Marcos leads nationwide gift-giving program

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos led a nationwide gift-giving program and hosted a Christmas party for children yesterday at Malacañang, continuing a tradition observed during the time of his late father and namesake.

About 600 children from communities around the Malacañang complex in San Miguel, Manila were invited to the Kalayaan Grounds, which was transformed into a huge playground with inflatable slides, food booths and clowns.

Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos distributed backpacks with school supplies and toys to children during the event dubbed as “Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya: Nationwide Gift Giving.”

“Any Christmas won’t be complete without seeing the smiles of our children, our grandchildren, our young people. That’s why this is a very happy day for me because it has been a tradition here in the Palace. We would organize a children’s party during Christmas to ensure that all of our young people would have a Christmas,” the President said.

Marcos recalled joining other children in their games during the Christmas parties held under his father’s presidency.

At the event, he gamely kicked balls toward a dartboard and witnessed children jump to get prizes from the pabitin.

Before the gift distribution, children wearing red and green shirts and Santa Claus hats serenaded the First Couple with the Christmas carol “O Holy Night.”

The gift-giving program was held simultaneously in 40 locations around the country. The presents were provided by private businesses and by various government agencies including the Office of the President, the health and social welfare departments, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.