I’m 69 and my wife is 25 – a lot of friends and family have turned their back on me, but this is a real love story

A man has hit back at trolls who accused his 25-year-old wife of using him for money and says his family and friends are not accepting of their relationship.

Joop Evers, 69, and his wife Rona have lost family and friends in their battle for love.

But the couple insists that money has nothing to do with their relationship and that they are just like any other couple.

Joop, originally from the Netherlands, now lives in his wife’s hometown, Bacolod, Philippines, where their relationship is widely accepted.

But Joop, who is divorced and has two children from his previous marriage, says his family does not accept Rona because of her age.

He said, “In the Philippines, age differences are very accepted, but I have lost contact with my family and many friends because they do not accept my relationship.

“When I told them about my relationship, they simply refused to accept my wife because of her young age.

“I’m a divorced man and already have two kids, so it was a big change, but this is my life and they chose not to accept it.”

People have accused Rona of using Joop for a ‘green card’ and money, but he insists this is not the case.

“Age is just a number and I know people think this is for a green card or money, but Rona has never asked for money unless it’s to help other people who are in desperate need,” Joop said.

“This is a true love story, not an attempt to get money or a green card. It’s true love, I know people won’t believe it, but there’s so much love and understanding between us.

‘She doesn’t want a Green Card, you read that many people want to go to the US, but I’m from the Netherlands, we don’t have them there.

“We don’t care what people think or say, it’s our life and we’re very happy together. That is not a problem for me and Rona, she is happy with an experienced partner who is in balance and who loves her as she is.’

People have accused Rona of using Joop for a ‘green card’ and for money, but he insists this is not the case

Joop, who is divorced and has two children from his previous marriage, says his family does not accept Rona because of her age

The pair met when Joop messaged Rona on Facebook after noticing her on a trip to the Philippines to visit his brother and his wife.

The lovebirds then chatted over text before she finally flew over to meet him in person.

He says: ‘I traveled to the Philippines a lot because I worked for a global call center organization. I also visit my brother and his wife there, so I know the country well. So we connected through Facebook, we had mutual friends.

“We started talking four years ago, when we finally met, she flew over and it was a huge culture shock for Rona because the Netherlands is so different from the Philippines. I know the people and culture of the Philippines but she had never been to Europe so it was a nice meeting but a lot to get used to.

Joop also claims that people are ‘jealous’ of their relationship and says they are often stared at when they are out in public together.

Joop, originally from the Netherlands, said his family refuses to accept his new relationship because of Rona’s young age

The couple met when Joop messaged Rona on Facebook after noticing her on a trip to the Philippines to visit his brother and his wife.

Rona says her family is supportive of their relationship and says the big age difference is ‘a lot more normal’ in the Philippines

“When we go to malls, we get a lot of looks because she is so young, but she also dresses differently from other Filipinos, I think it all stems from jealousy,” said Joop.

“I am in an age gap relationship group on Facebook and there are always people who are jealous and say things about us being together.

“Everything that has been said to us comes from jealousy, but we are happy. It’s a better life for her, but it’s also a better life for me.’

Rona said, “My family has been so supportive of our relationship. Obviously, an age difference is much more normal in the Philippines, so they always supported us no matter what.

“I don’t care what people say about us, I love him very much. We are good people; we love people and care for people and just want that love back.”