In spite of the uncertainties of the times, Filipinos face 2012 more hopeful than they were in recent memory. According to a Pulse Asia survey conducted Nov. 10-23, 2011, virtually nine out of 10 Filipinos face the New Year with hope. "Despite their continuing economic difficulties this year, optimism is the majority sentiment as regards the coming New Year, with 88 percent of Filipinos saying they will face 2012 with hope," Pulse Asia reported. Pulse Asia further noted that "overwhelming majorities in every geographic area (80 to 93 percent) and socio-economic class (85 to 89 percent) express this sentiment. In contrast, less than one in 10 Filipinos (6 percent) will face next year either with apprehension or without hope and without apprehension."

“Optimism is the majority sentiment as regards the coming New Year, with 88 percent of Filipinos saying they will face 2012 with hope,” Pulse Asia stressed. Less than one in 10 Filipinos (six percent) will face next year either with apprehension or without hope and without apprehension, it said. This sentiment was significant considering that the survey said fewer Filipinos expected a more prosperous Christmas season last year. The new-found optimism is crucial as the country faces what the Chinese regard as the year of the Dragon. According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of the Dragon begins on January 23, 2012 and ends on February 9, 2013. The Dragon is the fifth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal signs.  The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend.  It is described as having the head of an ox, muzzle of a donkey, eyes of a shrimp, horns of a deer, body of a serpent covered with fish scales, and feet of a phoenix. 

The dragon usually clutches a pearl symbolic of its super-natural powers.  Invariably accompanied by thunder and rain, dragons move like lightning and whirlwinds - - all powerful yet totally unpredictable. In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and power. Today, it is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness. The Chinese Zodiac, known as Sheng Xiao in Chinese, is based on a twelve year cycle, each year in that cycle related to an animal sign. These animal signs are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. The Chinese zodiac is calculated according to Chinese lunar calendar. Fundamental Christians, however, refuse any reference to any animal, preferring to call every year as “the year of the Lord”. They warn that God despises astrology and horoscopes, among other things pointing to Deuteronomy 18:10-12 which says: “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is medium, or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you.”