Yup, any money going out is a gift. Say it in a joking way on FB about the money and noone will know if it's the truth or not, but he'll know you know. He seemed well off all those years cuz he was scamming other people and finally got to you guys on the list. It's not a Filipino ting. Dey are beri nice peepul . But, Pacific Islanders in general are the worst at borrowing and not giving back. It's an old village mentality- what's yours in ours is mine.
They mean well, but not enough to do a damn thing about it! Glad I have another culture in me with more regard for honor and pride- enough to offset that tendency.