SPEECH ON VALENTINE’S DAY

HAPPY HEARTS DAY TO ALL!

To our young king and queen of hearts, to our dearest administrators Dr. Maria Teresa M. Penicilla and
Miss Judith B. Anam, Dear Teachers, Fellow Parents, Loving pupils, happy valentine’s day!

Today is a wonderful day, made even more significant with the beautiful Miss Valentine and her escort,
the handsome, Mr. Valentine. This is a meaningful day especially for those who love and those who are
loved by someone special. Seeing happy faces this afternoon makes me believe that surely, you and me
just like Mr. and Miss Valentine know that all our hearts are keeping memorable precious moments. We
all are guilty of loving. We all are happy that we have experienced the joy of loving and caring.

Mr. and Miss Valentine, you are the big stars on your coronation day. I would like each of us to
remember why we give so much importance to the day of hearts not only today, but also every time
February 14 comes. Let us recollect the story of St. Valentine.

The account of historians about St. Valentine is not new to many of us. It is a beautiful story of love, a
story of hope, an inspiration, a fancy story of affection, and a story of devotion. Saint Valentine's Day,
commonly shortened to Valentine's Day is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating
love and affection. Some of the symbols that remind us of this day include the heart, doves, flowers,
chocolates, candies and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines
have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.

Legend has it that Valentine was a priest who served during third century Rome. There was an Emperor
at that time by the name of Claudius II. Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better
soldiers than those that were married. With this thought in mind he outlawed marriage for young men in
hopes of building a stronger military base. Supposedly, Valentine, decided this decree just wasn't fair
and chose to marry young couples secretly. When Emperor Claudius II found out about Valentine's
actions he had him put to death.

Another legend has it that Valentine was an imprisoned man who fell in love with his jailor's daughter.
Before he was put to death he sent the first 'valentine' himself when he wrote her a letter and signed it
'Your Valentine', words still used on cards today.

Because of Valentine, some people devote themselves in finding the meaning of love.. for what is love?
Truly, it must be the reason for the glow in the eyes of Miss and Mr. Valentine. It must be the secret
whisper that your heart and mine can hear. It must be the motive behind our reason for living. In short,
some people may say that this is why the world never stops to go around the sun. Love is truly a
wonderful thing, a many splendored thing according to the words of an old song. And yet, its story shall
forever live in all our hearts. To Miss and Mr. Valentine, .. . . Congratulations for being the symbol for
Valentine today!