Thousands of couples are expected to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Tagaytay City to enjoy the romantic sceneries and cool breeze of the city by the ridge overlooking Taal Volcano.

Officials said at least 200,000 people are expected to gather in different scenic and tourist spots in the city during the traditional day of hearts.

Leilani Diesta, Tagaytay City public information officer, said the city government under Mayor Bambol Tolentino has prepared activities for young and elderly couples to make their Valentine’s Day celebration in the city more memorable.

Tagaytay, a prime tourist destination, is one of the best places for lovers as it offers a perfect view of mystical view of Taal Volcano as well as its highland cool climate.

Loving couples and local and foreign tourists are expected to flock to Tagaytay starting Saturday for Valentine’s on Sunday, which coincidentally is also the Chinese New Year this year.

Diesta said Tagaytay started celebrating the love month with the city’s “Pista ng Pag-ibig” (Feast of Love) last Thursday.

“Unknown to many, the city celebrated Pista ng Pag-ibig last Thursday. We celebrate the feast every year. The Valentine celebration in Tagaytay usually lasts until Monday (February 15),” she said.

Diesta said the city Valentine’s celebration on Sunday will start with novena prayers and flower offerings at the Our Lady of Fair Love Grotto at People’s Park in Barangay Dapdap at 7 a.m. Mayor Tolentino and other city officials will lead the ceremonies.

This will be followed by a mass wedding to be officiated by the mayor at the Mother of Fair Love City Hall chapel in Barangay Kaybagal South.

Diesta said at least 84 couples will say “I do” during the event. The ceremonies, including the reception, are sponsored by the city government.

She said vendors selling red roses are expected to line major thoroughfares of the city starting on Sunday, and traffic congestion is expected along Aguinaldo Highway. She said policemen will be deployed in critical areas for security.

Couples are expected to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the city’s numerous viewing resorts, hotels and restaurants such as People’s Park, Picnic Grove, Antonio’s Garden, Panama, The Boutique restaurants, and Taal Vista Lodge, among others.