MANILA, Philippines -- Among all Asians, Filipinos are the most sold to the idea of celebrating romance on Valentine?s Day, according to an informal survey made by GE Money.

A retail financial services company, GE Money surveyed 3,115 employees in its units and joint venture partners in eight countries of Asia to study their consumption habits related to the celebration.

Conducted between January 28 and February 4, the poll covered 212 respondents from the Philippines.

The survey found that 72 percent of respondents from the Philippines said that they intended to celebrate Valentine?s Day in 2008, the highest proportion observed in all nationalities covered in the study.

The most desired gift among Filipinos for Valentine's were flowers, with 71 percent of females and 49 percent of males saying so.

Also, 55 percent of Filipinas wanted jewelry while 37 percent of Filipinos preferred travel.

The least favored gifts among Filipinos were soft or stuffed toys with only half of the women and 44 percent of the men wanting them.

Overall, 73 percent of the Asian respondents looked at Valentine's Day as a commercial exercise, but three out of every four said that they "liked" the occasion as a way of showing feelings for a loved one and as a chance for romance.

Further, the survey indicated that Asian women planned to spend slightly more than men on Valentine?s Day, with approximately 86 percent of women and 78 percent of men planning to spend up to $250.

This, despite other results from the survey showing that respondents believed men should spend more than women.

Based on the findings, Singaporeans, Chinese and Koreans are likely to be the biggest Valentine?s spenders, with 60 percent of Singaporeans and 50 percent of Chinese indicated that they would spend $100 to $500 this season.

Of the Koreans, 78 percent said they planned to spend up to $250.

Among Filipinos, 21 percent said women should not spend for anything on Valentine's Day while 60 percent said they would use cash on their purchases.

GE Money Asia conducts surveys to better understand how people live their lives at work and in leisure, and the role that consumer finance can play to help them achieve their goals.

The latest survey was meant to provide insights into the spending habits of the group's Asian employees this Valentine?s Day.