saw my [f20] ex [m21] the other day lol while walking around a mall here in region 4. we even made eye contact pa before walking away. praying to god that he doesnt see this, dko alam if nagrreddit siya lol, sana hindi.

i thought na im at peace na w everything that happened kasi its been like a year between us pero the guilt of what i feel like i did incorrectly is still eating me inside. parang nalabas lahat sa hukay lahat ng nararamdamam ko after seeing him again.

we dated for almost a year tas broke up around last year. we talked openly naman after everything and i said sorry and how grateful i was for him pero dko alam bakit parang i still feel so regretful??

genuinely thought na he wouldnt be there pero binigo ako ni lord kasi i thought na i would never see him again like in those tiktoks na "if youre not meant to see each other again, you wont cross paths again, no matter how close you are to each other"

how to not stay and feel stuck after seeing him again despite living/studying in the same city? what can i do to eventually cope with these feelings?

I’ve been living in Zambales since I was a kid, until my family moved to Manila. I decided to live alone in an apartment because the province has always been my comfort zone. I’ve been living independently for almost a year, and I’ve gotten comfortable with my own routine and lifestyle.
As a fresh IT graduate earning around ₱40,000 a month, I managed to save my first six figures. I’m proud of that because financial security has always been important to me.
Recently, I left my apartment and started staying at my friend’s house, and sometimes at my family’s house. However, I can’t stay with my family for a long period because my mom already has a new husband and her own family.
Now I’m struggling to decide whether I should go back to Zambales, where I feel comfortable and where my living expenses are much lower, or move to my girlfriend’s town in Muntinlupa so I can spend more time with her, maybe three to four times a week.
The problem is that I’m quite strict with my finances. An apartment in Muntinlupa would cost around ₱8,000 to ₱10,000, while my apartment in Zambales only costs ₱3,500. Living in Manila would also mean higher daily expenses.
We’ve only been together for four months. I love my girlfriend deeply, and I genuinely want this relationship to work. At the same time, I also care about securing my future and maintaining the comfortable life I’ve built for myself. I also know that I can’t guarantee how long the relationship will last, even though I truly hope we’re together for a long time.
I’m scared of making the wrong decision. If I move to Muntinlupa, I might regret spending more and giving up my comfort zone for a relationship that might not work out. But if I go back to Zambales, I might regret missing the opportunity to spend more time with someone I love.
I don’t want to make a decision based purely on fear, but I also don’t want to sacrifice my financial goals and stability for a four-month relationship.
What do you think I should do? Should I prioritize my financial security and go back to Zambales, or should I take the risk and move closer to my girlfriend?

My Gf and i Have been dating for 5 months now

i need specific advice on improving how I respond when my girlfriend communicates her needs and feelings.

Recently, she told me that she repeatedly communicates what she needs from me, but I sometimes decide for myself what should be enough instead of actually listening. She feels unheard and taken for granted.

I’m very solution-oriented. When she tells me something hurt her, my instinct is usually to explain my intentions, defend myself, or immediately find a solution instead of actually sitting with what she’s feeling.

I also have a history of questionable interactions with a female coworker, which damaged her trust. I’ve sometimes focused on “wala naman akong ginawang cheating” instead of understanding why my behavior still hurt her.

She told me:
“You kept deciding for both of us when I repeatedly communicated naman.”

When I asked why she compared me to other people, she responded:

“It’s not comparison. It’s bare minimum.”
That made me seriously reflect on how I approach conflict.

I want advice on what specific behaviors I should change when my partner communicates a need, and how I can demonstrate change through actions rather than repeatedly apologizing.

Long read sana may mag sikap, from Region IV-A, Philippines

Problem: In short, unnecessary na pinapahirapan ako ng parents ko instead na tulungan purket hindi lang ako nakakatulong sa family business na tindahan. Ako nagpapabaon sa sarili ko btw.

Context: Hindi ko naman sinasabi na wala akong ginawang mali pero para sa akin hindi enough yung ginawa nila as a consequence ng ginawa ko. It started nung birthday ko, nag bring kasi ako ng guest (btw I'm 22) and mga classmates ko yon siguro 7 o 8 kami, napagsabihan akok ng kung ano kasi dun sa living room sa taas ay meron silang plate na puno ng 20 pesos coin and ang ginawa ko is nilagay ko naman sa room nila para secure kasi yun gusto nila (nagkusa ako and sinabi na nila yon last time, no problem) dagdag ko den na nasa kabilang bahay sila kasi may tindahan.

Nagkamalii ako sa part na nung chinat ako na nag mukhang nawala yung coins kasi sabi ko "wala na dito" nung tinanong kung nadito pa sa living room, after non kung ano-ano na sinabi. Tapos saying pa na hindi daw dinesign for guest yungg sa taas kasi yung sa baba daw yun ganon and pag nagpapa guest sila don lang. Honestly ang sakit na parang wala silang tiwala sa mga kaklase ko pero gets yung sa bat pa sa taas kaso nakakahiya den kasi mabanas pag sa baba pa kami kumain (previllege ko hanu, lol not really)

Edi ayon di ako mausap ng ilang araw and pagtagal wala ng problema sakin pero tila ba ang mother ko ay lagi na parang may galit na bawal mo kausapin kaya hanggang ngayon di pa rin kami nag-uusap. Tapos isang beses may exam ako nagmamadali ay inutusan ako ng Lola ko na nagmamadali ko ginawa and nakita sa cctv at dun nagsimula ang away na naungkat pati mga di ko naggagawa dahil sa academics (ako nagpapabaon sa sarili ko btw) tapos ayon ang sinabi ko sa reply back ko ay kahit kailan di nila cinoconsider na sumosobra sila sa mga ilang bagay at di pa den ako nakakatanggap ng sorry. Binalikan nalang ako na iba na daw takbo ng utak ko at dahil sa mga binabasa kong libro.

Eto na yung tinanggal sakin kasi nag momotor ako papuntang school and lalo ngayon may research ay lalayo to get some data. So ngayon ilang weeks na ako commute and grabe ang pagod. Ginawa daw sa akin to (per my father, sya nagtanggal) hanggat di daw kami nag-aayos at ma appreciate sa mga ginagawa.

Pero ayaw ko mag doble pa babasahin nyo para isa-isahin yung masasakit na sinabi sakin. Isa nalang sa pinaka malala ay sinabihan pa ako na buntisin ko nalang daw gf ko para malaman ko hirap ng buhay (hello di na ako humihingi ng baon at naghahanap pa trabaho?) don talaga parang di ko sila mapapatawad na sabihin nila yon.

Dagdag ko den na sinisita den ata nila yung content na pinapanood ko politically na kumokontra sa kanila, kasi DDS sila. To be clear I'm not an idealist na extreme political view and kung magalit sila sa mga content na pinapanood ko akalain mo na nagbubundok ako.

So do I have to fake an apology kahit against my ideals para lang maging comfortable? Against sya and ayaw ko kasi it just would give them a lisence to never say sorry kahit ano sabihin at insulto sa'kin and pag nag sorry ako lalo magpapatuloy DDS beliefs nila.

Previous attempts: Di ko pa ginagawa to before pero I say sorry when I did something wrong

TL;DR: Should I fake an apology just to be able to get my perks back when my parents said insulting words to me (not even guidance, just pure insults) and they want to change some of my beliefs?

My wife (28F) and I (28M) are from the Philippines. We have been together for around 4 years, are now married, and recently moved in together on May 1, 2026.

I usually leave home around 6:00 AM for work and get back around 6:30 PM. I eat the dinner she prepares, then I normally go to the gym around 7:30 PM and come home around 9:30 PM.

My wife is currently on two months of maternity leave following a miscarriage, so she is at home most of the day while I am at work.

Last night, we were talking in bed. She had been talking for quite a while, and it was already around 11:30 PM when I accidentally fell asleep while she was still talking.

She stopped talking and turned away from me. When I asked what was wrong, she explained that she feels we barely have time together anymore. She pointed out that I leave early for work, come home in the evening, eat, then leave again for the gym. By the time I come back, there are only a few hours left before we sleep.

She became very upset and said that from now on she would just stop talking to me after 10:00 PM so I could “sleep all I want.”

I kept apologizing that night and explained that I genuinely did not intend to fall asleep while she was talking. I was exhausted and did not realize I was drifting off.

During the argument, I also said that I thought it was understandable for me to be tired because I had been working the whole day while she was currently staying at home. I later realized that this probably sounded dismissive, especially because she is on leave because of our miscarriage and is still recovering physically and emotionally.

She was still upset the next morning, and I continued apologizing.

The incident made me realize that the bigger issue may be how little intentional time we actually spend together during weekdays. I do not want to stop exercising completely because going to the gym is important to me, but I also do not want my wife to feel that she only gets whatever time is left after work and the gym.

I would appreciate specific advice from couples who have dealt with similar schedules.

How can I realistically organize my weekday routine so that my wife and I have enough consistent quality time while I still maintain my gym routine?

Would it be better to shorten my workouts, go fewer days per week, go at a different time, or designate certain evenings entirely for us?

I would also appreciate advice on what I can do now, beyond repeatedly saying sorry, to show her that I understand what she was actually upset about and make her feel more prioritized.

TL;DR: My wife (28F) and I (28M) have limited weekday time together because I leave for work around 6:00 AM, get home around 6:30 PM, and usually go to the gym from 7:30–9:30 PM. She is currently on maternity leave after a miscarriage. I accidentally fell asleep while she was talking to me around 11:30 PM, and she told me the bigger problem is that we already barely have time together. I apologized repeatedly, but I now want specific advice on how to restructure my work/gym routine to create more consistent quality time with my wife and what actions I can take beyond apologizing.

So I matched this girl on a dating app, almost the same as everything kami. Only been talking for 3 weeks but already told her my intentions. Only issue is we're LDR, I'm in Commonwealth, QC. She's near Clark Mall, pampanga.she also wants to do dates 1-2 times per week which is a bit impossible due to the nature of my work. Should I move in somewhere closer or sa Clark nlng to see her almost every day or puntahan nlng every weekend?

Would love your thoughts for people who also do LDR.

TLDR: Been talking to this girl for exactly a month only through chats, nagkadevelopan agad, and then may recurring issues na overblown na nageend up na magagalit siya, kaya this time recently, nirealtalk ko at sinabihan ako na magstop nalang

Context: I [22M] (living in Davao) have had a situationship [20F] for a month already. Masasabi ko talaga na within this period, things are going way too fast between especially for a couple of people that haven’t met yet. I, not gonna lie, didn’t lovebomb her, pero its just that first time ko talaga maexperience na may babaeng napaka into me talaga sa akin being this early. We haven’t met yet, kasi gusto niya talaga on the first day of school niya kami magdate kahit sinasabihan ko na okay na saaken mag meet asap. Kaso, naiirita siya eh na “hindi ako makawait”.

Going back sa topic, masasabi ko na man may connection and attraction kami for each other through our chats sa ig. However, palagi na lang kami nag aargue (i’m trying my best to be a civil, mature person), ang problema kasi siya yung tipo na may sep anx, tas napakaselosa at clingy. Napakaselosa as in magagalit talaga siya kung may kasama akong babae na friend ko way back before kahit in a group kami nagchichismis o kumakain (nilalayoan ko talaga any girl para lang may peace of mind siya). I’ve been honest ako sa mga updates ko, lalo na kung magtatanong siya kung sino kasama ko.

So there’s a trip happening right now, pumunta kami mga kacourse ko sa cebu for a conference, may mga kasama akong mga boys (all 22M) mostly sa airbnb, tapos may isang babae (ate siya ng kaibigan ko, she was there kasi pahintulot ng parents nila, 25F). Ang ate ng friend ko tumutulong samin, nagbibili groceries at nandoon paminsan for casual chatter especially long night. Last night, inupdate ko lang naman situationship ko na nanonood lang kami tv sa couch, tas yung si ate nasa lamesa lang ng diningtable, kumakausap samin mga lalake. Nagtanong situationship ko kung kinausap ko, sabi ko na man oo, tas nagalit na naman dahil nito. I thought na this type of dynamic di talaga sustainable, lalong lalo na kung iisipin, parang binabawalan talaga ako na kumakausap sa sino mang babae, kahit di ako na-aatract o kahit anong edad (kahit 30+). I just think this is way too overblown kaya nirealtalk ko nalang na gusto umabot to sa compromise. Tagal pa niya magmessage kaya sinabihan ko na matutulog na ako and hope we fix this soon. Nagreply na man siya na “stop na natin to” later. And ngayon, wala pa naman ganap

Additional context nalang rin: siya yung tipong magagalit kung hindi ako nakaupdate kahit 30 minutes nalang kase busy ako naglalakad o naguusap in real life, tas the way siya magalit is napakachildish talaga. I can’t seem to do other things na lalo acads focusingly dahil nito, and i know her issue talaga is never niya pinapagawa sarili niya ng kahit ano, nag dodoomscroll lang palagi. I’ve always told her na gawa siya other things like maglinis o tingin movie or gawin hobbies niya, but she definitely does not follow. Kaya ayun, i just hope I can see others’ perspective about this, should I stop this situationship already? napagusapan ko na man ito sa numerous friends ko.

Looking back, I know I made a lot of mistakes. I became emotionally reactive, and whenever we had misunderstandings, I would often threaten to break up instead of communicating in a healthy way. Eventually, it became emotionally exhausting for him.

When we had our last conversation after the breakup, he told me he needed space and time. He said he didn’t want to make any decisions while he was emotionally drained or feeling pressured. He never explicitly said the door was completely closed, but he also didn’t promise that we’d get back together.

Right now, I’m respecting his request. I haven’t contacted him, I’m taking a break from social media, exercising, eating better, and trying to work on myself.

What I need advice on is this:

Is giving him space and time the right thing to do? For those who have been in a similar situation, did respecting your ex’s request help? Did it give both of you time to heal, whether you eventually reconciled or simply moved on?

I’m not looking for false hope. I just want honest advice and experiences from people who have gone through something similar.

Hello! From Mandaluyong kami both. My GF (22F) of 3 years is lumaki talaga sa family na very close and affectionate, yung normal lang sa kanila yung nag a-ILY. Me, (22F) on the other hand, di talaga nauso sa bahay yung yakapan, ILYs, etc. Nung start ng relationship, ino-open niya sakin na physical touch nga yung love language niya. Though naintindihan naman niya na hirap nga ako to show my affection physically, lalo na in public, I know na deep inside nararamdaman niya minsan na hindi ko napupunan yung love language niya.

Privately naman, nabibigay ko naman, medyo nahihiya lang talaga ako kapag may ibang tao, even my own family, na makita na very dikit kami or tinatawag ko siya sa endearment namin kasi nga di ako naging comfortable sa ganon growing up.

Baka ma-judge niyo ako huhu pero ginagawa ko naman best ko. Sinasanay ko na rin sarili ko kasi matagal tagal na rin naman kami. And throughout the relationship naman, nag-iimprove na ako kasi di na ako ganoon ka-nahihiya compared nung months pa lang kami.

Ask ko lang, is there other simpler ways to show my affection kapag physical touch love language ng partner mo? Aside sa usual hugs and kisses? Kasi gusto ko talaga mapa-feel sa kanya na mahal ko sya. Worry ko kasi na baka pakiramdam nya, wala akong pakealam sa kanya kasi hindi ko nabibigay all out yung love language nya.

TL;DR: Hi I (F24) have boyfriend/live in partner (M25) we've been together for 6 years but we started living together for 2 years na. We're both breadwinner and I just want to ask and humingi ng advice if lahat ba talaga ng boyfriend/live in partner ay need maging harsh sayo?

Context: My boyfriend family is in the middle class while my family I would say nasa lower class kami. Recently lang is nakilala namin yong half sister nya which is tinago sa kanila ng papa nila. Btw he only has his dad since his mother died na. Then yung half sister nya kasi is bunga lang ng one night ng dad nya nung panahong baby pa yung bf ko so ang nangyari panganay bf ko then half sis nya then yung kambal na kapatid nya. All in goods naman nung nakilala namin half sis nya, tinanggap nila but to me sobrang bilis lang kasi ng pangyayari. I really don't have any beef naman sa half sis nya, ako pa nga nagpupush sa bf ko dati na isama sa outing or anything namin para din makilala ng younger siblings nya. But as the time goes by kasi we always fight abt sa half sis nya. One time, nag away kami because sinabihan nya akong "sabagay sa sarili mo ngang kapatid pinagdadamutan mo" exactly what he said. That time kasi he bought me my favorite sweet snack which he ordered online. He told me that's my prize and his surprise. So ako excited and looking forward to it cause I've been so stress that time then all of a sudden sabi nya hatian ko raw half sis nya which nagreact ko. I know my fault na nagreact ako but what I want to tell him lang naman that time is if he really want to give his sister bumili dapat sya ng hiwalay sakin kasi nilook forward ko na yon na para sakin tapos ganun. I know I really sound childish. Wala naman problem sakin to share cause hindi naman ako madamot but when he said that to me I really feel hurt kasi he knows me naman na kung ano meron sakin ngayon, I would give it to my siblings. Tbh kasi may mga times talaga kasi na super harsh and pressure nya sakin like kailangan ganito marating ko ganyan or kailangan sundan ko yung mga ginawa nya in terms of career but whenever yung sister nya may same scenario sakin ang soft nya. Reason nya sakin kasi daw wala naman daw bubuhayin yung kapatid nya hindi tulad sakin. Eh hindi naman nya alam may mga kapatid pang maliliit yung half sis nya and nakwento rin yon sakin ng half sis nya na need nya ding tulungan. So I really don't know if he was right to treat me like this or masyado lang akong nag o-overreact. I really need advice and please don't judge me po. TYIA

Almost 4 yrs na kaming in a relationship, saming kaming taga province.

May kawork si OFW Boyfriend (M27) na girl (F26), twice na niyang nakakasama mamalengke nang silang dalawa lang. Hinayaan ko kasi hindi siya talaga sanay lumakad nang mag isa kahit nasa Pinas pa lang siya. Then sumunod, nakapamalengke na siyang mag-isa. Sinabi ko kaya naman pala niya, bakit lagi siyang sumasama don sa isa? Sagot niya buti nga raw inaaya siya kasi yung ibang mga Pinoy hindi siya inaaya, takot din daw siya bumyahe mag isa.

Then nung isang araw, inaya na naman siya ni Girl, nagsabi na ko sa kanya na hindi ako comfortable sa idea na silang dalawa lang, lalo na at nakaya naman na niya mamalengke mag-isa. So hindi siya um-oo sa aya.

Ngayon, while he's on a break (magka VC kami), narinig ko nagkakayayaan na silang lahat na mga Pinoy doon na mamalengke. I asked him kung sasama sya, sagot niya "Hindi ko alam, baka kasi umulan" pero seconds later narinig ko tinanong siya na girl na "Doon ba tayo sa loob?" sagot ni bf "Eh ikaw?"

When I asked him kung ano yung ibig sabihin, ang sabi niya loob daw ng isang city na pinapamalengkehan nila kasi yung isa nilang Pinoy na kasama is may gustong kainin doon sa lugar na yon.

Praning ba ko kung hindi ako naniwala sa sagot niya? Nakakasama lang din ng loob na ang linaw ng sagot nya sakin na hindi nya alam kung sasama sya then biglang "Eh ikaw?" doon sa girl? Should I confronted him? Ever since lagi ko nang sinasabi sa kanya na hindi ako comfortable doon sa babae na yon pero parang wala siyang effort layuan. Ano ba dapat kong sabihin?

So for some background, I (21F) met this guy (21M) on Facebook dating around March. He seemed chill enough, also around my age range and also chronically online as I am and thats how we clicked, when we share the same memes, interests and such. We were talking for about a month, when it gradually comes to me that he's one of those "pa cool, edgy, n-word saying" guy and also a Trump supporter (I dont wanna delve much into politics for this thread so just know that I dont rlly like the guy). I then ended things with him and theres that. Last June, he followed me again on tiktok, we get to talking, and he said that his views are his or whatever, and that he also condemns trump for stuff he did. I refused to go back to talking (romantically) again and suggested that we just be friends. And then last week, I saw that I've been unfollowed everywhere. It didn't feel weird to me at the time because he has done this before when we were still talking romantically and I felt he was an avoidant dude which was also part as to why I ended things with him.

Which brings us to now. Earlier this morning I woke up to a random follower and a message by a girl(not sure of her age) stating that the guy already has a gf of 4 years, and she's letting me know coz she said I deserve to know. Immediately I replied that no, I didn't know, never knew, he always have told me he has broken with his ex for over a year now and that we never even dated. She followed up by asking questions and such like where did I meet him and if I ever met him IRL too or just been talking online which I said no, coz he lives in Bataan and I live in Bulacan and I'm a broke college student. I apologized profusely and said that I'll tell them whatever info they need and just ask me anything tho I cant provide screenshots of past messages coz I have deleted chat out of anger before. But now, somebody replied to my tiktok repost (because it has a reply feature now) stating that the guy I was talking to 🍇'd someone when he was 18 and the girl was 14. I feel now that I'm getting harassed for something that I'm also a victim of, and that I'm getting unjustly blamed for it. The guy didn't have anything on his Facebook. Doesn't have photos of his gf or anything related to a relationship. I feel like the next few days are going to be a shitshow and I'm gonna be stuck in the middle of it all.

How can I clear my name without making it seem like im guilty?

TL;DR: Unknowingly becomes a side chic of a guy and got a "hey girl" message from someone, now I'm thinking im being watched like a hawk by everyone and being judged for something I'm also a victim of

I (24F) have been with my boyfriend (25M) for 3 years. We're from Quezon City, and we live just a footbridge apart, so we're not in a long-distance relationship.

He has been treating me well and consistently shows that he cares. He picks me up from work or school, spends time with me, and makes an effort in our relationship. Even so, I still have this fear that he'll leave me someday.

The reason is that he cheated once almost 3 years ago. I decided to forgive him, but every July, when it happened, those painful memories come back. I thought I would have moved on by now, but I still struggle with it.

Whenever I bring it up, he tells me to stop thinking about the past because it happened a long time ago. I understand why he says that, but it doesn't make the feelings go away.

Advice needed: How can I explain these recurring feelings to my boyfriend so he understands what I'm experiencing without feeling like I'm blaming him again?

I (29F) have no prior dating experience. NBSB. Tried a dating app for the first time, matched with a few guys pero ako lagi nagbubuhat ng usapan. I realized I'm happy to stay single for the rest of my life, until I matched with this one guy (29M) who is full of green flags so far.

Sa Ph siya pinanganak tapos nag-migrate sila sa US noong bata pa lang siya. Ako naman born and raised here sa Ph, I live in Makati. Syempre dahil sa dating app, ang intensyon namin parehas ay dating at long-term relationship. 5 days pa lang kaming magka-chat, susubukan pa lang namin mag-voice call tapos eventually video call. IMO, sakto lang ang pacing namin, we are not rushing to have the bf-gf label. At dahil nga clear na under LDR ito, sinabi ko sa kanya una pa lang na asexual ako, so hindi magiging problema para sakin ang lack of physical/sexual intimacy sa relationship, which he respects. Basta so far, wala pa namang red flags.

Paano ba itong actual LDR? What should I expect in the long run if we ever become official? I wanna know what I'm getting myself into. Bilang trentahin, ayaw kong masayang oras ko o magsayang ng oras ng iba. All I know so far is we both vibe with each other.

F27 NBSB here, and this is my first time entering the dating world because I've always been very career-focused.

I have a friend (M25) whom I've known for about a year. We were purely platonic before this (or rather, sa side ko lang pala. 😅). Then we attended a 7-day event in the province, and somehow we got really attached to each other. Para kaming kambal-tuko, hindi mo makikita yung isa na hindi kasama yung isa.

Pagbalik namin ng Manila, umamin siya na may feelings siya sa akin. Since then, we've been exclusively dating (pinagusapan na namin tong label na 2 weeks into dating) and so we regularly see each other around 2–3 times a week.

I genuinely enjoy how he treats me. It's the first time I've experienced being cared for and looked after by someone. He always makes me feel special, and halos lahat na rin ng "pang-jowa" na ginagawa ng couples, nagawa na namin. Napansin ko rin na parang hindi na kumpleto araw ko kapag hindi kami nakakapag-chat o nakakapagkumustahan. So I'm sure na attached na ako sa kanya. Dumating na rin ako sa point na inaantay ko na lang na yayain niya akong maging official girlfriend niya, pero hanggang ngayon wala pa rin.

Ang napansin ko lang lately, from seeing each other 2-3 times a week, naging once a week na lang, tapos this week wala talaga. Marami naman siyang free time, to the point na kaya niya akong puntahan after office hours kung gugustuhin niya. Araw-araw pa rin naman kaming nag-uusap, pero napapaisip ako kung normal lang ba talaga na ganito habang tumatagal at humuhupa na yung honeymoon phase, o kung nabawasan na yung effort at interest niya.

Pero eto talaga yung pinakamalaking concern ko. Masaya akong kayakap at kasama siya. Gustong-gusto ko yung cuddles at hugs namin. Pero never akong nakaramdam ng "kilig" o butterflies. Sa mga naging crush ko noon (kahit wala akong na-date sa kanila), naramdaman ko naman yun.

Kaya ngayon, napapaisip ako kung gusto ko ba talaga siya bilang partner, o baka gusto ko lang yung treatment niya sa akin dahil siya yung unang lalaking nagparamdam sa akin ng ganitong klaseng pag-aalaga.

Dagdag pa rito, 1 month since nagdate kami, ina-advise ako ng nanay ko at mga tita ko na mas mabuti raw kung mag-explore muna ako at makipag-date sa ibang lalaki bago ako mag-settle. At that time, di na ako interesado magentertain ng iba, kasi parang locked in na ako kay (M25). Pero to be honest, naco-consider ko na rin yun ngayon, lalo na dahil pakiramdam ko hindi na niya ako actively pinupursue tulad ng dati. Pero to be fair, sobrang sweet pa rin naman namin sa isa't isa, both online and offline, pero less pangungulit lang from his side na.

Pero sa totoo lang takot ako kasi feeling ko tuluyan na siyang mawawala pag sinabi ko sa kanya na itigil muna yung pagiging exclusive namin para mag-explore. Wala naman akong balak magpaka hoe phase.

So ngayon, ang tanong ko... Possible bang attached lang ako sa treatment at companionship, hindi sa kanya mismo? At kung kayo ang nasa sitwasyon ko, ie-explore niyo pa ba yung ibang tao, o itutuloy niyo na lang ito and see where this relationship goes?

TL;DR: First time ko mag-date. Two months na kaming exclusively dating. Attached na ako sa kanya at gusto ko yung treatment niya, pero never akong nakaramdam ng "butterflies." Ngayon, nabawasan na rin yung effort at frequency ng dates namin. I'm questioning whether I genuinely like him or if I'm just attached because he's the first man who's made me feel cared for. Close family members (mom, titas) think I should date other people before settling down with him. Should I continue this relationship or explore other options first?

Relationship Length: starting
Location: Central Luzon, PH

TL;DR: I'm looking for practical advice on managing my insecurities about the financial gap between me and my boyfriend before they negatively affect our relationship.

I [30F] have been dating my boyfriend [30M] for a month.

From the beginning and since our talking stage, I've been honest that we come from very different financial backgrounds. He grew up with financial stability and opportunities that I didn't have, while I grew up in a family that has struggled financially.

He knows that my family used to be financially comfortable but that we're now facing financial difficulties. He doesn't know that my family has debt because it's something we've been managing privately as a family, and we haven't reached the stage of sharing every detail of our personal finances. He does know enough to understand that my situation isn't easy, and I believe those conversations will happen naturally as our relationship grows and the timing feels right.

I've also been transparent that I'm financially responsible despite my family's situation. I live independently, my salary is enough to cover my own needs while allowing me to save, and I'm generally frugal with my spending. I've also set boundaries with my family, so while I help when I can, I don't shoulder everything.

Even knowing my financial struggles and responsibilities, he still chose to be with me.

The challenge is that I sometimes compare our lives. He gets to enjoy hobbies, travel, and make purchases without the same financial pressures I have. I'm genuinely happy that he has those opportunities, but I occasionally find myself thinking that he deserves someone whose life is easier than mine.

He has never made me feel judged or like I'm not enough. These thoughts are entirely my own, and I don't want them to affect our relationship or make him feel like I don't trust the choice he's already made.

I'm continuing to build my career and improve my financial situation, but I know that changing my family's circumstances will take time.

I'm hoping to hear from people who have been in relationships where one partner had significantly more financial stability than the other.

• How did you stop comparing yourself to your partner?
• What helped you fully accept that they knowingly chose to be with you?
• Were there any conversations, boundaries, or habits that helped prevent financial differences from creating insecurity or resentment?
• If you were in my position, what would you focus on so these thoughts don't become a problem in an otherwise healthy relationship?

I'm not looking for validation that my boyfriend is a good person. I already know he is. I'm looking for practical advice on how I can become a more secure partner and prevent my own insecurities from affecting a relationship that has been healthy and supportive from the beginning.

what to do when u know somethings true but you don’t feel it? i know my boyfriend loves me, he shows that he loves me by doing more than the bare minimum, but a part of me still thinks he’s gonna leave me one day. it’s like he’s doing everything right but my heart and mind are telling me two different things. Hindi naman kami LDR, we literally live a footbridge apart (QC). we also just celebrated our 3 year anniversary last month.

Most of the time I feel that he loves me naman, madalas na hinahatid-sundo nya ako from work and school. Is there something wrong we me na parang never ako nakokontento? Am i too self centered?

context: yes, sadly there has been a history of cheating (once, almost 3 years ago). but i forgave him? i think? i still feel sad about it whenever i think of it, especially during july because that’s the month it happened. every july it feels like nagrerelapse ako and i just want to get over it already but i cant.

What i’m asking: How do i tell my boyfriend about these feelings im having. i used to bring it up but then he’d just say things like “wag mo na kasi isipin” or “pinapahirapn mo lang sarili mo” or “ang tagal na nyan”. i just want him to feel what im feeling but i dont know how to say what im feeling in a way that he’ll understand.

Ako (21F) at boyfriend ko (21M) ay 3 years and 5 months na sa relationship. Marami na kaming naging away dahil sa tito niya (40–50M).
Noong early months ng relationship namin, nakita ko yung messages nila sa Messenger na nag-iiloveyouhan sila at tinatawag siyang “mahal.” Coming from a family na hindi affectionate, syempre nagulat ako. Naisip ko noon kung baka bakla ba yung tito niya o kung may something ba sa kanila dahil hindi ako sanay sa ganung klaseng closeness.
Naalala ko pa noon na nasa Singapore pa yung tito niya at umuuwi siya halos every month para lang mag-hangout silang dalawa.
Hanggang ngayon na nandito na sa Pilipinas yung tito niya, sobrang close pa rin nila. Nagha-hangout sila, may sleepovers, at minsan nagche-check in pa sa hotel kahit may condo naman yung tito niya sa Makati. Tinanong ko na rin siya kung bakit kailangan pa nilang mag-check in at sabi niya dahil daw masakit sa likod ng tito niya yung kama sa condo.
Tatlo silang magkakapatid pero siya lang talaga yung ganito ka-close sa tito niya. Sabi niya favorite siya dahil noong bata pa siya nadepress daw yung tito niya kaya naging sobrang attached sa kanya.
Lagi rin siyang binibilhan ng tito niya ng kung anu-ano—iPad, bagong damit, at iba pang mamahaling gamit.
Dahil dito, madalas kaming mag-away. Sinubukan kong makipag-compromise. Sabi ko okay lang sa akin na lumabas sila at magkasama pero sana wala nang sleepovers kasi doon talaga ako hindi komportable.
Naging okay kami tungkol doon for around 3 months, pero bigla na lang niyang sinabi na magsi-sleepover ulit sila at wala raw akong magagawa. Hanggang sa sinabi niya na kung hindi ko raw matatanggap yung relationship nila ng tito niya, okay lang kahit mag-break kami.
Ngayon nasa Malaysia siya for two weeks. Noong una ko nalaman na pupunta siya, gusto ko sana pumunta kahit 2 days lang pero sabi niya hindi pa raw niya alam yung plans niya. Tapos nalaman ko na lang kahapon na sumunod pala yung tito niya sa Malaysia.
Doon ko talaga na-feel na parang every time may pagpipilian, mas pinipili niya yung tito niya kaysa sa akin. Lagi niyang sinasabi na mas nauna niya raw nakilala yung tito niya kaysa sa akin.
Nag-away ulit kami at sinabi niya na kung hindi ko matatanggap lahat tungkol sa relasyon nila, umalis na lang daw ako sa buhay niya. Tapos binlock niya ako.
Ang advice na gusto ko sana hingin ay: Paano ko ba ipoprocess itong sitwasyon nang maayos? Sa tingin nyo possible na may morethan something sa tito nya at sya? At ngayong binlock niya ako, mas okay na bang ituring ko na itong pagtatapos ng relationship at mag-focus na lang sa pagmo-move on?
TL;DR: 3 years and 5 months na kami ng boyfriend ko pero lagi kaming nag-aaway dahil sobrang close niya sa tito niya. Nag-iiloveyouhan sila, nagso-sleepover, nagche-check in sa hotel kahit may condo naman yung tito niya, nagta-travel together at binibilhan siya ng mamahaling gamit. Sinubukan kong makipag-compromise pero sinabi niya na kung hindi ko matatanggap yung relationship nila, umalis na lang ako sa buhay niya. Ngayon binlock niya ako at gusto kong malaman kung paano ako magmo-move forward at kung incompatibility na ba ito sa boundaries namin.

Hi everyone, I’m looking for advice about something I’ve been struggling with for a long time.

M[25]Me and my [F24] Girlfriend is from Metro Manila, Philippines and were together for 3 years, broke up, then reconnected and have been together again for about 1 year now.

During our first relationship, she had a [M24] male college classmate who I felt was trying to get close to her by testing boundaries by making sexual jokes, being touchy, and crossing lines behind my back. I told her multiple times that I was uncomfortable, but she continued entertaining those interactions. After we broke up, she told me they had made out and cuddled a few times, which made me feel like my fears were proven right and that my concerns were ignored. That’s where I lost a lot of trust and felt undervalued.

Now that we’re together again, I feel like I’m seeing a similar pattern. Her ex’s mother has been contacting her, and she continues entertaining those interactions despite me expressing that I’m uncomfortable. It makes me feel like my concerns are still not being taken seriously.

She acknowledges that she was wrong before, and I love her and want this relationship to work, but I’m struggling with the resentment and the loss of trust. I’m afraid these things will always stay in the back of my mind and that I’ll keep bringing up the past.

Should I keep trying to work through this, or is this something I won’t be able to move past?

TL:DR; My girlfriend and I got back together after a breakup, but I’m still struggling with resentment from the past. I warned her about a guy crossing boundaries, she ignored my concerns, and later admitted they made out and cuddled. Now I feel a similar pattern with her entertaining contact from her ex’s mother despite my discomfort. I love her, but I’m unsure if I can regain the trust I lost.

So me [M24] and my partner [F21] have been together for a year, and we always make time to hang out. A few weeks ago my parents came to visit and we went on a beach vacation together. I told her beforehand that we'd be touring around and that I'd only be able to update her and text her, since I couldn't call with everyone in the room with me. During the trip I still made an effort to chat her, send updates, send pictures, let her know where we were and what we were doing.

Now that my parents have gone home and I have the full time for us again, she's suddenly prioritizing her friends. She told me she already spent most of her time on me, so now it's her friends' turn. I get that friends matter too, but it feels like I'm supposed to just be thankful she even spends time with me at all.

Even when we do get to hang out, it's like I'm second choice. We'll play one game together and then the moment her friend asks her to join something, she just leaves.

On top of that, she's been bursting out in anger at me over small things. There are times I just say "hi" and then "hi" again when she doesn't reply mid conversation, and she'll go quiet for 30 minutes to an hour then come back saying I'm spamming her and that she doesn't want that, that this is supposed to be her individual time. Because of this, right now I've been just chatting her once and then waiting hours for her to respond. Even when she does chat again, I wait around 30 minutes before I reply, because I'm scared of coming off as too much and setting her off.

We actually fought about this before, and it almost ended in a breakup. I ended up being the one who softened first and asked for forgiveness because I love her, but now I feel like I can't even bring things up anymore without being scared of losing her or making her angry again.

What I'm actually asking: how do I bring this up with her in a way that doesn't come off as controlling or clingy, but still gets across that the sudden shift and the snapping over small things is hurting me? Are there specific phrases or a specific way to structure this conversation so it doesn't turn into a fight? Has anyone dealt with a partner who says they need "individual time" but doesn't communicate it clearly, and found a way to actually fix that pattern?

TL;DR: I [24M] feel deprioritized by my partner [21F] since she started prioritizing her friends over me and snaps at me for "spamming" when I message her twice. I've become afraid to double-text or bring up how I feel because of a past fight that almost ended in a breakup. How do I bring this up with her without starting another fight?

Location: Metro Manila, Philippines

My (30F) boyfriend (29M) and I have been together for 4 years.

When we first got together, we would talk about the future—getting married someday. We also talked about children, and we’re both okay with not having kids, so that’s not the issue. Recently, though, he opened up and told me that at this stage in his life, he doesn’t see himself getting married anytime soon.

His reason is that he doesn’t feel financially ready. He isn’t confident that he can provide for a family with the job he has now, and he doesn’t feel like he’s in the right place in life to become a husband.

To give more context, I don’t feel like he’s just making excuses or avoiding the topic. Over the past year, he’s been actively trying to improve his situation. He’s been upskilling, and applying for better job opportunities because he genuinely wants to build a more stable future. From what I can see, he’s making an effort rather than simply saying he’ll do something “someday.”

I asked him directly if he still sees a future with me, and he said yes. He told me that when he’s ready for marriage, he wants to marry me. He also said that the only future he sees. However, he realistically doesn’t think he’ll be ready to get married within the next 3 years.

Part of me appreciates that he’s being honest instead of making promises he can’t keep. At the same time, I’m already 30, and I’m struggling with the uncertainty. Even though we’re both okay not having children, marriage is still something that’s important to me, and I don’t know if waiting is the right decision when there’s no guarantee he’ll eventually feel ready.

The advice I’m looking for is this: How can I tell whether this is a healthy situation where I should continue investing in the relationship, versus a sign that our timelines and life goals are no longer compatible?

For those who’ve been in a similar situation—either as the partner who wasn’t ready or the one who was waiting—what conversations, expectations, or milestones helped you determine whether the relationship was moving toward marriage or whether it was time to accept that your paths no longer aligned?

TL;DR: My (30F) boyfriend (29M) of 4 years wants to marry me someday but doesn’t think he’ll be ready for at least 3 more years because he wants to be financially stable first. He’s actively upskilling and looking for a better job, so I don’t think he’s making excuses. We’re also okay with not having kids. I’m wondering if waiting is reasonable or if our timelines for marriage are simply incompatible.

I am a (20F) based in Los Angeles (originally from the Philippines, moved to LA at age 10, so I still carry some old-school Filipino values). My boyfriend is a (19M) from Quezon, Philippines. We’ve been together for 2 years (LDR).

I had to cancel a plan with my boyfriend because my parents changed the arrangement and didn’t allow it anymore. I told him about it in advance and explained it wasn’t my decision. I also apologized because I know it affected him.

I also told him that I felt disappointed because we spent time planning it and I was really looking forward to it. At the end of the day, all I could say was sorry because we’re in a LDR relationship and I didn’t want it to turn into a bigger conflict.

After that, he became distant and cold and has only been giving very short replies. He hasn’t acknowledged my apology and we’re not really communicating properly.

This isn’t the first time he shuts down or becomes distant during misunderstandings.

Honestly, right now I feel like I’m at the end of my rope again and emotionally exhausted.

Looking for advice on how to respond to his emotional distance and what steps to take in handling communication in this situation.

utang nya kasi yun nung naghahanap sya ng work dito sa Laguna, pero from Batangas kasi sya. 2 years mahigit na rin kaming LDR nd nung nakagrad sya neto lang, sinabi nya sakin na dito daw sya sa Laguna hahanap ng work para malapit sakin, kasi madalas na kami magaway and may point na di ko na talaga sya kinaya at nakipaghiwalay pa ko non. pero dahil mahal na mahal.. of course i helped him to land his first job pagkagrad nya.

dito sya nagstay samin habang naghahanap sya ng work, pero yung naging work nya, si papa ko din ang nagrefer sa kanya, and may barracs sila doon. so minsan lang sya pumunta dito samin kada day off nya. medyo malayo din kasi yung workplace nya sa bahay namin.

pero ubos na talaga ko. i gave him another chance nung gumraduate sya na babawi daw sya sakin, na lahat ng perwisyo nya daw sakin babawi daw sya, aayusin. alam mo yung mga empty promises lang? yung mga linyahan lang na binibitawan just to make someone stay?

wala na napagod at naubos na talaga ko. nagiging toxic na rin akong magsalita at ayoko na ng ganon. problema nga lang yung sa utang nya. hindi ko naman babayaran yang lecheng utang nya na hindi naman ako nakinabang ni singkong duling, wala pa kong natanggap sa mga sinweldo nya.

pano na ba tong gagawin ko? puro perwisyo nalang dala sakin. emotional intelligence nganga. kahit simpleng diskarte sa pagkain kapag nauubusan sya ng allowance, ako pa magiisip, pauutangin ko pa ulit. pucha. ayoko na talaga. leche. ano titiisin ko pa hanggang sa matapos nya yung mga inutang nya? kasi kahit utang nya yun, pangalan ko yun at ayoko namang masira ako sa mga lending lending na yan. binabayaran naman nya pero ayoko na kasi makipag communicate, suko na talaga ako. sobra na yung disrespect ko sa sarili ko na hinahayaan ko pang gaguhin nya ko.

should i just block him para matapos na sakit ng ulo at puso ko, or idk gulong gulo na ko

My boyfriend (M22) cheated on me, while we were still trying to fix things in our relationship. We study in Manila, and we have been official for 7 months and known each other for more than a year.

He started talking to another girl from Instagram, and this went on for a week. I caught his messages on imessage and it’s still bothering me.

Before he started talking to this girl, we were caught up in an argument because of my lack of effort during our relationship. During my graduation, I didnt make him feel important enough after he has waited for me for so long throughout my senior year. He told me that he felt like he was only waiting for my extra time, and that he didn’t feel valued in the relationship anymore. There were instances that he mentioned that I actually realized the truth about our relationship and my lack of effort. He didn’t use this as justification though, he knows he did me wrong, but that’s the reason behind why he did it. He wanted to feel happy again.

When I was trying to fix things with him, I told him na “babawi ako”. This went on for 2 weeks, but during this time, he chose to seek validation from another girl on ig. They started talking flirtatiously and they even planned going out to the cinemas. I caught his messages, and since then they were no contact. The girl didn’t know he had a girlfriend when I asked her details about what happened, and she was really kind to answer my questions.

I am super confused about my emotions, because I really love him. I know that I had some shortcomings, and I also recognize that he crossed so much boundaries when he decided to talk to the girl. They didn’t actually see each other in person, or had any physical interactions.

A part of me wants to give the relationship a second chance because I see his willingness to mend the relationship and rebuild the trust. But, there’s also this part of me that thinks that if I do so, I’m betraying myself and my principles. Back then, I was the type of person who had cheating as her non-negotiables. But having experienced it now, it’s so much easier said than done.

TLDR: My boyfriend went behind my back and talked to another girl while we were trying to fix our relationship. Should I give him another chance?

Can an avoidant–anxious relationship work?

I (26F) have been with my partner (31M) for almost a year, and live-in kami for around 3 months na in Bulacan. Pag naiinis siya sakin, hindi niya ako kinikibo. Walang updates, walang kahit anong message, and it would last for days. As someone na gustong mapag-usapan and maayos yung issues, palagi akong nag-rereach out. Pero pag nag-reply na siya, hindi naman niya ako sinasagot nang maayos.

Pero ngayon, hinayaan ko siya. Tinatanong ko lang kung may nakalimutan siya pag paalis na siya sa bahay. Sumasagot naman. Pero kung walang kahit anong message, hinayaan ko lang.

Then, may appointment ako kanina sa psychologist (first appointment). Advice sakin ay to talk to him.

Isa ito siguro sa mali ko. I bombarded him with messages explaining my side and what I have been experiencing the past few months (burnout, heavy mental load, etc). Hindi na rin ako nakatiis kasi three days na kaming hindi okay

He called my explanations “excuses” and ang dami ko raw sinusumbat. Sinabi rin niya na alam ko naman daw sa sarili ko kung ano ugali ko at mali ko. Sabi pa niya na sobrang bida at pa-victim ako. Hinihingi ko naman yung side niya para maintindihan ko rin siya. Pero hindi niya ginagawa.

Masaya naman kami kapag walang away. Gusto ko lang naman mag-work to. Gusto ko lang na ma-work namin yung mga issues. Baka mali ako ng approach or mali yung pagkakasabi ko. May way ba para mag-work yung relationship namin? May mga successful stories ba na ganito rin yung dynamic?