’s card and will give his card to her. He further added that he will buy a gift for her later on.
Young Stan Lua is 21 years old from Aroma in the Central Province. Stan says Valentines Day is spending quality time with loved ones. For Stan, he came to know about Valentine’s Day through his elder brothers.
When asked what he will do today for his special one, Stan confidently said his special one is his mum and if she was around, he would do what others do for their special one. But because this is not the case, Stan said he will take his friends out if he wants too, and maybe watch a movie at a cinema.
And finally, our last participant Jason Jim. Jason is a 25-year-old male from a mix parentage of Madang and Western Highlands.
Jason says Valentines Day is a day signifying relationships between two people. Jason’s understanding or coming to know what Valentine’s day was through reading. When asked what he was doing today, he said he would buy a gift for his special one and maybe dinner out.
These are just few views what some people think or understand of Valentine’s day. From the ten participants, six said they didn’t know what Valentine’s day was about.
