What is the sweetest thing a special someone did to you?

CEBU, Philippines - It’s the feast of St. Valentine again and despite the fact that it’s been smeared by commercialism, love abounds,  in so many ways, in so many manifestations. Love is Albus Dumbledore’s greatest weapon against the Dark Lord in the popular books turned movie series Harry Potter. Back to reality, science postulates that love is only a chemical reaction and will decay after six months. So now love has been deduced to a mere synaptic reaction in our multitude of ganglia but I do believe in love. Really and truly despite attacks from cynics.

So an ambush interview on what is the sweetest thing a special someone has ever done to our fashionista subjects surmised. And here are their responses:

1. Kris Cabigas (model) – The sweetest thing a special someone did for me was when my high school sweetheart, who is now living in Hong Kong, went back to the country to watch me win Mr. Cebu 2009. She brought her entire family with her and sat in the front row. I didn’t expect she would go that far to show her support.

2. Edwin Ao (designer) – Someone gave me a birthday cake inspired by my dress for an editorial shoot.

3. Blinky de Leon (model/ TV personality) – It was my birthday party and I wished he was there but that someone told me he is out of town. Surprisingly, he crossed the seas to be with me and I was deeply touched.

4. Blui Arriola (model) – That special someone prepared breakfast for me every morning. Love you, Mom.

5. Anna Maris Igpit (beauty queen/ TV personality) – He took me on a boating trip and we watched the sunset in the middle of the sea near Camotes Island. It was priceless.

6. McBilly Wilford Sy (model/TV personality) – She cooked me my favorite dish complete with baked desserts and after, we spent the whole night stargazing. It was magical!

7. Marco Protacio (hotelier) - It happened many years ago when I was still a student abroad. I had an accident and my left hand was placed in a cast. I was flying home for Christmas and being left-handed, I couldn't cut my food when they served the in-flight meal. A total stranger seated beside me offered to cut-up my food into bite-sized pieces. I thought that was really sweet most especially when that person had nothing to gain from that genuine act of kindness. That episode in my life just affirmed my belief in the good of other people. Then, a year after that, more overwhelmingly, I was given a chance to repay that act of kindness in the exact same way! Again, I was on a flight back home for the Christmas holidays and this time I was seated beside a homebound Filipino seaman who also had an accident on his left hand. He was also unable to eat during the flight due to his cast. Therefore, it was my opportunity to repay the unconditional kindness given to me a year before. Such miracles coming from ordinary days from ordinary people made extarordinary.

8. Barbie Alvez (designer/ new Mom) – My husband is not the affectionate and showy type but when it comes to defending and taking care of me when it’s just us, he’s all out. And every waking moment at home, I always get a big hug, a long kiss and an “I love you” from him before he’s out of the door.

9. Marc Arens (model) – She made a scrapbook with our pictures in it. All in one night.

1.Stephanie Señires (model/beauty queen) – I’m in a relationship now and so far it’s been no less than awesome. My boyfriend always makes an effort to be with me everyday. For us, it’s little things like that, that matters a lot. Plus he watches Tagalog movies with me even if he doesn’t understand it haha!