DEAR EMILY,

I was a teacher in the Philippines but because money was scarce for my family, I immigrated to Canada in 2004. I was sad and my routine consisted of working and going home. I studied to upgrade myself by getting a certificate and better job.

My boring days became beautiful when I fell in love with this guy on the Internet. He?s from Toronto and very good-looking. He earns good money though he did not finish university.

From the outset, he admitted being a ladies? man and had lots of one-night stands. I pictured to him an entirely different me ? a Fil-French Canadian and even sent him a photograph of a beautiful woman. But everything else about me was true.

I played the piano, I have a condo. I am a good person. I also wrote poems for him which he liked. He said he loved that I am God-fearing, that I don?t swear. I do volunteer works.

He plans to see me and I panicked. I confessed to him that I was not the girl in the photo and that in person I have brown blotchy skin. But I assured him he was talking to the real me and that the real me loves him.

I asked for his forgiveness. He said he had forgiven me and that he?d still see me. At the last minute, he cancelled his trip and said nasty things about me. He?s not talking to me anymore. He said I?m out of his life. I was so depressed I almost killed myself. I thought his love was for real and mine for him is so genuine.

FILIPINA IN DISTRESS

What were you thinking when you sent another woman?s photograph to him?

Did you have that much insecurity in you? Or did you think Internet affairs were just a game? How do you know that he didn?t do the same to you?

Other than your color, he probably was turned off in wondering what new stuff you?ll be confessing to him soon. While Filipinos love to joke and spring surprises in the name of fun, your Internet love is from another culture and clearly didn?t find it amusing.

You, though, could have made light of your prank by telling him you didn?t want to reveal your real self so soon in this virtual relationship. If he truly felt something for you ? faux photo notwithstanding ? he could have suggested starting over again. Obviously, he wasn?t truly into you.

So you found out that brown is not his type and that he didn?t have a sense of humor. Big deal. He could have been a wanted criminal, for all you know! Haven?t you heard that Internet affairs are either fairy tales or horror stories? Consider his loss your gain.

You said you were bored and lonely? Stop already! Have you lost sight of your purpose in being there? Be something to yourself and not think of committing suicide at the first faceless guy who dumps you.

Sure you fell ? but were you able to pick up something?

Send your e-mail to emarcelo@inquirer.com.ph; subject: Lifestyle.