Rich vs. good-looking: Pinoys react to SWS survey

MANILA, Philippines - Many Filipinos lost no time in reacting to the results of a Social Weather Stations survey saying that majority (51%) of Filipinos prefer someone "rich but ugly" rather than "good-looking but poor" as a life partner.

Both singles and couples expressed their opinion on social networking sites about the survey results.

Choosing 'rich but ugly' is practical

In choosing "rich but ugly", some netizens say it's all about being practical as looks won't put food on the table.

On Facebook, user Naejla Eiram Salcedo posted: "Practicality wise, syempre ung mayaman kahit na panget...lalo na sa panahon ngayon mahirap ang buhay... :))"

Brenda Antolin posted also on Facebook: "Sa gaya kong single mom, dun nlang ako s panget na mayaman. eventually matutunan ko ring siyang mahalin...natry ko ng magmahal ng may looks dami naman kaagaw."

Iboy Ricafrente commented on Facebook, "Madali nang pagandahin o gwapuhin ang pangit kung mayaman dahil sa makabagong teknolohiya. ang maganda o gwapo mahirap payamanin dahil sa ekonomiya. kaya mas ok na ang pangit na mayaman."

And Rubi Ann posted also on Facebook: "mayaman pero pangit...practical na tayo ngayon...aanhin mo ang guwapo kung wala naman kayo makain?

Looks are important

On the other hand, being handsome or beautiful is more important to other netizens, as they say one can work hard to earn money later on.

User rojan88 tweeted: "Mahirap na maganda, mayaman naman sa pagmamahalan, tsaka nalang kame magsusumikap na magpayaman sa pera."

On Facebook, James Clifford Tio Turno posted: "Appearance.. If you have the looks, you will also have the chance to have money. Example: modeling and artist.. Hahaha.."

And Mardicas Ian, also on Facebook, said: "Appearance...why....kung mukhang unggoy ka..mahirap baguhin yun...ubos pera mo kaibigan...pag good looking ka mag artista ka at magkapera...mahalikan mo pa c angel locsin....aw"

Only love matters

But for others, money or looks don't matter at all--only love does.

Fretz Cheline, posting on Facebook, said: "Siempre ung taong mahal ko at mahal na mahal din ako kahit anung itsura niya, ke panget, ke mataba, payat i dont care. ang pera sabay naming pagiipunan un."

Rhenan O. Bacolod also said on Facebook: "Di importante ang yaman o ganda, basta ang mahalaga, ang kalooban...lalo na yung may sense of commitment at di basta-basta susuko sa kahit anumang hamon ng buhay."

And on Twitter, user jcob_malaguit tweeted: "Wala po sa choices, kahit na ano pa man ang itsura ng magiging wife ko eh mas pipiliin ko po ung mahal ako :)"

What about 'good-looking but stupid' or 'ugly but smart'?

Asked by Bandila anchor Karen Davila who will he choose as life partner -- someone good-looking but stupid, or ugly but smart -- co-anchor Julius Babao confessed that he will choose someone "good-looking but stupid."

"Maganda pero boba! Alam mo kung bakit? Magha-hire ako ng tutor. Ipasok mo sa eskwela. Pag-aralin mo. Natututunan naman 'yan eh. Kesa naman pangit, araw-araw pag gising mo sa umaga 'yung mukhang pangit [ang makikita mo]. Iiwan mo rin 'yun balang araw," Babao explained to Davila and co-anchor Ces Drilon, who were both laughing their hearts out.

Drilon remarked that this just goes to show that men are really visual.

But on Saturday morning, Babao had to explain on air to wife and co-host Tintin Bersola-Babao on their radio show on DZMM, "Magandang Morning with Julius and Tintin", that his remark didn't mean she is stupid.

"Wala kang kinalaman don kasi 'yun ay categorical answer to a legitimate question...Ang asawa ko, nasa 'yo na lahat. Swerteng swerte talaga ako sa 'yo...Buti na lang, ang misis ko maganda na, matalino pa."

Then he added in describing his wife: "At mayaman!" After a short pause, he clarified that his wife is "Mayaman sa pagmamahal."

"Bibihira ang palarin ng ganyan," Babao admitted.

source: abs cbn