Bill, the correct translation of "gusto rin kita hinda lang bilang isang kaibigan" is "I also like you as my friend"

Best wishes
Roomy

Hi. Please let me inform you that the above statement should be accepted as a complement or perhaps a flattery [well, usually--of course it depends on who said it :) ]

Anyway, the "truly literal" translation of "Gusto kita hindi lang bilang isang kaibigan" is as follows:

1) "Gusto kita" means "I like you" or "I want you"

2) "hindi" means "not"

3) "lang" means "only"

4) "bilang" means "as"

5) "isang" means "one" or "a"

6) "kaibigan" means "friend"

Thus...the person who told you is, at the least, a "little" admirer of yours. Well, it's your free will if you would like to return the favor (if you like him/her, of course, and/or if you see it fit to tell him/her that). But just in case you would want to respond "safely" but "favorably", just say, "maraming salamat" (thank you very much).

Or, if you also like the person, well...you could say "gusto rin kitang maging hindi lang isang kaibigan" ("I also want you not only as a friend...") And perhaps, who knows...

Hope this helps. Belated Valentines! :)