President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos led the simultaneous gift-giving activity for 30,000 children nationwide on Sunday.
The primary event was held at the Malacañang grounds as part of the First Family’s traditional gift-giving activity during Christmas. It was dubbed “Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya Year 3: A Nationwide Gift-Giving Day.”
A total of 2,199 children attended in person, while 27,899 participated via livestream from 17 local government units and 62 Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) centers nationwide.
Each child received a trolley bag, pillow, raincoat, socks, face and hand towels, tumbler, and watch. Various activities and entertainment were featured during the event.
In his speech, Marcos stressed that Christmas “is truly in the air” when he saw the Palace grounds “filled with happy children.” He then 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.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, together with Undersecretary for Operations Monina Josefina Romualdez and Assistant Secretary for External Assistance and Development Juan Carlo Marquez, also joined the activity.
Rondalla kids from Nayon ng Kabataan a DSWD-run center, also sang Christmas carols at the Palace event.
