CALL her Sandra, a very attractive, emotionally mature and well-educated marketing executive with no distinguishable tattoos, prison records or psychosis. In short, just your ordinary single woman looking for Mr. Right.

Like most single women, Sandra would go to great lengths to find her prince?even if it means kissing 30 frogs. So far, she?s gone out on 30 first dates, each one a disappointment, she swears.

About a year ago, Sandra finally got over a bad break-up with a long time boyfriend, and alerted her friends of her intention to jump back into the dating scene. Determined to get her hitched in a year or at least involved in a meaningful relationship, her well-meaning married buddies lined up their list of candidates and initiated project ?Date the World.?

Here?s Sandra on her revolving-door dates:

How many dates have you had in the last year or so?

About 40 dates in a little over a year.

Do you consider yourself picky?

Maybe I?m a bit particular when it comes to men, but rightly so. We can?t be okay with just any Tom, Dick or Harry. We deserve only the best!

However, based on experience, it seems that I always fall for certain types of men: that bad boy, complex/complicated, needs to be saved kind? I?m only half-joking when I say I have a messianic complex. Hahaha!

What are you looking for in a guy?

Well, here are some traits from my latest edition:

a) Must have ambition and drive
b) Makes me laugh
c) Must be more intelligent than me, as well as street smart
d) Must accept my family, my friends, and me for who I am
e) Must enjoy the finer things in life: traveling, art, living well, music, dancing, and keep himself well groomed
f) Must be athletic, preferably one who loves the beach and the water
g) Must be able to plan and control his finances?responsible
h) Adores me?can compromise without difficulty
i) Should have his own friends and balance his time between them and me. Must have his own identity and not be my shadow
j) Must have passion for what he does.

Any tips for people who are dating again after a break-up?

? Don?t expect anything?just have fun.
? Take things as they come and do it lightly.
? Don?t think that this date is going to be THE ONE because if you do, he?ll immediately get wind of it and you can be sure that there will be no second date.
? Only agree to a second date if you find the guy interesting.
? Only agree to a third date if you are definitely interested in him (in a ?more than just friends? kind of way).
? If you just want to be friends with him, agree to a third date but make sure it?s a big group thing.
? Always have an exit plan. Have SMS codes with your friends: one that means you?re having a great time; another that means you aren?t too sure yet what to make out of it, and the last that means, CALL ME NOW, I NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE!

Cite ways to make the most out of a date.

1) Be open and positive about meeting different people.
2) Be ready to entertain both yourself and your date just in case he?s one of those unimaginative, no personality types.

Are there telltale signs that a date is not going to work out?

? If you feel like crap. In which case do yourself and your date a favor and postpone the date.
? He doesn?t talk at all?not even about himself.
? He talks about himself all the time and doesn?t give you a chance to say anything
? I can?t believe I?ll actually admit this but in retrospect, those dates who never called and only communicated via text never work out?they?re actually the worst!

Where are the best date places in Manila?

It all depends on what rocks your boat?I love music, dancing, coffee, and a good beer so I like going to Saguijo, Spicy Fingers, any good coffee place, Planet Beer or any good bar? These are probably best when going on second dates. For a first date, a nice, quiet place where you don?t really know anyone is always good. That way if he doesn?t turn out to be too great then at least no one you know sees you!

Knowing that first impression is key, what do you wear on a first date?

Definitely casual chic?comfortable jeans, a great top and fab heels?for confidence personified and strong presence.

What should he wear on a date?

Anything that makes him comfortable as long as he looks decent and not sketchy.

What should he not wear on a date?

Anything that makes him look "jeprox"? and outdated. Slippers are a big no-no? unless you go someplace that calls for it, like the beach.

A sampling of Sandra?s first dates:

1. The Politician?I cannot be a politician?s wife; I suffer from foot in mouth disease.

2. Goody Two Shoes?nice and good-looking but really too nice he was boring.

3. My friend?fun great guy but no sparks.

4. Bi-polar?seriously, I believe he was. Started talking to me like I was his shrink. I have my own issues to deal with; I don?t need his.

5. Super forgettable and unmemorable, I can barely remember his name.

6. Young?six years my junior. I love kids but I?m not into babysitting dates.

7. Telephone pole?he was tall, that?s all.

8. Geriatric?as in, who?s your daddy? Ugh!

9. Seriousness personified?I believe that laughter is good for the soul; it didn?t seem like he does.

10. He Who Must Not Be Named?this is meant both literally and figuratively. This is my "perfect love." I didn?t know what hit me. Unfortunately, this perfect guy does not come with the perfect situation. A bit of a romantic tragedy actually?

Last words?

After that last one, I really needed a break.