I beg to clarify: it isn't just a fling -- which, per my definition, is just a couple of fcks. If the repeated/habitual fcking has become part of his life: it's an affair... Repeated fcking that has morphed into a relationship. That last one is hard to dis-entangle, hard to ignore.
Realistically, you're on the short end because you have no financial independence. Sagasaan man ako ng mga madre ng Assumption, sorry: it's money that makes the world turn, not love.
What, realistically, is good card-playing on your part?
About a week after the baptism ...
Do not confront. But do not ignore the elephant in the room, ika nga.
Be pretty, stay cool. Keep the kids out of the room, so you 2 are not distracted.
Bring up the issue of his betrayal. Do not condemn, though he sure deserves condemnation.
Tell him you know. Do not be sidelined by denials.
Or by his turning the tables on you: baket ka spying on him?!
Calmly ask him what he wants to happen?
If he says he wants to go, let him.
But make clear financial arrangements with him.
This way, cut and cut clean -- you will be thankful later on your non-malingering made you move on
If he says "aayusin" nya -- nail him down.
What does he mean exactly by that? Get specifics.
Get him to set a deadline. Do not be the one to set a deadline.
Then, let him be. Do not nag. Do not slash his throat while he snores.
Whatever he does or does not do after your talk -- Best Foot Forward ka 24/7.
Get a hold of yourself. Do not have more than 1 meltdown, more than 24 hrs of crying.
Set a deadline within which he should reform. But do not tell him your deadline. Do not demand reform. If he truly loves you and values his family, he knows what he should do, hindi naman sya brain-damaged.
In the meantime, sabi nga: solutions are born from problems. Success comes out of Desperation.
Hindi ka naman helpless, find ways to make more money you should hide from his knowledge.
Hangga't kaya mo tiisin -- put up a brave front for your sake and sanity & for the kids' sake -- WHILE YOU CONSOLIDATE and STRENGTHEN your finances, your emotional self.
Do not focus on the Pain, but transform it into Anger that motivates you to take better care of yourself, to become more financially independent.
Hwag mo din discuss his betrayal with others. Keep it within your control. Saka mo advertise when you have kicked him out of your life.
Each day, hard as it may be to focus -- make yourself into a better & stronger woman. Sya yung defective, hindi ikaw. Just as important: attend to your kids. You must see they develop with the values you deem critical. Hindi yung sa bigat ng dibdib mo eh, napa bayaan mo na their development. It is never enough to just clothe and feed children.
Time may grind exceedingly slow when burdened by betrayal -- but you have the capacity to bring yourself from where you are now to a much much better place. Nasasayo yan.
Take hold of your life. Nobody can take better care of yourself than you yourself. Yang husband mo, kahit na ano gawin mo, if he chooses to continue cheating - he will. What can you do? Decision nya yon kasi well, to be crude but realistic: hindi mo naman hawak t*** nya.
So there, the only person you control is you.
Do not just bide your time, but work towards a position of power.
Tandaan mo: It is never too late to re-invent yourself.
Do not be The Loser here. Que hiwalay kayo or not, do not be The Loser.
I hope your husband goes into True Remorse & Reform. But do not hold your breathe for that miracle.
Kasi if he chooses to take the philanderer's life -- eh mas mabuti 1 day you are strongly positioned to deliver him to that kab1tch with this statement: Eto! Thank you for taking my trash.