How far would you go for someone you love?

Action speaks louder than words. You can profess love all you want, but when it comes to proving it, some people balk at the idea of going the extra mile or making sacrifices for the happiness of the people they love. Music, film, and literature are filled with extraordinary love and sacrifices made by otherwise ordinary people. And often, you find these stories in real life, as well.

JOANNE ZAPANTA ANDRADA, governor, Philippine National Red Cross: I would certainly give my life for them. I am a mom, and like any parent, I would not think twice about dying for my children if the situation called for it. Dying for your loved one has been immortalized in film and literature since time immemorial, and for good reason — it is, to many   people, the ultimate act of love. I believe, however, that living for the one you love is also just as meaningful. Living for that person means you’re willing to make sacrifices for the sake of your loved one’s personal growth. As parents, my husband Noel and I constantly extend ourselves for our children every day. I am happy to note that as a couple we willingly extend ourselves for each other as well!       

KHRISTINE GABRIEL, spokesperson, Everbilena: When I profess love to someone, I mean it in every sense of the word. I love without question or without asking for anything in return. When I was a courtside reporter for the PBL, I fell in love with a more mature man who was the chairman of the league. Because I loved him, I fought for him against all odds. Queber to all, for as long as I could make him happy. It’s been eight years since and there’s no looking back. I took a 180-degree turn for love. It was a paradigm shift — less about me, more about my   loved one.    

KATHLEEN GO DY, general manager, Universal Records: People do crazy things in the name of love, or what they believe is love. A lot of women in particular allow themselves to be in unhealthy and unsafe situations, all   because of “love.” Personally, I believe that you can go   only as far as your partner is willing to go. You cannot make up the love that is lacking by loving your partner more. It usually doesn’t last. Having said that, and this being on the eve of my wedding anniversary, I would go to the ends of the earth for my husband and children.  

RAJ SADHWANI, businessman: Love offers surrendering my whole being to be with my two wonderful kids, Sam and Martin, growing in knowledge and emotions together with them, and most especially getting inspiration to move up in life and in my work. Knowing how far I can go for the ones I love is a measure of just how much I can give myself to my kids. I work really hard to be able to give them a bright future.   Furthermore, I take good care of myself in order to live long enough to watch them grow, to support them and witness their success in their chosen fields.   

Camsur Governor LRAY VILLAFUERTE: Boundless, limitless. I would do anything without the   slightest hesitation for the ones I love the most. I would do everything to make them happy. My family is my priority.   Spending as much time with them as possible is my priority. I   would make the world stand still when it comes to the ones I love.

ODETTE PUMAREN, homemaker: I would say very far! I’m the type to go against the whole world for him, if I felt he was worth fighting for, but without losing myself in the process and still within logical and somehow reasonable boundaries.

MARTA MARI, Matute Cake Shop owner/artist: I would go as far as morality allows me. This is expressing unconditional goodness, given proper values and principles.    

JOHN TIANGCO, managing director, Trans Pacific Journey Fishing Corp.: I would do absolutely anything for my loved ones. Nothing can possibly come before my wife and family.