What’s the most touching expression of true love you have ever seen?

I used to think that true love was hard to find. Well, at first it really was — until I realized that true love is always around, waiting for me to appreciate and acknowledge its presence in my life. I found my true love through my parents, children and closest friends.

We’ve celebrated Valentine’s yesterday, but let us keep in mind that love is here all year round and will always be for the rest of our lives, and for as long as we allow it.

We have to believe that true love is and can be visible in our lives and through others — for as long as we keep our eyes and heart open for it.

For you, what’s the most touching expression of true love you have ever seen?

Lesley Mobo, international fashion designer

The most recent expression of love for me was… when my good friend for 10 years put his hand on my shoulder as we walked by. It’s the love language of physical touch. A simple touch is a powerful emotional touch.

Pin Antonio, hair stylist

My favorite movie for lovers out there is Letters To Juliet. It signifies the value of true love. True love will lead you to him/her, but if nothing is done it won’t work out. So whatever happens, even if your heart will lead you to him/her, you have to follow it up with action, hard work and perseverance. And that is true love.

Tom Apacible, former Batangas Representative

The most shining examples of love for country I can think of are the 44 heroic SAF commandos who accomplished their very daring mission of finally silencing a terrorist bomb expert who has and would have still caused many more senseless deaths of countless innocent victims. In memory of the Fallen 44 and as a meaningful response of a grateful people, we should all exert even more efforts to advance the peace process with all our brother Muslims who also yearn for peace and development in Mindanao.

QT Del Mar, former Cebu Representative

I was on a family vacation, and my boyfriend at that time kept asking me questions like who was at our place, if it was okay for him to go there and all. I thought he was going to drop something off for me, the way he always did. Fast forward to many hours after, I woke up to MMS photos he sent to my mobile showing how he redecorated and rearranged my entire room and bathroom! He wasn’t an architect or interior decorator, but he did it without professional help. I was touched that he even managed to fit it into his extremely busy schedule, and could not believe that he did all the moving and carrying himself, even sawing off the top part of the shelves that he brought cause they wouldn’t fit. He just had a little help from his P.A. and driver. The story doesn’t end there; we eventually went separate ways and I hardly ever saw him afterwards. He surprised me and fixed it up again many years later while I was on another trip. I was so pleased when sent me the pictures on WhatsApp. He did it all in just one afternoon with some help from his driver and joyful friend. Time is truly the most precious gift that one can give.

Aryanna Epperson, MTV VJ

Crazy, Stupid, Love — the imperfection of love is what makes it perfect. Love is honest, kind, weird, happy, honest, awkward, beautiful, awesome, and gives you that fuzzy feeling in your belly that you want to let out and share with others. Crazy, Stupid, Love reminds us that love can be renewed, serendipitous, and maybe even a little bit crazy and stupid, too.

Jasmine Curtis, actress

The most touching showing of true love that I know of is the love my mother has for her family — the hard work she went through, sacrificing her own education so that all eight of her siblings could finish their studies. All her earnings went to them, and she never complained.

Derek Ramsay, actor

I have watched the movie Miracle in Cell No. 7 and it’s a beautiful story about the love between a mentally ill father and his daughter.  The father is accused of murder and rape of a little girl.  In prison, his inmates help him see his daughter again by sneaking her in. Although mentally unfit, the emotion and love of the father is undeniable. And then you have a smart and understanding daughter, who loves her father so much and doesn’t see her father differently.

Gelli De Belen, actress

The love of a parent. Unconditional, no day- off and no boundaries. A clear example would be our OFWs when they leave their family to work abroad. They endure the  hardships of working in a foreign land not knowing what is in store for them there. Not being able to see their children grow up  in their presence. Taking care of strangers or working so far away without getting the chance to hug or kiss their children goodnight nor the chance to watch  their children grow up, missing out on birthdays, Christmas holidays, graduations and milestones,  just so they can provide them with education and a more comfortable life. They knowingly deny themselves so many things as long as they can give their children a better life. Now, that, in my opinion, is a perfect example of true love.

Angelu De Leon-Rivera, actress

First thing that popped into mind were these verses: John 15:13 — “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. — as well as 1 John 3:16 — “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us.” So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. He (Jesus) sacrificed His life for me on the cross in spite of who I am and what I have done. He chose to love me first before I chose to love Him. For me the act of true love is really sacrifice. Sacrifice of time and pride, not sacrifice to gain. I also feel acts of true love from my mother, Flora, who sacrificed most of her time with me, especially when I was starting my career. She was my driver, yaya and everything she could be. For my siblings and her apos, she would sacrifice her time for us to this day. And, of course, my husband Wowie for showing me true love with the sacrifice of pride. People know what I have been through, and still he chose to accept my past — and especially my kids. He chose to marry me in spite of what other people may think or say. He made my dream come true: to have my complete family.

Atty. Romulo B. Macalintal, lawyer

She became a widow at the age of 39 with three sons aged 6-10 years old whom she raised and sent to school through her meager income as a dressmaker in her small shop at home.  She was financially poor but her heart was so filled with love that she could not refuse to adopt the child of her equally poor cousin. She is Ms. Lydia dela Cruz and that child was Ivy, who was born with cerebral palsy (a disease that causes physical disability characterized by muscle disorders or uncontrollable movements of the different parts of the body.)  Lydia took Ivy in her care when the latter was only two years old.  She personally fed her, bathed her, put her to sleep in her own bed and gave her all the tender, loving care of a mother, and taught her three sons to likewise love Ivy as their own siblings. It is only love and divine inspiration that could sustain Lydia to take full responsibility of nurturing Ivy just like a normal child without expecting any reward for this great sacrifice. And, undoubtedly, God was on Lydia’s side. Since Lydia took Ivy in her care, she remained healthy and was making good as a dressmaker — as she continued her grace-filled decision to make Ivy feel a mother’s unconditional love — until Ivy died at the age of 29 in 2013. Lydia’s true love for Ivy should serve as a constant reminder for all of us that every child is a precious gift or inheritance from God.

Dette  Aquino-Tan, businesswoman

I’ve always believed that true love is not necessarily about grandiose public expressions but is done rather in the quiet and daily actions that nourish and keep our hearts happy and full. I have had a number of trials in my life, but through it all my daughter has stood beside me, serving as an unfailing source of full support and true love. Today, and when I look back,  I see true love in our daily talks, her concern for my well-being, in the way she is always on my side and in her trust in me. While other people come and go in our lives, I am confident of my daughter and our relationship because it is based on unconditional and selfless love. Her constant love for me has been the greatest expression of true love in my life.