Pair-fect Bites: Double the romance with these bang-for-your-buck B1T1 deals at SM this love month

by Info @Brand Zone | Feb. 15, 2025

Specially bundled up for you and your S.O.!

It’s the most romantic time of the year! Yup, Valentine’s Day is coming up, and that means reaffirming your romance with your main squeeze, reminding pals that you care, and extending some much-needed love to yourself. But, let’s face it, it can be a pretty pricey occasion if you’re looking to show some love and appreciation. 

Fear not. We’ve got the real deals here—exclusively bundled up for two! All available with Swipe Coupons via the SM Malls Online app until February 28, our ‘Pair-fect Bites’ bring twice the deliciousness of new and familiar foodie favorites for the price of one. These Buy-1, Take-1 deals are for treating yourself and your S.O. (even third-wheels!) to Cupid-approved eats—and everything in between. 

Bo's Coffee

Coffee dates are a great setting for creating connection and making conversation. Drop by at Bo’s Coffee to get two (2) brews of the same variant for only P199. Choose from their selection of Cold White Brew and medium-sized cups of Froccino Mocha, Hot or Iced Caffe Americano, and Cappuccino. 

Wendy's 

Casual sub-and-burger dinner date for two? That works at Wendy’s—where you can have an easy get-to-know you banter.  Munch on their Crispy Chicken Sandwich and Cheeseburger Deluxe for only P129. 

Taho Story

Skip right to the sweets, and see what you've been missing. Swing by at Taho Story to get in on their buy-1, take-1 Taho with Ice Cream in their 8-ounce Medyo Cute cups. 

Fat Boy's Pizza and Pasta 

Hit Fat Boy’s Pizza and Pasta for a cozy, low-key yet indulgent pizza date night. Their Mega Duo offer allows you to get two (2) orders of their 15-inch Party Size Super Supremo and Hawaiian Pizza for only P699. 

Dunkin’ 

Share a large chocolate cuppa with your S.O. at Dunkin’. Grab their Combo 5 for only P140, which also includes a serving of freshly baked and melt-in-your-mouth Dunkin’ Yan. Nothing says perfect pairing than a decadent chocolate drink and donut sticks. 

Taco Bell

Another shareable is Taco Bell’s Crave and Save pairing at P189. This savory and sweet bundle includes one (1) Burrito Shawarma, one (1) serving of Cinnamon Twists, and (1) 12-ounce cup of soda. Big cravings and savings in one! 

Pancake House

Snack dates are fun, especially if you’re dining at Pancake House. Until March 31, from 2PM to 5PM (Mondays to Fridays), choose any two snacks for only P299 (saving you up to P297!). Pick from the following: 2-piece Classic Pancakes, Original Chicken Burger (classic or spicy), Golden Brown Waffle, Solo Spaghetti with Garlic Bread, or two (2) pieces of Best Taco in Town (classic or spicy). Cozy, midday cravings for feel-good flavor solved!

Candy Corner

Sweets for your sweet! Well, actually, Sour Patch Kids! The watermelon-shaped candy in a Theater Box 3.5oz/99g starts only at P135 from Candy Corner. Definitely perfect for movie nights or just hanging out. 

SWIPE to save

Share all the foodie love with these ‘Pair-fect Bites’ offers from the SM Malls Online app by following these easy steps. 

1. Download the SM Malls Online App and register.

2. Go to the Deals and Shop section to discover hundreds of SWIPE Coupons for mall deals.

3. Save for Later or Redeem your chosen SWIPE Coupon in-store to avail of the promo.

Download the SM Malls Online app today on Google Play and the App Store, to discover more discounts and fresh, fun, and flavorful steals near you.

Heart and Chiz: Love that conquers all!

ni Cristine Marish Rivera (OJT) @Lifestyle | Feb. 14, 2025

Photo: Chiz at Heart - IG

“Now I know what love should be,” ito ang mga katagang sinabi ni Heart Evangelista kay Chiz Escudero sa kanilang renewal of vows last year. Pero, ano nga ba ang love? What love should look and feel like? May definite answer ba rito? Tingin ko, isa ang love story nina Heart at Chiz sa mga kasagutan sa tanong na ito.

Paano nga ba nahanap ni Heart at Chiz ang isa’t isa? Alam niyo bang inamin ni Heart na 2007 pa lang crush na niya si Chiz? Ito ay nang mapanood niya si Chiz na magsalita sa isang event sa La Union. Napa- “Hallelujah” na lang daw siya sa galing ni Chiz.

So what’s stopping her during that time? May boyfriend pa siya ng time na ‘yun. Mahilig talagang mag-story time ‘tong si Heart. Ikinuwento niya na noong 2009, una nilang napansin ang isa’t isa sa airport. Nakita niya ito sa smoking section pero akala niya “snob” and little did she know, napansin din siya ni Chiz at pinost pa sa Twitter.

What if sa travel din natin mahanap ang the one? Matapos ang tatlong taon, inamin ni Heart na lumabas sila twice ni Chiz, ilang linggo after ng breakup ni Heart kay Daniel, at buwan matapos ang annulment ni Chiz.

Ilang buwan makalipas, noong October 2012, opisyal na sinabi ng dalawa na sila ay “exclusively dating” at naging tulay si Miriam Defensor-Santiago na mutual friend nila. We all have that one friend na nagrereto, aminin!

Unang sinubok ng tadhana ang relasyon nila noong 2013, ito ay dahil hindi raw gusto ng parents ni Heart si Chiz para sa kanya na umabot pa sa TV dahil sa ginawang press conference ng bawat panig. Hindi rin nagtagal, napagdesisyunang mag-propose ni Chiz kay Heart noong 2014, sa ancestral home nito sa Sorsogon.

Sana all kayang ipaglaban sa parents! February 15, 2015, araw pagkatapos ng kaarawan ni Heart, ikinasal sila sa Balesin. It’s a double celebration, I guess? Tatlong taon again ang nakalipas, sinubok ang katatagan ng kanilang pagsasama. Nagkaroon ng miscarriage si Heart sa dapat ay kambal nilang anak noong 2018. Ngunit, nanatiling positibo ang aktres na babalik muli ang anak pagdating ng panahon.

Fast forward to September 2022, may mga sign na hiwalay ang dalawa. Tinanggal ni Heart ang “Escudero” sa display name nito sa Instagram at hindi bumati ng birthday ni Chiz na never nitong ginawa. Tinuldukan naman ni Heart ang speculations sa pag-post niya ng family picture bago matapos ang taon at ipinahayag sa isang panayam na “everyone goes through problems.”

Tama nga naman, matapos ang lahat ng pinagdaanan nila, mahalaga na kasama pa rin nila ang isa’t isa. ‘Pipiliin ka sa araw-araw’ ang peg. Love it! Muling nag-renew ng wedding vows ang dalawa para sa kanilang 9th anniversary.

“Getting married again the second time around — we’re even now — it seems like it’s actually my first, and I do truly believe it’s actually my first time because I knew what love was before, but now I know what love should be,” ito ang naging bahagi ng vows ni Heart na talagang sumasalamin sa pinagdaanan nilang mag-asawa sa loob ng siyam na taon.

Walang definite answer kung ano nga ba ang love pero isang mahabang paglalakbay ang kapalit to know what love should be and what matters the most is that you have the love that conquers all along the journey. Taray! Ika-10 anibersaryo na rin nila sa February 15 at siguradong handa pa rin silang harapin nang magkasama ang ilang taong darating.

Ngayong Valentine’s, we choose thrift-flipping love

ni Cristine Marish Rivera (OJT) @Lifestyle | Feb. 14, 2025

Artwork: Dominic Santos (OJT)

Oh yes, Araw ng mga Puso! May pang fit check ka na ba?

Pero teka, remind lang kita ah, hindi lang pang romantic relationships ang celebration today, it’s all about love in general -- romantic, platonic, at higit sa lahat, pagmamahal sa sarili.

Para sa marami, perfect time rin ang okasyon na mag-dress-up, maging pang-romantic date, ‘galentines’ date, o para ma-feel lang ang “heart’s day,” and take note, hindi mo kailangang gumastos nang malaki para sa okasyon at maging stylish. I got you!

Hindi na bago sa ating mga Pilipino ang ukay-ukay at kaliwa’t kanang mga thrift store sa bansa. Bukod sa sobrang mura nito ay malaki rin ang chance na wala kang kapareha kumpara sa mga nabibili online at physical stores. Higit pa rito, lumalabas ang creativity ng isang mang-uukay sa pag-mix and match ng mga damit.

And hindi natatapos dito ang ukay craze, since fashion is a dynamic industry, dito na papasok ang thrift-flipping.

Ito ay pagbibigay-buhay sa ukay o pre-loved na mga damit upang gawing bago, modern, at pasok sa ating personalities. Para itong pag-a-alter pero mas creative.

Umpisahan natin sa damit na gagamitin pang thrift-flip. Ang number 1 rule, hindi kailangang gumastos ng mahal.

Maghanap ka sa closet mo o sa thrift stores ng mga damit like dresses, pants, o kahit simpleng shirt na puwedeng i-upcycle using Valentine’s motifs tulad ng heart patches o laces. Karaniwang ginagamit na kulay din ang red at pink dahil it gives off “love vibes.”

Next step, isipin mo kung anong gusto mong gawin sa damit na pasok sa personality at style mo. ‘Yan ang art of thrift-flipping, pero don’t worry, walang pressure dito. May easy ways pa rin kung paano ka magsisimula.

Puwedeng ang old pants ay maging denim skirt then lagyan ng heart patches o tayo ang mag-paint dito. Ang cardigan na simple naman puwedeng tanggalin ang ‘basic-looking’ na butones at palitan ng cutesy little red hearts. O ang simple dress, gawin nating two-piece coordinates. Sa footwear, puwede nating lagyan ng details ang heels at sandals o kaya ay palitan ng fancy shoe laces ang boring na sintas sa mga sapatos n’yo.

Sa mga lalaki naman, I got you as well! No one should be left behind.

Maaaring lagyan ng small heart logo ang simple white basic tee at i-crop ito gaya ng nauuso ngayon. Ang pants puwedeng gawing shorts at i-paint lang with fun colors and cool designs. Hindi rin okey na makalimutan ang common na ginagawa ng mga lalaki sa shoes for thrift-flipping. Mula sa luma at old style na mga sapatos, puwede ring pintahan ng cute at colorful designs ito.

Fashion is limitless. Tayo ang magdedesisyon kung paano natin gustong i-express ang mga sarili through clothing.

Tulad ng love, ang thrift-flipping ay pagbibigay ng second chance sa mga lumang damit at pagpapahalaga rito. Ang perfect outfit ay hindi ang pinakamahal, kundi ang pinakamagandang nagrerepresinta ng kung ano ka bilang tao.

Bilang nagmamahal ngayong Heart’s Day, hindi mo kailangan ng expensive outfit.

No more unrequited love this Valentine’s, just love for thrift-flipping.