Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines (AHN) – While the majority of Europe and many Western countries are enveloped with snow and going through a gloomy Yuletide season, the sun is shining literally and figuratively in the Philippines. The bright tropical weather is reflected internally as surveys show a majority of Filipinos are optimistic for the year-end holidays and the coming year.
A Social Weather Station survey made on the last week of November found that 69 percent of Filipinos expect a happy Christmas. Only 7 percent have a bleak outlook, while 24 percent were neutral.
The figures showed an improvement from last year’s 64 percent optimistic outlook, which had been flat in the 62 to 64 range for the past six years. The number of pessimists also dipped from 10 percent.
The survey, however, failed to break the 2002 record of 82 percent who said they expected a cheerful Yuletide.
Christmas is a major holiday in the Philippines – Asia’s only predominantly Catholic nation – with celebrations lasting until the first week of January. The Catholic spirituality of many Filipinos is seen as the reason why 57 percent of the survey respondents picked non-material gifts are their most important present for their loved ones, followed by love and affection, and family togetherness and family relations.
Only 30 percent favored material gifts, 10 percent opted for clothes and shoes, 5 percent food and 4 percent money.
The bright outlook extends well into the incoming year. An October survey by market research firm Synovate found that 51 percent of Filipinos believe their life will improve further in 2011. Another 39 percent of 2,000 respondents said their personal finances would likely remain the same next year.
On a macro level, 47 percent said they anticipate the Philippine economy to improve next year, but 40 percent saw a stagnant economy.
Because of the generally bright outlook, 58 percent said they would hike their budget for Christmas decorations, 42 percent said they would increase spending on gifts, but only 18 percent said they will spend more for food.
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