Full of hope for the new year!

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The most recent survey conducted by the Social Weather Station shows that the Filipino people generally hold high hopes for the coming year. Survey statistics show that 89 percent of our people are hopeful about the prospects of 2010, while only 11 percent are apprehensive over what it holds for them.

Indeed we Filipinos are by nature an optimistic people. Some would say that it is not optimism but fatalism that makes us accept whatever happens to us, as shown by so many sayings handed down by our elders all depicting this attitude.

But it is this trait of looking at the bright side, of seeing the silver lining that has enabled our people to surmount all the obstacles and problems that we encounter in our lives. It is this never-say-die spirit that had enabled our fellow Filipinos to survive and move on after the terrible natural calamities that occurred in the past year.

In the year that is going out, we saw such disasters as killer floods, landslides, earthquakes, fires, typhoons, and, lately, there is even the threat of an eruption from our famous volcano, Mayon. But these have all been taken in stride by our people, who continue to hope for the best, as they are doing again, and as confirmed by the SWS surveys.

And this hope is nurtured by our people's faith in God and their belief in the effectiveness of prayer. These are what give them the inspiration and the determination to look at the brighter side of life. They know that, despite all the trials we have undergone, we are still a blessed people, gifted with intelligence, talent, and confidence in what we can accomplish if we do our best.

That is why, the survey results are believable, in fact, we do not need one to tell us this: We know ourselves and we know there is nothing that we cannot surmount through hard work, faith and prayer.

And that is why, despite what we went through in the past year, we still believe we will realize more of our dreams this coming year.

A Happy and Blessed New Year to one and all!*