PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos kicked off annual Christmas activities in government — from the lighting of a Christmas Tree at the Malacañang grounds to hosting a gift-giving party for children — over the weekend.
Addressing both events, Marcos recalled the Christmas-related activities that were hosted in Malacañang by his parents — the late President Ferdinand Marcos and First Lady Imelda Marcos — including the children’s parties where he got the chance to mingle and play with other kids.
“Ay nako, napakasaya talaga. At hindi kumpleto ang kahit anong Pasko kung hindi natin nakikita ang ngiti at tuwa ng ating mga anak, ang ating mga apo, ang ating mga kabataan. Kaya’t this is a very, very happy day for me dahil tradisyon ito dati pa dito sa Palasyo. Gumagawa kami ng children’s party ‘pag Pasko (What a happy occasion. Christmas will not be complete if we do not see the smiles and happiness of our kids, grandchildren, the kids. This is a very, very happy day for me because this was a tradition then in the palace. we hold a children’s party during Christmas),” he said during the “Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya: Nationwide Gift Giving” event yesterday.
He recalled that the children’s party then included gift giving, games, magic shows and eating delicious food. He said the difference now is there are giant inflatable slides and bouncy castles on the Palace grounds where some of the children played, apart from the clowns that entertained them.
“I’m just continuing the tradition that was begun in my father’s time. It was the funniest day, all the kids would come. Nakikilaro din ako noon (I’m just continuing the tradition that began in my father’s time. It was the funniest day, all the kids would come. I used to play with them then),” said Marcos, who watched as some children played the pabitin and “kicked off” the dart ball that was put up in the Malacañang garden between the Kalayaan Building and Mabini Building.
The President said Sunday’s event is simultaneously held in around 40 places in the country and aims to ensure that all children in the country get to experience and have a Christmas party.
Each of the children were given backpacks that contained school supplies while their families received a grocery bag. The gifts were provided by private businesses along with the Office of the President, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
The children who attended the event, coming from communities around Malacañang, sang “Holy Night” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” to the President and the First Lady.
On the eve of the event, Marcos, together with the First Lady and youngest presidential son Vincent, led the lighting of the Christmas Tree located at the Kalayaan grounds that was followed by a fireworks display.
The President also presented the winners of the nationwide Christmas Lantern Making contest, namely, South Cotabato, Ilocos Norte and Abra.
Also present in Saturday’s event were Vice President Sara Duterte, Speaker Martin Romualdez, Pampanga Rep. and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, and former First Lady Marcos.
The President was elated that the Christmas Tree Lighting event finally happened, noting the country was on lockdown or restrictions were in place due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for the past three years.
“So, I’m very happy to have been able to do this Tree Lighting and it really is a different feeling dahil matagal na rin nating inantay ‘to kahit ‘yung nakaraang Pasko ay hindi pa tayo — medyo pigil pa. So tatlong tatlong taon na tayo hindi nakapag-Pasko na Pasko na kagaya ng Pasko ng Pilipino. Dahil iba talaga ang pagdiriwang ng Pasko pag nasa Pilipinas ka (So, I’m very happy to have been able to do this Tree Lighting and it really is a different feeling because we have long waited for this, even during last year’s Christmas, we still have to hold it off. So, it has been three years since we celebrated Christmas like the ones that Filipinos usually have. It is really different if Christmas is celebrated in the Philippines),” he said.
Marcos said Christmas is the happiest in the Philippines and preparations usually start in September.
He said he also believes the holidays are really for the children which is why it should be everyone’s goal to ensure the kids are not just happy but also get to share blessings with others “since we have been blessed, all of us, despite all of the challenges we have faced.”
