Over 17,000 kids get gifts from Malacañang ahead of Christmas

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos welcome over 1,000 children during the gift-giving activity at Malacañan Palace on November 26, 2023. Photo from the Presidential Communications Office

MANILA, Philippines – In what appears to be an early Christmas celebration, over 17,000 children from select shelters and orphan care centers across the country have received gifts from Malacañang on Sunday.

This “Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya” gift-giving activity was simultaneously held across 300 satellite centers nationwide with the help of the Department for Social Welfare and Development and its private partners.

“There are 1,120 children in the National Capital Region who received the early Christmas gifts; 449 in Cebu; 600 in Davao; and over 14,867 children in other satellite centers across the country,” the Malacañang said in a statement.

The gift-giving in Malacañang palace was attended by more than 1,000 children who were welcomed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

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“Merry Christmas sa inyong lahat! Merry Christmas ‘yung mga maliliit na bata,” Marcos said.

(Merry Christmas to all of you! Merry Christmas to the little children.)

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“We all know that Christmas is really about the children. And we always have a Merry Christmas when the children have a good Christmas. Na makita natin ang inyong mga ngiti, na kayo naman ay ‘pag sinabing Merry Christmas ay may kabuluhan,” he added.

(We all know that Christmas is really about the children. And we always have a Merry Christmas when the children have a good Christmas. Seeing your smiles, when we say ‘Merry Christmas,’ becomes meaningful.)

The President likewise called the children the “most loved sector” as they are the future of the country.