What act of kindness will you never forget?

It could be from a complete stranger or a family member — acts of kindness when we need them most, whether they are big or small, from near or far. Sometimes when we take the time and effort to be nice and to do something for somebody, we are changing the way they look at us, at themselves and even at the world — and hopefully they get inspired and pass it on.

Marivic Rufino, artist/writer/Red Cross board director: Kindness comes from the heart. Helping others has been something I believe in and practice. I’ve had a foot fracture in a cast for these past weeks so it has been difficult to move around alone. But I’ve been touched by small, gallant acts of kindness. My kids, friends, (and strangers) offer to drive for me, pamper me with food, carry my things, do errands, hold my arm. It’s such a blessing to have all these angels at a time when I really need them. I am very grateful.

Lito P. Nadal jr. managing partner, Anavision: I’ve been blessed growing up in a loving family and to have studied in an institution where love and service for others became a commitment. I perceived kindness everywhere almost every day to this day. Right now, the kindest moment I recall is when my 80-year-old grandfather walked (he was born in 1892 when everywhere was walking distance) about five kilometers from Blue Ridge to Katipunan to bring me my baon, which I had left at home. He invaded the tranquility and security of the grade school campus to search for me. Face to face, I was embarrassed and speechless when he handed me my favorite slice of bibingka. Lolo passed away of lung cancer after that. I think today is the best day to say, “You’re the best Lolo, thank you for starting it all.”

Apa Ongpin, businessman: It was my first time to visit Paris. Everyone had warned me that Parisians were masungit and could be arrogant. I arrived shortly after dawn and took the train from the airport into the city’s Quartier Latin, where I was to stay with my aunt. The station was almost completely deserted at this hour of the morning. Being inexperienced, I had no idea that the large suitcase I had brought would not fit through the comb-like rotating exit doors of the station. I stood there, and looked from my suitcase to the doors, stumped. Presently, four old men arrived. They looked exactly like a cartoon depiction of Frenchmen, with berets on their heads, and two of them literally had baguettes under their arms. They immediately saw my dilemma. Instead of exiting through the comb doors themselves, they gestured for me to follow them. They led me back through the maze of corridors to a different exit. No one spoke at all; they just kept beckoning me to follow them. This other exit had instead turnstiles like in a supermarket. My suitcase still wouldn’t fit through the gap at the same time as me, so wordlessly, they helped me carry the suitcase over the turnstile. At the foot of the stairs leading out to the street, I finally spoke, and thanked them in French. They became very effusive and were happy to find a tourist who actually spoke French. We had a nice chat, then set off in our respective directions.

Anki Soler, businessman: I can’t really pinpoint a particular act of kindness, but what comes to mind would be acts of kindness my parents expressed to me as a youngster growing up in such a large family. The amount of patience and understanding they had to have in raising me and my siblings is truly an act of kindness only parents with big hearts would suffer through! I remember a time when I, as a teenager coming home inebriated (for the first time), found my mother already up early in the morning and looked after me as I came to terms with such a difficult rite of passage. I think the impact of her not getting upset but dealing with me in such a caring way made me realize that perhaps that kind of adolescent activity was not very smart. I don’t think I did that much after that!

Marissa Alejandro Lopa, design consultant, writer: Almost 20 years ago, while still residing in Tarlac, former President Cory Aquino (my husband’s aunt) asked me to take special care of a lady named Cora who grew local lime or dayap on her little farm in Pampanga. The seeds had come directly from Peru where Cora’s husband had once worked. The President had also informed Cora that should she need any help or need to contact her, Cora could come to me. So for many harvests, good and bad times, Cora and I would be in constant communication. With the help of President Aquino’s sister Passy, son-in-law Manolo and my husband Rocky, she even expanded her farm. Sadly, Mount Pinatubo erupted and Cora and her family moved to Florida. Calls became infrequent as her family settled into their new home. Then out of the blue, almost two years ago, I got a call from Cora from Florida. She had heard that the President was ill. She called to tell me how she has been praying for all of us, especially the President, and how she always remembers us. She also called because a balikbayan box was arriving any day now filled with cancer-fighting food like her homemade bottled salmon for President Aquino. There was also another box with more goodies for Aunty Passy, Manolo, Rocky and me. Cora had also heard of the rice shortage so she sent sacks of rice for us also. I was so moved by her act of kindness especially because here was a person, not even related, who lived so far away yet was thoughtful beyond words.

Mars Chua, businessman: It was one Saturday evening when good friends came to my rescue in my hotel room in Cebu and offered their full support, sympathy and empathy after an upper back pain that radiates to other areas in the spine made me unable to move. They rushed me to the hospital and stayed with me till the wee hours of the morning until I was discharged. One of my best friends left behind some friends and acquaintances and took the first flight back to Manila to bring me to another hospital for a more complete check up. I find this act of kindness to be ultimate and true. And to this day I am still thankful and grateful to these people. If it were not for them I would have suffered in pain alone n that room.

Tarlac Represenative Nikki Teodoro: For me, nothing compares to the kindness shown by a child because it is always pure and sincere. Whenever I visit Amor Village, my priority project for abandoned, abused and neglected children, the little ones would welcome me with their huge smiles and warm hugs and would repeatedly say “thank you” for providing them with their new home. They are very appreciative and easy to please. I was also delighted when they sent me a card for my birthday with their own handwriting and cute drawings on it. It’s the compliment, the gratitude and the warm welcome that I receive from these children that keep me going. It’s the simplest things other people do that always stay with me.

Dr. Philip Ella Juico, former Agrarian Reform secretary/dean, De La Salle University Ramon V. del Rosario Sr. Graduate School of Business: The greatest challenge my wife Margie and our four children (Jennifer, Vincent, Joseph and Lena Marie) confronted was when I went through a series of highly-publicized investigations (seven in a period of three years) for entering into a contract to buy land for farmers/peasants under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) on terms allegedly disadvantageous to the government when I was secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) during the administration of President Corazon C. Aquino. I was investigated by a joint committee of the House and the Senate; by the National Bureau of Investigation (at my request after I obtained new information on the property known as the Garchitorena estate in Bicol); three offices within the Ombudsman and the (Jose) Feria Sr. Fact Finding Committee. I was finally tried by the Sandiganbayan after I was indicted by the Ombudsman on May 31, 1991. A few days later, on June 8, my father, who turned 87 on June 8, passed away but not after seeing for himself the headlines and hearing on television and radio of the indictment. I was saddened by the fact that he brought this burden with him to his grave. All these high-profile investigations and hearings lasted more than three years: from May 1989 up to July 1992, when the Sandiganbayan acquitted me of the charges in very clear terms. To my surprise and eternal gratitude, I was besieged by offers of help, gratis et amore, from about 15 of the country’s finest lawyers (one of whom eventually became a justice of the Supreme Court) and the law firms ACCRA and Siguion-Reyna. I got support from enlightened members of media who were wise enough to know that there was a demolition job in progress designed to bring me and CARP down. Not one asked for a single centavo. That act of kindness meant so much to me, especially to Margie and our children (who were the butt of cruel jokes in school) who stood by me all the way and prayed for my exoneration. The controversy was in media for eight straight weeks, even edging out the Tiananmen Massacre and the nationwide transport strike from the headlines of all the major newspapers. It even reached the American press. The transaction had been unfairly prejudged a “scam” way before all the facts were soberly and objectively presented. I take this opportunity to thank all these lawyers and media friends. It’s just unfortunate I cannot name them since I would like to honor their request to remain anonymous. You know who you are. I will never forget your act of kindness.