What men really want in women

In my interviews with men who consult me for marital problems, I’ve discovered that men who prefer women for the latter’s physical attractiveness alone encounter problems in their marriage. This is because they got married in such a brief span of time without getting to know the true personality of the women they married. For these men, the beautiful women they married were like trophies for display to their friends. Which of course led to failed marriages.

There are guys who are happy with their relationships and guys who are still searching for the woman of their dreams. This is how guys really like their women to be:

• Art Valino (Commission on Audit) – "She should be broadminded to make the relationship last."

• Ruffy Nicdao, M.D. (Family Medicine, Guagua, Pampanga) – "Honest, down-to-earth and God-fearing."

• "Charlie" (medical representative) – "I like a woman who is supportive of her man. She must be intelligent, independent and will look after me and the children. It helps if we share the same interests. She must have a pleasant disposition in life, a sense of humor to make life’s trials lighter, and the capacity to see the goodness in a person. She should pay little attention to one’s shortcomings. I dislike a woman who nags, who has a bad temper and who complains a lot."

• Alessandro Jurado (QC prosecutor) – "She must be physically and mentally attractive. Her personality must be strong, vibrant, interesting, flexible and adaptable."

• Vic de Guzman (businessman) – "She must be intelligent and witty. Sexy and pretty are an advantage."

• Joje Los Baños, M.D. (psychiatrist) – "Sexy and beautiful but not ‘tweetum’ or girly as to be a helpless damsel in distress. In other words, she is ‘not maarte’ ."

• Col. Sonny Castro – "She’s a woman who understands my career, preferably knows how to make a living, would pamper me a little bit, cooperative, loyal, caring and hot in bed."

• Nikki Lazareto (Philippine Electric Corp. assistant to the Quality, Environment, Safety and Health Management Representative) – "Malambing" (affectionate).

• Tristan Hilario, M.D. (resident physician) – "Beautiful body... saka na ang mind. It can wait."

• Wendell Valdecantos, M.D. (resident physician) – "She should be smart, have good hygiene, dress well, be independent, have a career, a sense of humor, slim, waistline at least below 34 inches, long legs and a nice butt, and a nice personality."

• Jess Basuel (district sales manager, AstraZeneca) – "A woman who attends dearly to all my needs."

• Willy Laxa, M.D. (Surgeon, Guagua, Pampanga) – "She’s kind, understanding, good sense of humor, not a smart aleck."

• Joe Mar Tabarangao (operations manager, APAC Phil.) – "Sweet, understanding, and never boring!"

• Leo Ferrer (mechanical engineer, RCC Marketing Corp.) – "She has to have a face you would want to see every morning when you wake up and she gets into your skin without her even saying a word."

• Edu Bautista (Office Automation and Development Support, HSBC) – "She has a sense of humor and confidence."

• Pye Ponce (Tech Support supervisor) – "Smart and funny."

• BJ Jao, M.D. (incoming resident, UP-PGH Dept. of Surgery) – "A woman who can make me laugh and smile, with intelligence and wit to make our conversations last, open-minded, patient and caring with all the sweetness that goes with it."

• Ogie Ramos (vocalist, Retrospect) – "I like simple, responsible women. Those who talk with sense and humor and are fun to be with."

• Anonymous surgeon – "I only love psychiatrists."

• Jmart Castro (vocalist and manager of Retrospect) – "Sweet, caring, clean and hot in bed."

So you see dear readers, men vary when it comes to what they want in women. Some prefer their women to be skinny but a lot more prefer their women to be sexy. Some men love to be pampered and cared for by their women. Some prefer a combination of beauty and brains. And there are very practical men who prefer women who are rich and generous. And of course, men prefer their women to just love them for what they are.

(In case you have problems about love, looks and relationships, do send your letters to The Philippine Star c/o Allure Section or send them directly to Suite 506 Medico Bldg., Lourdes St. cor. San Miguel Ave., Pasig; fax no. 631-38-77; tel. no. 633-38-93; e-mail address: ninahalili@hotmail.com)