President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. spearheaded the gift-giving in the Malacañang Palace as part of the nationwide gift-giving day on Sunday, Nov. 26.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos joined the President in the gift-giving activity, which had a theme “Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya” and was attended by 1,700 children.
In his message, the President mentioned that the gift-giving activity not only reached children in Manila but also in the provinces.
“Ngayon lamang ay syempre high-tech na tayo, hindi lang dito sa Palasyo nagkakaroon ng Maligayang Pasko at Gift-Giving, lahat ng ating gagawin ngayon kundi sa iba’t ibang lugar sa Pilipinas para naman ay lahat ng ating mga kabataan ay makaramdam ng Pasko,” he said.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the gift-giving activity was simultaneously held at over 250 satellite centers nationwide.
PCO data shows that early Christmas gifts were given to 1,120 children in the National Capital Region; 449 in Cebu; 600 in Davao; and over 14,867 children in other locations.
Marcos acknowledged that “Christmas is really about the children.”
“And we always have a Merry Christmas when the children have a good Christmas. Na makita natin ang inyong mga ngiti, na kayo naman ay ‘pag sinabing Merry Christmas ay may kabuluhan,” he continued.
Before the gift-giving activity, the President and the First Lady led the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Malacañang Compound on Saturday, Nov. 25, to formally welcome the Yuletide season.
