If there is one thing I noticed as I age, it's that the older one gets, the easier it is to meet women. In fact, it is more likely that a woman will cast a glance at you and smile flirtatiously. I can't say that I have grown more handsome as the years piled on me. My cheeks have sagged a bit. I have grown a slight paunch. My eyes have sunk and crescent etches have appeared underneath them.

But for some strange reason, when I unwind in a bar with my tie loosened and my sleeves rolled up, I find that it is much easier to coax a smile from ladies sitting afar. I meet their glance, typically when they look up, lock into their eyes for a second or two, and then stretch my lips into a slight, humble grin. They smile back. I follow up with a simple "How are you?" and then continue with a "What brings you here?" question. I don't linger too long as many times I am just in the bar for a beer and not for long conversations.

But, some years back, women would not even give me the time of day.

I don't think women have grown more liberal within that period. I still dress the same. I still drive the same type of car. The only major purchase I have made for myself is a watch. So I figured this: women are paying more attention to me mainly because I have aged. What's it with age anyway that makes a man more attractive to women?

I was in a drinking bout with a old college friend of mine and he provided some insights. He mentioned that women are attracted to financial stability. A "mature" man---especially one dressed in neat, crisp office attire---who is well-groomed and who is well-garnished with subtle but classy trimmings like a Rolex watch and a million-peso vehicle is viewed as a viable mate by single women. He screams "disposable income" and the woman sees the potential of that income being disposed on her.

I recall a quip: "Those who say that money can't buy love does not know where to shop." With age comes career. With career comes money. With money comes financial independence. And with financial independence means more money to splurge. Women, I think, can sense this. Tigresses are drawn to the more powerful male in order to survive.