Do you, like most people, believe that men are born polygamous?

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Yes, I agree and that is the problem with us Filipino men being born in a country blessed with so many beautiful women.

Digoy Coro, Batangas City: No, the situation dictates it and there are a lot of us who, shall we say, have tremendous self-control.

Yes, as history would attest

Jose Parco, Kalibo, Aklan: If you look at history, you will see that the early Popes had mistresses, and emperors and moguls had hundreds of concubines. Hence, yes, men are very much born polygamous.

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: There must be a good percentage of truth to this belief as far as Pinoys are concerned. Just look at Erap, for example.

Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: If we say “born polygamous”, that seems to connote that we, men, are intended to be polygamous. I believe that God who created us did not have in mind to have the male species of the human race to just have his fill in sex as much as he wants. But, men being of the stronger sex and macho in his ways, developed in time to become polygamous. You read stories on marital and carnal practices in history where men were always the central figure. Even in the Bible, many stories about characters like Abraham, Solomon and David were into it and God never punished them for it.

Jose Jumawan, Metro Manila: Well, history bears that out. The Bible is replete with men who are polygamous and apparently sanctioned by its culture and tradition.

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: That’s what most people, myself included, believe because great men of history from conquerors to men of faith have their own extended families.

Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: No, I don’t think that men born after 10 A.D. are polygamous. In Oedipus Rex, Shakespeare provides a clue. The son killed his father and married only one woman, his mother. He was surrounded by women he could marry, but he married one woman with whom he ruled a kingdom for a lifetime.

Elpidio Que, Vigan: It would be hypocritical of me not to agree that men are born polygamous. In Biblical times, King Solomon and others were allowed by Yahweh to maintain a harem of women, making us now men who love women envy them for the countless sexy Eves and Venuses they had. Most great men in the world satisfied their sexual craves with more than one woman.

Geoffrey Gumban, Davao City: It isn’t inherent, but a man’s vulnerability towards polygamy traces all its roots to the weak foundations of morality built since his nativity!

There are exceptions

Nick Ocampo, Angeles City: I don’t believe that all men are born polygamous. Maybe some are born polygamous, but I am not.

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: That’s a lot of nonsense. I wouldn’t succumb to that view.

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: If men were taught the value of honor and respect for women, then we wouldn’t have this so-called belief that men are born polygamous, a belief rampantly instilled by philandering fathers in the mind of their unsuspecting sons. The belief persists because of the elders’ examples and the environment that influences the child’s growth.

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Definitely, when caught with their infidelity, men will not admit to it and even resort to telling lies. They will not admit and will swear to the highest heavens that they are honest and faithful. I may say, though, that out of 10 men, only about two are honest to their wives.

Nature made it so

Edgar Artates, Parañaque City: Yes, I think so. While women can only give birth to one child at a time, men have the capacity to impregnate as many women as possible, fulfilling his role in procreation and propagation of the species. In certain species of animals, a healthy male maintains a group of females as his sexual partners. Such association is common and natural among animals. Besides, men can easily be excited sexually, making him vulnerable to temptation.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: It has been said that man is polygamous by nature. This is so because man has his basic needs to satisfy, and one of his strongest needs is sex.

Jojo Ocampo, Puerto Princesa: Unquestionably so, since the time of Adam up to the time of the officials we elect. Women need to face it and cease trying to change our nature.

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: It is in men’s genes and hormones to indulge in sex and to procreate.

Rey Onate, Palayan City: Men are born polygamous for he was created not to become monotonous. In doing wondrous things, men have to resort to trial and error.

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: Nature made it so, so that a single male can guarantee the continuation of the species. Erap, Hayden and lots of men whose testosterone levels are high end up suffering from what the Bible warned against serving two masters.

Blaming human nature is just an excuse

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Not really, but men tend to excuse themselves by saying that human nature is to blame.

Rowena Remiendo, Manila: No, I don’t believe that men are born polygamous. The truth is that all humans are born sinners; some people invented that fallacy just to justify men.

This is a sweeping generalization

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City:   It doesn’t follow. I have a dissenting opinion because if agreeing with the premise is just like issuing sweeping statements that all the judges are hoodlums in robes, all policemen are kotong cops, and all gamblers are inherent cheaters. There are still in our midst the so-called exceptions to the rule, and I think that’s fair enough. This is not in defense of men like me (I hope we’re not being singled out), but are the members of the distaff side born monogamous?

Yes, it’s a fact

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: I believe that men are polygamous by nature. Take the case of the Revillas, Dolphy and Erap pruweba na ‘yan!

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: Very much so. I don’t have to look far and wide because I’ve seen it in both mine and my late husband’s families.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Yes, men are not satisfied with one flavor of ice cream and cake.

Chris Navarro, Las Piñas City: It’s not a belief, but a scientific fact.

Felix Ramento, Manila: Yes, I also believe that men are by nature polygamous. Next question, please.

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: I have refused to confirm this myth, but trends and practices lead me to believe in it despite the possibility of being sued for self-incrimination.

Not entirely true

Rex Earlou Calmerin, Iligan City: Half-true and half-false. Men are soldiers of dating, flirting and ladies-hunting with an A+ sexually. When it comes to marriage, it depends on our religious and political beliefs. Sometimes, we make mistakes that we cannot undo.

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: Men are never born polygamous; they are more of opportunists, I would say.

Women aren’t completely monogamous either

Noel Banias, Metro Manila: I dare say that, yes, men are born polygamous. In the same breath, women themselves are not 100-per cent monogamous. A lot of times, men hide behind the adage that morality is relative, that’s why they go on philandering.

Ric Vergara, Calamba City: Yes, but women of today are slowly catching up in the race.

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Yes, but the female species is catching up. Elizabeth Taylor is a good example.

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: Yes, but I also believe women are not born monogamous either. Judgment and discretion separate women from men.

Merlino Quinsay, Ilocos Sur: No, polygamy knows no gender.

Men possess reason and will

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: No, man is born with a superior mind to choose what is right and what is wrong. It is only the human side of man that is weak. This is because of lust, which is embedded in the human system of a man, which can easily defeat the strong resistance of the mind.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Yes, but unlike other creatures, we’re also blessed with reason and will, which differentiate us from them. Hayden Kho wouldn’t be on the front page today if he had used these.

Sahlee Reyes, Las Piñas City: I believe so. And they can choose to have the unconventional lifestyles of being polygamous, as long as they do not hurt anyone and are willing to take full responsibility for it.  

It’s the male ego at work

Dave Velasco, Marinduque: I don’t believe so. Men tend to be polygamous because of a sense of superiority, of custom and tradition to show a macho image.

Voz Butuyan, Pangasinan: Yes, men are polygamous because it is a testament to their manhood!

Angelito Ayuson, Marikina City: No, ego lang iyong masabi lang na tunay sila na lalaki, pero deep inside, may fear factor. Para angat sa iba.

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Yes, that’s why most men look at women as old cars that need to be junked when brand-new model cars are made available. Men aren’t polygamous by nature but polygamous by circumstance. When they become older, like old cows, they want to eat young grass. 

Diony Yap, Bacolod City: That’s true. Just like action stars, politicians and the military: They have much to be proud of. 

Great temptations

Leonard Villa, Batac City: Yes, it’s a universal fact that emanates from human lust ignited by Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Temptation is great and it’s hard to resist it.

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: By nature, yes, they are polygamous; they can’t seem to control their basic instinct. We can’t blame them, as women are more provocative in their way of dressing, with plunging necklines, short shorts, skimpy bikinis, tightly fitted pants with exposed belly buttons. But show him a woman clad like Maria Clara, I doubt if he will give her a second look.Siguro tao lang sila, nagkakamali din.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Sex, being one of man’s basic needs, longs to be satisfied. Put in a conducive situation, man will always tend to satisfy his sexual needs.

June Deoferio, Cavite: Yes, because men are prone to vices today. Girls are easy to get if the price is right.

Kelvin Casamayor, Ilocos Sur: I don’t believe that men are born polygamous even if some are. This habitual act is influenced by the desire for possession, pleasure.

Influenced by our modern environment

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: The belief is not conclusive, but the tendency to be polygamous depends on the bloodline, upbringing, religious belief and financial capabilities, etc.

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: I think most men, by nature, are monogamous. It’s the influence of peers, barkadas, the media and women of non-existent morals that turn them to sin.

Richard Decena, Quezon City: Noong panahon ng tatay ko, konti lang po ang babaero, pero ngayon, teenagers pa lang, dami ng mga syota, dahil po yata sa environment.

It’s best to love one’s partner

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: Men should love their partner. There’s no reason to seek another partner to please one’s emotional and physical needs. Through thick and thin, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, you will always be together with your partner.

Some religions allow it

Ed Alawi, Davao City: I think so, because why do some religions allow their men members to have many wives?

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: In the Bible, God created only an Eve for Adam; hence, men were born monogamous. For Christians, many men became polygamous, not because they were born that way but they were so wicked to get away from the temptation of sin. Mormons and other religious denominations contend that man needs more than one wife as long as he can afford to sustain their needs.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: To some sects, having more wives is a known custom; to Roman Catholics, having a mistress is infidelity. Both speak it well: Men are born polygamous.

Richard Cornelio, Pasay City: In Islam, a man is allowed to have as many as four wives, while in the Hindu religion, a man has no limit in the number of wives he may have. But in the case of Christianity, God created Adam and only one Eve and this is affirmed clearly in the Bible. Thus, men are monogamous and so are women.

We just made rules to restrain it

Vir Lauzon, General Santos City: Yes, men are polygamous by nature. Only our laws and their religion stop them from practicing it.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: We are no different from any other live species that seeks to breed to conform with nature’s command. We just invented rules to restrain ourselves.

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Yes, this fact is borne out by realities in natural laws. It’s a male animal instinct carried by men but restrained by civilization, society, religion and norms.

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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