How far would you trust an online stranger?

Pauline Claire Basilides, a Filipina woman based in Australia, shared her story with the media about how her life spiraled into deep depression and anxiety after a girl she considered a best friend, living thousands of miles away, smeared her reputation online.

“I longed for close female friendships,” Pau told reporters. “I have a loving boyfriend, family, brothers, a caring father, and a busy mother — but no sister or close girlfriend abroad.”

In 2019, Pau started an online business reselling beauty products in the Philippines while based in Australia. “My efforts paid off, and I was able to help unemployed relatives in the Philippines.”

FROM FRIENDS TO BETRAYAL

In 2020, she met Aira Jane Lopez Barredo — known as Ayyang — online. Ayyang is the owner of Miss Ayyang Thai Beauty Shop and an influencer among skincare sellers.

“What started as business acquaintances grew into friendship. I considered her like a sister and trusted her deeply. Since we were both distributors of the same skincare brand, we began as business acquaintances and eventually became friends,” Pau explained.

“I often opened up to her about my personal life and problems [through chats and video calls] because I felt she trusted me as well.”

Little did she know, the purely online friendship would soon take a dark turn and drastically change her life.

THE CYBERBULLYING THAT BROKE HER WORLD

In 2021, Pau said, Ayyang began posting live streams and Facebook posts accusing her of scamming, and she did this consistently for three months. This led to relentless bullying and online bashing that caused Pau to suffer panic attacks just by seeing notification badges on her Facebook.

“My loyal customers canceled orders, my online business suffered, and my pregnant cousin who helped with the business experienced stress-related complications. My world collapsed,” Pau recalled. “I couldn’t sleep, experienced anxiety, cried often, and had repeated breakdowns.”

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Pau said she feared members of the Filipino community in her area might recognize her, so she rarely left her house.

THE DARK SIDE OF ONLINE FRIENDSHIP

As they say, truth is stranger than fiction. Unfortunately, this is not a movie, but a real crime story told to the media last July at a restaurant in Quezon City on 18 July.

Facing reporters was Pau, dressed in a khaki-colored short-sleeve blazer, accompanied by her lawyer, Atty. Johnrey Villablagon. Pau was clearly in distress, frequently bursting into tears as she recalled the timeline of events.

Pau shared that the malicious posts began after she lent Ayyang her brand-new car, bought in the Philippines, to help her attend events.

“As a friend, I wanted to support her because she told me she was being mocked for driving a truck. I offered her to use our new car, brand new and barely used, as long as she took care of it.” She said it was her cousin, based in Cavite, who brought the car to Ayyang in Antipolo.

A few weeks later, while driving Pau’s car, Ayyang was involved in an accident. “She called me crying and anxious. I tried to move past it, and our relationship seemed fine.”

Pau said she patiently handled the insurance requirements despite delays and arranged for the car’s towing and repairs, which started in March 2021 and finished in October. In July, she sent Ayyang the damage list and insurance quotation — not to demand payment but to inform her of the liabilities.

“Suddenly, she reacted hysterically,” Pau said.

Soon, Pau said, Ayyang—who had a huge following on her social media — was tagging her everywhere on Facebook and accusing her of scamming. Sometimes, Ayyang would even go live on streaming platforms to tell her followers that Pau was a scammer.

“Those posts went viral, and it devastated my mental health.”

In December 2021, Pau filed a cyberlibel case.

RARE JUSTICE SERVED

On 26 June 2025, four years after the online bashing began, the Regional Trial Court in Imus, Cavite, found Ayyang guilty beyond reasonable doubt of cyberlibel under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and cleared Pau of all false accusations.

“None of the lies she spread were true, and the court has proven I never scammed her,” said Pau.

Pau’s lawyer, Atty. Johnrey Villablagon, explained, “The penalty [for Ayyang] was a P40,000 fine, which may seem small, but winning cyberlibel cases in the Philippines is extremely rare. Most cases are dismissed or settled out of court, so this is a meaningful victory. The law will not take it lightly if such acts are repeated. Penalties get heavier, and cyber libel can lead to imprisonment.”

“It’s really easy to destroy a person. Just one post can ruin someone, especially if you’re an influencer,” Atty. Villablagon added. “We all have the responsibility to ensure our posts do not malign others or impute crimes, or there will be consequences.”

“She ruined my quiet life just for her own interests and desire for fame. The saddest part is, I’m not the first nor the last. Others have been hurt but chose to stay silent,” Pau told the press.

Before she filed her case, her father, seeing her suffering, advised her to forgive and leave it to God because they are Christians. But Pau could not accept the injustice and decided to sue a woman she once considered a very close friend.

“That is why I am speaking out now,” she said, clearly still heartbroken, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Now is the time to correct these wrongs.”