FEBRUARY 14 arrives every year wrapped in red ribbons and heightened expectations: bouquets passed from hand to hand, tables filled at cafés and timelines flooded with couple photos. For many, it is the most romantic and cheesiest day of the year.
But beyond the flowers and chocolates is a quiet truth: love does not disappear just because you are single.
From gentle reminders to tunes about knowing one’s worth, Original Pilipino Music (OPM) has it all. These tracks reflect the many ways love shows up through growth, healing and acceptance.
This Valentine’s Day, The Flame compiles an OPM playlist dedicated to single Thomasians celebrating self-love, individuality and the connections that exist beyond romance.
1. Ako Naman Muna
What began as a personal draft eventually found its way into many playlists, becoming a quiet anthem for those learning to slow down. Angela Ken’s “Ako Naman Muna” reminds listeners that it is okay not to be okay, and that gentleness toward oneself is a form of care.
With lines like “Dahan-dahang tumingin sa salamin, upang makita ang ating kagandahan,” the song invites moments of pause and reflection. Its calm acoustic sound feels like sitting with your thoughts after a long day, encouraging listeners to acknowledge small wins, take needed breaks and allow themselves to feel without rushing the process.
2. Aurora
Acceptance often begins from within. In “Aurora,” TONEEJAY offers a gentle reminder to stop measuring yourself against others. “Pero kung kailangan mo ng paalala, pakinggan, huwag mo nang ikumpara ang sarili sa iba,” speaks to anyone who has ever felt left behind, assuring listeners that every journey unfolds differently.
Carried by a warm, soulful melody, the song encourages embracing vulnerabilities and moving forward with quiet confidence. Like its namesake, “Aurora” invites listeners to shine in their own time and glow in ways that feel true to who they are. It can gleam the rays of bright yellow in every Thomasian’s heart.
3. Di Ka Sayang
Stepping away from its usual themes of romance and heartbreak, Ben&Ben offers a more affirming message, “ ‘Di ka sayang, ‘di kailangang patunayan, Sarili ay mahalaga kahit pa anong tingin nila.” From its title alone, the song reassures listeners that pain from the past, whether personal or academic, does not define their worth.
Rather than dwelling on loss, the track highlights the strength that comes from facing wounds with honesty. “Di Ka Sayang” reminds listeners that resilience begins when we learn to recognize our struggles rather than hide from them.
4. Karera
Another hit from the nation’s girl group BINI, “Karera” captures the pressure of constantly keeping up. With its lively rhythm and uplifting lyrics, the song speaks to moments when people forget to move at their own pace and start comparing their progress to others, a pressure many may feel during Valentine’s Day.
“Huwag mag alala, buhay ay ‘di karera,” BINI reminds listeners. For Thomasians who have negative thoughts about not having a date, “Karera” offers comfort, reminding them that there is no deadline for love and no need to keep up with anyone else.
5. Maiba Naman
With its dance-pop rhythm, “Maiba Naman” stands as an anthem for authenticity. Janah Zaplan centers the song on choosing yourself first, a message that resonates especially with those navigating Valentine’s Day on their own. “Uunahin ang sarili bago magbigay sa iba” reminds listeners that honoring their feelings matters just as much as showing up for others.
Rather than hiding emotions, the song encourages honest self-expression and affirms that protecting your peace is a valid form of care.
6. 4 Myself
One doesn’t need anybody to accept oneself and feel complete. The song 4 Myself is a very uplifting, danceable release from Lucky Aces’ half, AC Bonifacio, that focuses on women’s empowerment. It is an anthem for Thomasians who are happily single by choice, walking contented and confident in the lover’s lane.
“I’m not looking for someone now, Better off on my own for now,” the song conveys the essence of individuality: not needing anyone else but falling for oneself, which translates into the power of self-love and self-assurance.
7. Polaris
Shifting from their usual “hugot” themes, December Avenue’s “Polaris” centers on self-empowerment and courage. Named after the North Star, a guide for travelers, the song encourages listeners to discover their own path.
For Thomasians contemplating life after graduation or navigating personal crossroads, Polaris reminds them that it is okay to feel lost sometimes. “It’s on you to see the world in a different point of view,” the hopeful melody encourages movement and exploration, and sees life from a new perspective.
8. Lahat ng Bukas
PH’s northern collective Cup of Joe and Keanna Mag deliver a soulful melody in “Lahat ng Bukas,” which reflects on resilience after setbacks. Beyond the context of romantic relationships, the song can be interpreted as a celebration of personal strength and self-trust.
“Lahat ng bukas ay ibibigay, hawaka’t ‘wag bitawan ang aking kamay” becomes a metaphor for embracing oneself and letting go of fear to find courage in vulnerability.
9. Madali
The slow melody of its opening transitions into a full pop-rock, reminding its listeners not to forget to slow down in life.
Translating to “fast” or “hurry,” the Lola Amour song employs the band’s signature arrangement to urge its listeners to believe in the process and let time teach one with experiences.
A collaboration with rapper and singer Al James, the track’s message was to enjoy the journey and not rush, as things done according to time are sure and planned for one as conveyed in the lines “ ‘Di na baling matagal ang biyahe basta solid (solid),” and “Matarik pa pala’ng lalakarin Makakarating din diyan.”
It is indeed an anthem for Thomasians burning with tiger spirit who are being molded by their experiences and struggles.
10. Growing My Garden
Reese Lansangan’s “Growing My Garden” is a gentle metaphor for self-care. The acoustic arrangement evokes calm morning vibes, perfect for quiet reflection.
The lyrics, “Let me just tend to my growing garden, I’m opening doors, I’m letting the sun in,” serve as a reminder to care for oneself amid the noise and expectations of student life. On Valentine’s Day, it is a nod to nurturing your own growth, allowing your inner world to bloom at its own pace.
11. Ako Muna
12. WYAT (Where You At)
Get boosted in reconnecting with the self in this disco-funk pop release by the kings of P-Pop, SB19. The high-energy rhythm features a theme of reconnection, not only within oneself but also with families and friends who became part of one’s nostalgic past. Spending the night chilling alone in the dorm room doesn’t mean loneliness inside of these four corners while being away from family and friends.
The lines “Thanks to all my friends and family (Hey!), lifting me up, keeping in touch” highlight the importance of communicating with the people who matter in one’s life through the song’s groovy sections and the group’s powerful vocals.
13. Simula
With its soothing flute melody unfolding over gentle drum beats, Munimuni’s “Simula” sets the tone for the band’s signature makata-pop sound. Through lines like “Hindi tayo ayos ngayon, makulimlim na ang panahon,” the song mirrors how fears and anxieties can brew into a storm in one’s mind.
Thomasians may find comfort in its portrayal of uncertainty and sadness as part of the student journey. As the song promises that hardships eventually pass, “Simula” becomes a reminder that today’s struggles will abate and veer into healing, hope and new beginnings.
14. Tuloy Pa Rin
A timeless 1990s OPM anthem, Neocolours’ “Tuloy Pa Rin” captures the ache of heartbreak alongside the quiet courage it takes to move forward. The song sits with loneliness and loss, acknowledging the memories that linger even as healing slowly begins.
Anchored by the refrain “Tuloy pa rin ang awit ng buhay ko,” it becomes a gentle declaration of resilience: life continues, even when love changes. This makes it a must-listen this Valentine’s Day for those learning to choose hope, one step at a time.
For whatever reason you find yourself single this Valentine’s Day, these songs remind us that love is not limited to romance. On campus, love exists in shared meals, late-night conversations, inside jokes, mentoring, fraternal corrections, prayers and quiet moments of reflection. Beyond the flowers and chocolates, the most enduring form of love remains the one you choose to give yourself, patiently and without conditions. F
