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Living (and loving) the single life
Cebu Daily News
June 29 , 2005
Page 19 - 20

BEING single is as much a choice as being in a relationship is a “gift.” Some do believe that it’s best to channel all their energies to something more productive, instead of worrying about dates. There are also others who would rather not get into the whole courtship-relationship shebang just yet. Lonely does not come anywhere near the picture.

“Being single is no longer synonymous with being immature, unsettled in life and irresponsible. Questions such as, ‘When are you going to get married and settle down?” belong to the past, not the reality of young, career-oriented singles today,” says Xavier Amador, co-author of “Being Single in a Couples’ World: How to be Happily Single While Looking for Love” and director of psychology at New York State Psychiatric Institute in New York City.

Although studies show that married people tend to be happier and live longer, healthier lives, marriage is not a high priority, admits Alan de Vera, who is typical of many young bachelors in the Philippines today. He drives a nice car and eats out more than in. “If I fit any stereotype, it’s that of the bachelor,” he says.


the benefits of going solo.

If sleeping alone at night triggers a sense of loneliness, they can just re-spin the situation in their minds to realize the advantages (they can eat ice cream in bed, sleep diagonally, snooze, snore … you name it).

“When you’re single, you can redecorate your place at any time, take off on the spur of the moment, even have the whole crossword puzzle to yourself!” says Rachna D. Jain, Psy.D., a life and relationship coach.

On being single, Vanessa Arellano emphasizes: “It is not a gauge of one’s self-worth and desirability. Most singles share the opinion that being attached is not an assurance of an eternity in bliss. It’s a choice and all of us are entitled to our own.”

The power and needs of Young Cosmopolitans

A RECENT article that appeared in the business section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer (“Best Market Bets for the Year”) explained how globalization and the proliferation of new media, technology, and distribution channels have spurred the need to shift to micro-marketing to cater to a new captive market called the Young Cosmopolitans or YOCOs.

Although some of them are not that young anymore, YOCOs are an interesting market to tap because of several reasons. One is that they have an increasing disposable income. They also have a preference for convenience-driven and digital lifestyles, smart and hip products and services, and those that promise intense sensory experiences like extreme sports, action-filled adventure weekends, and authentic ethnic foods and flavored drinks. They are married to their work and are staying single by choice, at least for now. Some even choose not to get married at all.

“We have seen this market coming, and are in continuous work in finding creative ways to give them what they crave for,” says Mary Anne Go, itzamatch.com Marketing Head. www.itzamatch.com is the Philippines’ first secure and multi-platform portal designed for singles to meet other singles.

Apart from providing comprehensive profiles for singles to find people who share their interests and passions, itzamatch.com has expanded its services to match their market’s lifestyle. Once registration is validated and confirmed, members are free to surf the database and communicate with other members, without needing to reveal their identity until they are certain and comfortable with the new “friends” they have met. Members can also avail of these services and interact with their online friends with their mobile phones. (PR)