Sarah Lahbati clarifies mystery man in Hong Kong is just a friend

Sarah Lahbati caught the attention of netizens after she was seen with a mystery man in Hong Kong. Images: Instagram/@sarahlahbati, YouTube/Ogie Diaz Showbiz Update

Sarah Lahbati clarified that the mystery man she was seen with in Hong Kong was just a friend, as she pointed out that it’s normal for “single women” to be met with speculations about their dating lives.

Lahbati piqued the interest of netizens after a photo of her with a mystery man in Hong Kong was made public by showbiz insider Ogie Diaz, citing an anonymous source.

In an interview with entertainment journalist MJ Marfori via Tiktok on Tuesday, April 2, the actress said she visited Hong Kong to attend the Art Basel fair and meet up with friends including the mysterious man.

“I went to Hong Kong to experience Art Basel. It’s always been a dream of mine to travel around and I was happy that I was able to go. And that photo circulating is my friend. I visited Hong Kong and met up with different friends,” she said.

Lahbati then pointed out that the photo doesn’t bother her, although she stressed that it’s normal for women to have guy friends. “Is it unfair? Is it bothering me now? It takes a lot more for something to bother me.”

“But I think as a woman, we’re all allowed to have guy friends,” she continued. “But again, it’s okay to speculate because again, I’m single. And it’s part of this whole new thing.”

The actress also reiterated that it’s normal for single women to deal with speculations about their dating lives.

“It’s okay because I’m single. Let me repeat that—I am single so of course, there will be speculations,” she said.

Lahbati confirmed she parted ways with her estranged husband Richard Gutierrez last month. The estranged partners, who wed in 2020, are co-parenting their two children, Kai and Zion.

The actress is set to make her acting comeback with the teleserye “Lumuhod Ka sa Lupa.” It also stars Kiko Estrada and Sid Lucero.