The survey fielded across the country last October 20-29 among 1,200 respondents show that 89 percent of Filipinos are optimistic with the opportunities that the year 2011 will bring to their families.

The latest figure is similar to the result of 86 percent during the same period last year.

Only one in 10 Filipinos (5 percent) is either apprehensive or is going to face next year without hope and without apprehension (6 percent).

Pulse Asia said optimism is the predominant public sentiment with huge majorities across geographic areas (87 to 93 percent) and socio-economic classes (88 to 96 percent) saying they will face the coming year with hope.

Except for the 13-percentage point increase recorded between October 2009 and October 2010, in the percentage of Metro Manilans who are hopeful about the year 2011, public opinion on this matter is generally unchanged year-on-year, the pollster said.

Meanwhile, half of the Filipino population (50 percent) expects this year’s Christmas season will be the same as last year.

This sentiment is shared by at least half of those in the rest of Luzon (54 percent) and Metro Manila (65 percent), as well as in the Class D or masa (50 percent), and the upper-to-middle Class ABC (67 percent).

However, those expecting a more prosperous Christmas this year outnumbered those who expressed a contrary view (39 percent against 11 percent).

A small majority of those in the Visayas (55 percent) think that this year’s Christmas season will be better than last year.

Ellalyn de Vera, Manila Bulletin