Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17709802541851770980263535.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Handout"/>Handout</div>MANILA — Valentine’s Day has long been treated as a cultural milestone that spotlights relationship status and amplifies romantic expectations. But new nationwide data from Agile Data Solutions Inc. suggest that for many Filipinos, being single is no longer defined by timing or social pressure.Survey findings gathered through Hustle PH show that 68% of single respondents say they are single by choice — not waiting for a partner, not recovering from a breakup, but deliberately opting to remain unattached.The company describes the emerging pattern as “intentional singlehood,” framing it as a shift in which singlehood is viewed as strategic and self-directed rather than transitional.“The idea that everyone must be in a relationship by a certain age is slowly losing its hold,” said Jason Gaguan, chairman and co-founder of Agile Data Solutions Inc. “What we’re seeing is intentional singlehood — people choosing stability, growth or peace before partnership.”More than 40% of single respondents said they are prioritizing personal, career or financial goals, while 20% said they have not yet met the right person. The data suggest that many respondents are treating relationships as something that should align with their life trajectory rather than define it.Despite Valentine’s Day’s commercial prominence, emotional responses appear muted. Sixty-six percent of respondents said they feel neutral as the holiday approaches, and 64% agreed that Valentine’s Day in the Philippines is overly romanticized.“Neutrality isn’t indifference,” Gaguan said. “It suggests people are separating cultural messaging from personal worth.”Some social pressure remains. About 27% of respondents said they sometimes feel pushed to be in a relationship during Valentine’s Day, and 26% of singles said they occasionally feel left out. However, 39% reported feeling no pressure at all, and a similar share of singles said they never feel excluded. Older respondents reported even lower levels of pressure.Celebration patterns also reflect a broader shift. Thirty-two percent said they spend Valentine’s Day with family, compared with 29% who celebrate with a romantic partner. Many others said they spend the day relaxing or casually gathering with friends. Overall, 64% agreed that Valentine’s Day now feels more about enjoyment than romance.Self-directed spending is also prominent. About 80% of respondents said spending on themselves makes them feel good, and more than 73% reported emotional satisfaction from self-spending. Among Gen Z singles, 42% cited celebrating themselves as a primary motivation, while 29% said they reward themselves for hard work or stress.Gaguan said the findings indicate that self-spending is not a substitute for romance but an expression of personal agency.Taken together, the data suggest a subtle but significant cultural shift. When most singles say they are single by choice, Valentine’s Day may no longer function as a measure of romantic validation but as an optional observance.

More than 40% of single respondents said they are prioritizing personal, career or financial goals, while 20% said they have not yet met the right person.

More than 40% of single respondents said they are prioritizing personal, career or financial goals, while 20% said they have not yet met the right person.

More Filipinos report being single by choice, new survey says

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More Filipinos report being single by choice, new survey says

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

Published February 13, 2026 06:58 PM PHT

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