So, we read on the papers that politicians are doing their pre-election campaigns on Valentine’s Day by capitalizing on it to win the hearts of potential voters. One catchy theme is Love Democracy messages by DAP leaders urging people to love their family, friends and democracy.

While newspapers on Friday headline the nomination and polling dates of the 12th General Election, we read on the front page of The Star and The Sun of how a man spent RM40,000 for a billboard advertisement proposing marriage to his girlfriend. Come to think of it, I personally feel such an amount of money is better spent wisely on more important stuff. There are many more meaningful ways to show our sincerity to our love ones that do not require a huge sum of money.

Personally, I don’t celebrate Valentines’ Day. I feel that if we are to show our love to our love ones, we should show it constantly, daily, not once a year. Besides, Valentine’s Day is so commercialized where florists, chocolate sellers, restaurants, etc. are capitalizing on it for huge profits. Do you still remember that nearly 9 years ago a man drove all the way from Penang to Cameron Highlands to get roses for his girlfriend amounting to thousands of ringgit?

Instead of spending on flowers, chocolates, expensive dining, or even a billboard advertisement, why not keep the money for other purposes such as providing a better life to your eventual spouse? Perhaps a bigger house, a better car, better environment for future generation, etc.

And you probably read that there are mass weddings being organized on Valentine’s Day. And from the press, you probably noticed they are Chinese couples. And a check on Joey Yap’s 2008 Tong Shu Monthly Planner, 14 February 2008, Valentine’s Day is a Month Breaker Day. We should not engage in any important activities on a Month Breaker Day or Year Breaker Day according to Chinese Astrology. This includes marriage!