PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to find reasons to celebrate the holidays as he led the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañang on Sunday.
Joined by first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, their three children, former first lady Imelda Marcos and several government officials, Marcos urged Filipinos to look back on the year that is about to end and find reasons to celebrate despite “all the trials and tribulations.” He urged Filipinos to include in their prayers “all those people who up to now are trying to recover” from the spate of calamities that inundated many parts of the country.
“Many of them are still in shelters; many of them are still in need. Let’s just keep them in mind and do what Filipinos do. Let’s help each other,” he said.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and guests applaud as they watch performances during the Christmas tree
lighting ceremony in Malacañang on Dec. 1, 2024. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO
“My Christmas wish is that despite everything, every Filipino should feel, somehow, Christmas. 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,” he added.
Among the highlights of the event were the performances of world-renowned Filipino entertainers such as Jose Mari Chan, Carla Guevara-Laforteza, Audie Gemora and the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines.
The president conferred awards on the top three winners of the National Parol-Making Competition dubbed “Isang Bituin, Isang Mithiin,” spearheaded by the Office of the President, Office of the Social Secretary and Department of Education.
This year’s competition gathered 148 Christmas lanterns created by various public secondary schools.
Malacañang’s ground would be open to the public under its “Tara Sa Palasyo” program starting on Dec. 16, when the traditional Simbang Gabi begins.
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