JOY TO THE YOUNG
MORE than 30,000 children across the country received early Christmas gifts yesterday from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos at the Malacañang grounds.
The event was part of the First Family’s traditional gift-giving activity.
This year’s “Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya Year 3: A Nationwide Gift-Giving Day” involved 17 local government units (LGUs) from Metro Manila and three LGUs from the Visayas and Mindanao. The event was coordinated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
At the Malacañan Palace, 2,199 children attended the event in person while 27,899 participated via livestream from 17 LGUs and 62 DSWD centers nationwide. Each child received a kiddie gift set, including a trolley bag, pillow, raincoat, socks, face and hand towel, tumbler, and watch.
President Marcos, the First Lady and sons Joseph Simon and William Vincent joined the children in various activities and entertainment, such as inflatables, a trackless train, circus acts, pabitin, among other activities.
In his speech, President Marcos expressed Christmas was truly in the air as he saw children filling the Palace grounds.
“Alam niyo naman, basta’t ‘pag pasko ito’y ino-open house namin dahil ganiyan talaga ang naging tradisyon sa pamilya namin, Pamilya Marcos. Noong bata pa ako at dito pa kami nakatira. Basta’t pasko mayroon kaming handa para sa ating mga maliliit na inaalagaan kaya nandito po tayo ulit,” President Marcos said.
“Kagaya nga ng sabi ko ang pasko naman ay para sa mga kabataan kaya’t tinitiyak natin na kahit sino at napadpad sa malalayo, sa kanilang pamilya, sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay ay kahit paano ay mayroon din silang pasko,” he added.
Before concluding his speech, President Marcos thanked the DSWD for ensuring that the spirit of Christmas was felt by Filipinos, especially children, despite the recent calamities and disasters in the country.
The gift-giving activity, an initiative of the Office of the President, began in 2022 in partnership with the DSWD, private orphanages and communities nationwide. It aims to spread the joy of Christmas to those who have less in life. PCO
