Dear Papa Joe,
Good day to you and all your followers at Superbalita Cebu. You can call me "Liza," 29 years old, and from Cebu. Papa Joe, I feel so heavy-hearted that I dared to write to you because I have no one else to turn to. I have a boyfriend of seven years. In the beginning, he was very kind. We were planning to get married next year because we are stable in our jobs and he gets along well with my family.
But since last year, I noticed he changed. Sometimes he goes out at night, and his reason is overtime or hanging out with friends. One day, I saw him sleeping with his messenger open. I didn't plan to pry, but I was shocked to see a woman he constantly chats with. There were messages like "I miss you," "always take care love," and other messages that seemed like they were dating. My world shattered when I read them.
I confronted him, and he denied it, but later admitted that they had been seeing each other for a long time. He said he was confused and didn't mean to hurt me. He cried and asked for forgiveness. Papa Joe, I still love him, but every time I remember what he did, I feel pain. How can I know if his regret is genuine? Should I forgive him or just leave him?
Papa Joe's Advice
Liza, first of all, it is normal to feel hurt. Betrayal is not easy, especially when you have been in a long-term relationship and dreamed of your future together. But not everyone who makes a mistake is beyond change. What matters is that you observe his actions after being caught. True regret is shown through consistency, transparency, and effort to regain your trust.
Do not rush into a decision. Ask yourself: "Will my heart be at peace if we continue?" Because sometimes, even if love is still there, once trust is lost, it is very difficult to sustain the relationship.
But if you are constantly doubting, crying, and losing your peace of mind, it is not a sin to choose your own peace.
Papa Joe
