When my OFW friend’s friend found out that she was single, she warned her to steer clear of OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) guys here as a lot of them hit on girls here despite the fact that they’re married back home… which they keep hidden, of course. It’s the best advice ever, actually, as I’ve proven first hand, or should I say second hand, with the experiences of two people I know.
First girl, let’s call her Yi, met a guy at work. He asked her out, and she kinda liked him, so she agreed. They had a wonderful dinner, and while walking home, she suddenly thought of asking him if he was married. His response? Yes, but separated. When she asked him why he didn’t tell her immediately, his reply was, “You didn’t ask!” Duh? And that was supposed to be her fault?!? That’s the sort of thing you’re supposed to declare upfront! Even if you are separated! We don’t have divorce in the Philippines, you know!
Second girl, let’s call her Er, met a guy at a friend’s birthday party. He asked for her number and asked if he could court her. She said okay, and she fell for his sweet ways, but her only issue with him was that he still kept on bringing up his ex whom he had caught cheating on him which caused him to fly to Singapore.
Then during a party, a common friend told her, “I’m not a hundred percent sure, but I think he’s married.” The guy eventually admitted that the “ex” he kept on mentioning to her was, in fact, his wife, and that she had called to tell him she was pregnant… on the day he met Er. How dare he! At least Yi’s guy told her early on, before she could invest too much feelings. Er’s guy is a humongous jerk, a user. Oooh, I could wring his neck!!
And I thought I had it bad when a guy I met here turned out to have a girlfriend back home. Now I know what’s the first question I need to ask prospects. (And no, it’s not whether they know how to assemble a dish rack.)