Majority of Pinoys remain optimistic despite pandemic – Veritas survey

BY CHRISTINA I. HERMOSO

Despite the pandemic and the string of natural calamities that struck the country, the majority of the Filipinos remain optimistic and hopeful.

According to the nationwide Radio Veritas Truth Survey (VTS), 79 percent of Filipinos are optimistic that 2021 will be a better year.  In addition, the VTS said, 14 percent of those surveyed are not very optimistic that the new year will be a better year, while 7 percent said, 2021 will not be a better year because of the on-going pandemic and the series of calamities that affected the country.

Sociologist Bro. Clifford Sorita, head of the Veritas Truth Survey said, the personal experiences of the respondents have affected their mindset.

“The experiences brought about by 2020 – our Taal Volcano eruption, typhoons Ambo, Rolly, Siony, and Ulysses plus this COVID-19 pandemic – has prompted our respondents to choose a somewhat CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM towards 2021. Hopeful yet guarded and tempered. As this idiom would suggest it is a feeling of general confidence regarding the New Year and its possible outcome coupled with a sense of readiness for possible difficulties or disappointment,” Sorita said over Radio Veritas.

The survey was conducted from November 20 to December 20, 2020.

Radio Veritas president Rev. Fr. Anton Pascual, meanwhile, called on the faithful to remain strong in faith.

“May this sense of optimism be an outpouring of grace to equip each and every one of us to be aware constantly of God’s presence, power and peace – Emmanuel, God is with us. Let us overcome the fear and helplessness during this pandemic crisis and be anointed by the Spirit of POWER, LOVE, and WISDOM from heaven. ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it’ (John 1:5),” Fr. Pascual said. (Christina I. Hermoso)