MANILA, (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ushered in the holiday season Sunday night, lighting a giant Christmas tree at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañang and delivering a message of resilience amid a “tough year.”
“My Christmas wish is that despite everything, every Filipino should feel, somehow, Christmas… We all deserve Christmas. It’s been a tough year,” Marcos told attendees, acknowledging the difficulties faced by the nation, including six typhoons that struck the country in just 23 days.
“Because, after all, no matter how many typhoons they throw at us, no matter how many problems are thrown at us, there’s nothing that will quench the Christmas spirit in the Filipino heart in every child, man, woman Filipino. Hindi mo na matatanggal sa Filipino ‘yan,” Marcos added.
The President was joined by the First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and members of the First Family, including Representative Sandro Marcos and Simon Marcos and Former First Lady Imelda Marcos, alongside other family members.
The evening’s festivities included the traditional tree lighting ceremony and the awarding of the “Isang Bituin, Isang Mithiin Year 3” national parol-making competition, with the first-place winner receiving a P1 million prize.
Here are the winners:
- 1st place — Pedro V. Panaligan Memorial National High School
- 2nd place — Panabo City National High School
- 3rd place — Roxas City School for Philippine Craftsmen (Roxas City Division)
The event also featured performances by Alice Reyes Dance Philippines and heartfelt Christmas songs by Jose Mari Chan, joined by Carla Laforteza.
Notable guests included Cabinet members, Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia, and former Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas.
A variety of regional delicacies will also be showcased to highlight the country’s rich culinary traditions.
Marcos continued a family tradition of opening Malacañang to the public during the Christmas season, a practice started by his parents.
The event symbolized hope and unity, with the president urging Filipinos to support one another during difficult times. (JVD/PIA-NCR)
(Photos by Jumalynne V. Doctolero/PIA-NCR)
