Why do you think optimism remains very high among Filipinos in spite of adversities?

JIM VENERACION, NAGA CITY: Filipinos still think that as long as P-Noy remains honest, there’s still hope for them. Honesty is P-Noy’s best ace.

REY ONATE, PALAYAN CITY: That optimism is slowly but surely fading. Wala naman talagang optimism. Nakapagtitiis lang ang marami.

Survey says

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: We’re in a volatile situation where the commission of crimes is prevalent coupled with toll hikes, rising prices of basic commodities, jueteng and payola still rampaging, etc. Thus, the alleged high optimism being propped up by the survey firm run possibly by kin of powers-that-be is meant to neutralize the fear and uncertainties of all concerned. But don’t you worry, with God’s blessings, we can survive.

Felix Ramento, USA: Frankly, the results sound more like a trumpet by the people tasked to prop up P-Noy in the face of adversities.

Elpidio Que, Vigan: We hit rock-bottom economically in the past administration as a champion nation in corruption. People must be thinking, what goes down must come up in spite of the adversities. That is, if what the survey says is correct.

What optimism?

Elmo Cruz, Manila: Let’s be honest with ourselves. Filipinos are pessimists. With the way our state is being run, who would hope for a better Philippines if our justice system could be manipulated in favor of the rich and influential litigants by many incredible means? Charges against the Morong 43 were dropped despite evidence against them and the way they show their communist leaning; the mutineers were granted amnesty; police investigators lack basic knowledge in investigation yet are noted for torturing suspects; carnappers do not just get the victim’s car but burn them both; plundering Generals could easily bargain with the Ombudsman for lighter charges; the drug menace is unstoppable; lack of discipline is everywhere; and the prices of basic commodities is ever increasing while rice harvest is decreasing. I really wonder why and how Filipinos could still muster high hopes with these adversities.

Our hope does not cease

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: Filipinos believe in the saying “habang may buhay, may pag-asa.”

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Because as Filipinos, we still believe in the saying “habang may buhay, may pag-asa” and we have strong faith that help will come, as long as we don’t forget to ask from Him.

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: While there is life, there is hope. It’s as simple as that. I cannot explain why I am optimistic but I have been that way since my youth and up to now I am still hoping against hope, despite my end being just a mile away. Perhaps it’s because I have not yet realized my dream of seeing the Philippines as a people’s paradise.

Concepcion Gaspar, Laoag City: It’s because we keep a strong faith in God and when there is faith, there is hope. We are optimistic as long as there is still life. Our hope does not cease. We look at a glass as half-full instead of half-empty.

We don’t have a choice

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: Know what? We don’t really have a choice. That is why, given the opportunity, the majority of Filipinos would do what it takes to work abroad and bring their family there, right? Of course, that does not include those who are doing well here due to legal means and those who thrive because they are corrupt. I really don’t think that Filipino optimism is very high. It’s just that they really have no other choice.

Fighting spirit

Lucas Banzon Madamba, Laguna: Filipinos are known to be fighters (for a just cause) until the very end as well as survivors in spite of adversities. They remain focused on their main goals, which call for an absolute exercise of their objective towards abundant prosperity. Filipinos who have been fighters (especially freedom and democratic fighters) are some of our heroes like Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Ramon Magsaysay and Ninoy Aquino, as well as those Filipinos who work abroad in order to help and support their loved ones and possibly their communities.

June Deoferio, Cavite: Filipinos are persevering by nature. Despite hardship and poverty in life, they remain optimistic.

Dennis Vibandor, Camarines Sur: It’s one of the unique qualities of Filipinos. We are always hopeful that there is a silver lining behind the clouds. So no matter how hard the challenges, trials and sufferings we’ve gone through, we always stand up from every fall to face the new day with a smile.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: The Filipino poor are not as hard up and desperate as the poor of other countries. We are the kind of people who are imaginative enough to solve our problems and survive.

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: Optimism is one of the endearing traits of Filipinos in facing every challenge in life. Filipinos do not retreat and surrender from the adversities they meet in life and this trait makes them resilient in all human endeavors, despite difficulties in their lives.

In God we trust

Diony Yap, Bacolod City: We don’t lose hope because we are a Christian nation. Despite the adversities, we firmly believe that the future belongs to those who prepare for it.

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: It’s the sense of God that keeps Filipinos hopeful and therefore optimistic. We believe that all adversities around us are temporary, and that we can sail through these storms with God’s help and our own efforts as well.

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Despite the many adversities, both natural and political, Filipinos have remained God-fearing and resolute and a happy people. We know how to count our blessings.

Jun Montebon, Parañaque City: Religion must have something to do with it. Too many people are led to believe that the poor shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: We greatly believe that the Almighty God is with us always, that we rely on Him for the rest of our worries. Besides, we are hardworking and very determined individuals, that someday, somehow, things will turn out for the better.

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: God will provide. The Philippines is home to 90 million Filipinos, mostly Catholics, and great believers in the Almighty. More often than not, Filipinos also believe in the saying that there is sunshine after a storm, and thus optimism remains very high in spite of adversities in their lives. We believe that adversities make us wiser and stronger. I am proud to be a Filipino.

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Filipinos are deeply religious people. In times of adversities, they prefer to see the light rather than the darkness.

Jesus Mendoza, Pangasinan: Filipinos remain optimistic despite adversities because of their deep faith in God, although their religiosity is sometimes misplaced.

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: Filipinos’ deep abiding faith in God makes them highly optimistic, no matter the gravity of problems befalling. The “bahala na attitude” is derived from leaving one’s fate to “Bathala” or God, whatever happens.  Never-say- die attitude is prevalent among us.

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: Our being deeply religious and the trust in the present government, whose leader continues to gain political support from all sectors of our society, are reasons that Filipinos remain optimistic.

Pinning our hopes on P-Noy

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: I think it’s because for the first time in a decade, we have a President who is bent on fighting corruption. This is a total about-face compared to his predecessor, who pretended to lead effectively but was seemingly busier fattening more their family resources and riches.

Ferdinand Rafer, Cavite: Because an Aquino was elected, people believe that everything will just fall into place. The people had the same attitude when the late Cory was elected.

We hope for a better Philippines

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Maybe there are some Filipinos, like me, who are optimistic about achieving a better Philippines in spite of adversities. However, the majority of Filipinos are just waiting for the opportunity to migrate to other countries for security reasons as they find that the Philippines offers nothing but hopelessness. My optimism is that the time will come when Filipinos will realize that progress through the Western way is actually sinking us into a quagmire of imperialism that is sapping every drop of our blood. We will find out sooner or later that going back to basics will ultimately bring us back to sanity.

Look at our movies

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Try watching a locally-made film. In the first part of the film, the main actor is made kawawa or api-apihan, nabugbog, but in the end, he wins and the villains are vanquished. The Filipinos’ psyche, or frame of mind, was molded into this kind of scenes and settings and believe that good will ultimately triumph, no matter how long the waiting would take. Kaya mabenta ang ganitong mga klase ng pelikula. Optimists? Maybe suckers, pwede.

Land of smiles

Edwin Chinel Monares, Rizal: Filipinos are, by nature, optimists. Amidst all adversities, a Filipino can always offer a radiant smile. It has evolved into a culture so that Filipinos look at life in a very positive perspective. In fact, we are one of the happiest people in the world.

Louie Vallo, Pangasinan: I think Filipinos are natural-born optimists. That’s why even if we as people have gone through and experienced the darkest and most dreaded tragedies and events, we continue to remain positive in our outlook.

Louella Brown, Baguio City: Optimism remains very high among Filipinos in spite of adversities because it is their nature to be so. Indeed, being positive is a very desirable Filipino trait.

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: It’s the only thing left for most Filipinos, our being optimistic that is. This optimism drives us to hurdle the obstacles of our daily living and gives us a ray of hope that someday we will see the light at the end of the tunnel. On the other hand, adversities make us more seasoned and stronger and bring us closer to God.

Charlene Cruz, Nueva Ecija: Well, I must say this is all because of the attitude that we inherited from our parents. Some would say we are weird that we still laugh even though we face several adversities. However, we have a definitive attitude that cannot be detached from us. It’s our being happy persons.

To each his own

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: The rich are optimistic that they can run away from their taxes. On the other hand, the poor are optimistic that the government will feed them for another day. The middle class go out of the country and live elsewhere.

Optimism without equal

Carmela Ramento, Cagayan de Oro City: Despite adversities, Filipinos keep producing babies in hopes that one or two will make good in life. That is optimism without equal.

We have short memories

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Cabanatuan City: I think Filipinos hardly learn their lessons from adversities. They seem to have a very short attention span and short-term memory. That’s why they are always optimistic and happy. We are one of the happiest people in the word, aren’t we?

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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