The supposed ‘death of romance’ is a common lament in modern dating – particularly with the rise of

apps such as Tinder and Bumble. But how romantic were the courtships of the past? As love seems to be
every person’s favorite language, dating and courtship can never be thrown out of the window when
discussions about culture commence. Our ancestors used to write telegrams, harana, and write personal
letters to the love of their life.

My parents love story was somehow fate bound. During the year 1990, my mother was assigned as a
permanent teacher at Columbus Elementary School in Marilog district. When my mother arrived at the
school, she stepped out of the bus and by fate, my father was at the cross of the road. My father saw my
mother near the bus and fell this tingling feeling like he just saw the most beautiful woman in his life.
And that is the time a man who is a farmer, knew he fell in love at first sight. He promised himself that
he is going to marry this woman whom he just met for a split second. It like the fate crossed their paths,
because when my mother needed a place to stay, it happened to be my father’s aunties’ house. Of
course, before they started dating, my mom had a lot of men who courted her during that time and my
father had a lot of tricks in his sleeves. Sooner and later, after months or years of courting my mother,
they are finally dating and got married and the rest is history.

Evolution of courtship and dating practices in the Philippines has been greatly shaped through history
and time. Since age immemorial, wooing has always been there; it comes in various ways and forms, and
it actually links a particular set of dating etiquette and taboos. Before Philippine dating had reached its
present configuration, there are a couple of traditional courtship practices that were genuinely observed
by many Filipinos in the past.