Palace hopes optimism continues beyond holidays

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday expressed hope that Filipinos' optimism will prevail during the Yuletide season and the year ahead.

The Palace released the statement following the results of a Social Weather Station survey for the last quarter of 2015 showing that optimism is at its peak in 12 years.

READ: Highest in 12 years: 72% of Pinoys expect happy Christmas – SWS

The survey conducted early December revealed that seven out of 10 Filipinos expect a happy Christmas

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda stressed that this is a rise in expected level of happiness and the return to the 70s level as the expectations declined to the 60s level from the years 2004 to 2013.

"May this optimism energize and encourage all of us to truly serve our country and work together so that all Filipinos will experience peace, prosperity and contentment in the year to come," Lacierda said.

The SWS survey showed that only seven percent of the respondents expect to be sad this season while 20 percent were neutral on expecting happiness and sadness.

Meanwhile, 77 percent of the 1,200 respondents believe it is better to give than to receive. This result was the highest since 2003.

Only 20 percent believe it is better to receive, according to the survey.