I la la la love you
Love, for all its grand declarations and cinematic gestures, often reveals itself, and perhaps more meaningfully, during the quiet moments of our days. It is not always flowers delivered at the office or candlelit dinners reserved weeks in advance. More often, it is someone remembering how you take your coffee. It is a hand reaching for yours, reminding you that you are not alone. It is putting your phone down and giving someone your full attention.
The idea of “love languages,” introduced by Gary Chapman, suggests that we each give and receive love differently—through words, acts of service, gifts, quality time, or physical touch.
But beyond the framework, what matters most is this: Love is deeply personal. It shows up not in grand gestures, but in the small ways we make someone feel seen, cared for, supported, and loved.
Erica Concepcion-Reyes: How love can be seen in the little things
For Erica Concepcion-Reyes—founder of Riqueza Jewellery, a brand that specializes in fine estate and vintage jewelry—love is grounded. “I express love through consistency and care in everyday life,” she says. “For me, it’s less about grand gestures and more about being present and showing up for my family.”
With her husband Francis and their family, love is found in shared routines, traveling together when they can, and finding small moments when they can reconnect. For them, Valentine’s Day is not a big production, but a pause, a gentle reminder to appreciate the relationships that matter most.
Whether it is a quiet meal, a thoughtful check-in, or simply being fully there for one another, those moments are what sustain a relationship over time. “I’ve learned that love is built through patience and intention. It grows when you listen, when you are reliable, and when you choose one another in both ordinary and difficult moments. These are values we try to practice daily at home.”
“At this stage of my life, I’m most grateful for the sense of stability, warmth, and connection we’ve built as a family. Love, to me, feels steady and reassuring, something that is lived quietly and deeply every day.”
Rick Yupangco: A love language of presence and affection
For Rick Yupangco, head of the Premier Circle Division at Ayala Land Premier, love has evolved. “For many years, I thought love was best expressed by providing—making sure my family was safe, comfortable, and wanting for nothing,” he reflects. “While those things matter, I’ve come to realize that love is also expressed in the small, quiet moments: the ones that say ‘I see you’ and ‘I am here.’”
Today, his love language is presence and affection. “I try to be more intentional in showing my wife Juana and our children how much they mean to me—through simple gestures like more hugs and kisses, holding hands a little longer, or pausing to truly listen when they speak.”
“I’m learning to put my phone away, to be fully present in conversations, and to look into Juana’s eyes with the same warmth and gratitude I felt when we first started our life together.”
For him, Valentine’s Day is a lovely reminder, but love is something to practice daily. “It’s about going beyond meeting needs and making sure my family feels cherished, heard, and deeply valued. At the end of the day, the greatest gift we can give the people we love is our undivided attention and genuine tenderness.”
Karla Atilano-Aabo: On creating a safe space for love
Across the world in New York, Karla Atilano-Aabo, managing director and COO of The Fifth Avenue Hotel, speaks the language of intention and atmosphere.
“My husband Thomas is very social and loves being around people,” she shares. “But what really makes him happiest is feeling at home—cozy, relaxed, and surrounded by the people he loves most. Our lives in New York are busy and fast, so the moments that feel most like us are when we are at home in the Hamptons, when the fireplace is lit, a movie is playing, and something is cooking—everything just slows down and feels real.”
“I show love through attention and care,” she explains. Making his favorite roast chicken is not just about the meal—it is about creating a feeling. She delights in small gifts and surprises because she is always thinking of him. He loves feeling celebrated, cared for, and even a little spoiled. Meanwhile, Thomas values it when Karla steps into parts of his life that matter most, like spending time with his son or taking their dog out so he can fully relax.
“At my core, my love language is creating spaces where he feels safe, relaxed, and cared for,” she says. From designing their homes, thinking about how they live day to day, and how a space can support that. Karla loves sharing her world with Thomas—from her hotels to discovering great restaurants together.
They bond over traveling, antique shopping, and interior design. “At the end of the day, I show love by listening, paying attention, and creating a life where he feels supported, seen, and completely at home with me.”
Love reflects in the everyday
It’s no surprise that the ways Erica, Rick, and Karla show love reflect what they do every day. Erica, who preserves and cares for precious and beautiful things, brings that same attentiveness and thoughtfulness to her relationships. Rick, who creates meaningful relationships and provides welcoming homes for others, mirrors that care in how he nurtures and supports his family. Karla, who designs spaces where people feel truly seen and cared for, carries that same intention into her home and everyday interactions.
For all three, love isn’t just a feeling—it is expressed, quietly and meaningfully, in the everyday ways they connect, care, and show they are present.
It is choosing to listen fully, so someone feels truly seen. It is discovering the little things that make someone feel safe and happy. It is patience during difficult seasons and celebration in ordinary ones. It is reliability. Warmth. Effort.
As a parent, another love language is showing tough love—choosing what’s best for our children, even when it’s not easy.
In the end, “I love you” is rarely just three words. It is showing up. It is staying present. It is creating a home. And it is the little ways we show love—in our own language.
Love in the details
- Making their favorite coffee, tea, or cocktail just the way they love it
- Noticing the little things: a detail they mentioned, a fresh haircut, new makeup, or something they made themselves
- Sending a random “thinking of you” message out of the blue
- Putting your phone down and really listening, even on busy days
- Turning on their favorite show or playlist to create a bonding moment
- Planning a mini trip or outing to spend quality time together
- Spending one-on-one time—a walk, a coffee date, or just chatting without distractions
- Leaving a handwritten note or a small, unexpected surprise
- Starting the day with a lovingly prepared breakfast, or surprising them with dinner so they can relax and unwind
- Giving space when it’s needed—without guilt or resentment
- Celebrating small wins that show their effort, not just the milestones
- Offering a hand, a hug, or words that say, “I see you, and I love you”
