Filipinos Still Romantic Fellas

MANILA, Philippines - Despite hard times, Filipinos remain a romantic lot, with more than half believing that first love never dies and four of five believing in love that is meant to be. ADVERTISEMENT This is based on a new survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1 last year, results of which were released Wednesday. The survey was conducted among 1,500 respondents. "Over half (55%) of adult Filipinos believe that 'first love never dies,'" SWS said in its website. It added that 78 percent of respondents believe in the statement, "If you love someone then set him free, if he/she comes back again it was meant to be." SWS said the survey also showed that 59% in the Visayas, 57% in Mindanao, and 52% each in Balance Luzon and Metro Manila believe that "first love never dies." It noted that three out of five (60%) in class E believe in it, 54% in class D, and 47% in class ABC. Belief that first love never dies is similar among men (56%) and women (54%), SWS said. On the other hand, 58% of those 55 years old and above believe in it, 56% among those aged 35-54, 52% among those aged 25-34, and 49% among those aged 18-24. Some 58 percent of those who are married share this belief, 54% among those with live-in partners, and 45% among those without spouse or partner. The second question went, "Naniniwala po ba kayo o hindi naniniwala sa lyrics ng kantang nagsasabing: 'Kung mahal mo ang isang tao, palayain mo siya, at kapag siya'y bumalik ito'y itinadhana (Do you believe or do not believe in the lyrics of one song stating that: 'If you love someone then set him/her free, if he/she comes back again it was meant to be')?'" Of the respondents, 81% in Metro Manila, 79% in Balance Luzon, 78% in the Visayas, and 74% in Mindanao said they believe in it. By class, 79% of class D believe in the statement, 77% among class E, and 76% among class ABC. Seventy-seven percent of men and 79% of women believe in it. "Belief in love that is meant to be is shared by 81% of those aged 25-34 and 45-54, 80% among aged 35-44, 76% among aged 18-24, and 71% among aged 55 and above," SWS added. By civil status, four our of five (81%) of those with a live-in partner believe in it, 79% among those who are married, and 73% among those without spouse or partner. The survey was conducted over Nov. 28 to Dec. 1 last year, using face-to-face interviews with 1,500 adults divided into random samples of 300 each in Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao, and 600 in Balance Luzon. Sampling error margins of ±2.5% for national percentages, ±6% for Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao, and ±4% for Balance Luzon applied to the survey. - GMANews.TV