‘Gayuma’ in Quiapo still a Valentine’s staple

It's Valentine's Day, and while most people exchange flowers and chocolates, others go to Quiapo—with the hope of being adored, through gayuma, or love potions.

The popularity of these magical oils remains despite contemporary romance through dating apps, showing that some still believe in the mystical forces of love.

“Ngayong araw, ang dami nang bumili. Minsan hindi pa tapos ang tanghali, paubos na,” says Ate Tess, a vendor who has sold gayuma for over two decades. 

Customers are often young adults who aim to attract a crush. Some of them are middle-aged individuals wishing to rekindle a lost love. Vendors claim that some customers return every year, swearing about the effectiveness of their potions.

While old-fashioned gayuma used to involve complicated rituals and personal objects such as hair or nails, the contemporary versions are easily accessible. They now come in many forms such as aromatic oils, herbal infusions, and even small bottles containing Pang-akit or Halik ni Maria.

Both are bestsellers believed to enhance charm and attract affection. Pang-akit supposedly enhances inner beauty, making one more attractive to one's intended partner. Sellers call it an invisible confidence booster. It is usually worn like perfume, with a few drops behind the ears and on the wrists, or added to personal objects.

At the same time, Halik ni Maria is said to induce greater love and devotion. While Pang-akit is applied for initial attraction, Halik ni Maria is utilized by couples who want to deepen their relationship or bring the fire again from a lost passion. The oil is sometimes combined with whispered prayers or incantations to maximize its alleged potency.

But after the love-filled holiday, vendors usually observe another demand. 

"Pagtapos ng Valentine's, marami naman ang bumibili ng pamparegla," says Ate Beng, referring to herbal medicines said to allegedly cause menstruation. 

These discreetly bought products imply more substantive concerns regarding reproductive health and unintended relationships circulating in modern society.

The survival of gayuma and allied products underscores the convergence of tradition, religion, and desperation. As a mood booster or a final attempt to seduce someone's heart, the ongoing use of love potions further strengthens the timelessness of romantic mystery.

Despite the doubt, Quiapo's gayuma remains popular, even sold on social media shopping apps to cater to younger, tech-savvy buyers. Some dismiss it as superstition, others claim it works—either by placebo or true mystical ability.

As Valentine's Day passes, regardless of whether one opts for flowers, dating websites, or a small bottle of gayuma, one thing is sure—love, in all its forms, will never fall out of fashion.

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