President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has often joked that his Ilocano roots come out every time he leads aid distribution efforts or awards land titles and certificates of debt condonation.

Ilocanos are often perceived as “kuripot” or stingy by many people. As a son of Ilocos Norte, Marcos is no stranger to such expectations. However, due to his duties and responsibilities as the nation’s leader, he wants to be seen in an entirely different light.

Following in the footsteps of his late father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., Bongbong seeks to emulate his legacy of giving back to the people by continuing projects, distributing aid, and forgiving farm land debts.

With an abundance of agricultural wealth, Marcos has said he hopes to share these blessings with the Filipino people. He has done so through the Kadiwa Market.

While products are not given for free, they are sold at lower prices compared to the market, as they are sourced directly from farmers. This farm-to-table scheme helps farmers sell their goods and eases the public’s hardships brought on by inflation.

Marcos has emphasized that he wants the Filipino people to feel comfort during his term. Among his many activities, Christmas is the one that excites him the most. However, this year, the season was clouded by six typhoons that battered the country in just three and a half weeks.

During the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Malacañang Palace on 8 December, he reminded the public that every Filipino deserves to celebrate Christmas. At the time, a massive fire had displaced residents in Tondo, Manila, just as the holiday approached.

While the President lamented the challenges of the past weeks, he found joy in the gift of giving.

On what seemed like an ordinary day, Marcos visited several institutions in Metro Manila to deliver gifts. His first stop was Marillac Hills and the Haven for Women in Muntinlupa City.

He brought gifts and government assistance to victims of sexual abuse and exploitation.

‘Thank you’

Twenty 50-kilogram sacks of rice were donated to Marillac Hills, while 10 sacks were sent to the Haven for Women facility. Food packs, medicines, vitamins, toiletries, and infant supplies were also distributed to the beneficiaries.

“I’m very happy that I was able to come again. I felt our Christmas spirit again,” Marcos told the crowd. In return, he received a heartfelt “thank you” performance from the recipients.

“We thought we were here to bring you gifts to make you happy, but you made us happy. Thank you very much,” Marcos added.

Afterward, Marcos visited the Manila Boys Town Complex in Marikina City, where he distributed food packs, health kits, blankets, towels, mops, and other essentials to the elderly and children under their care, in coordination with the local government of Manila.

He reassured the residents of the institution that they had not been forgotten.

“We will continue to help you. We will continue to think of you. Don’t think for even a moment that you have been forgotten or that you are no longer being thought of. You are always in our thoughts,” Marcos said.

“We continue to do everything we can to fulfill our prayer that all Filipinos can say, ‘We feel the Christmas spirit,’” he added.

On 14 December, Marcos led the distribution of frozen mackerel to residents of Tondo, Manila. These fish products were confiscated after being smuggled into the country. Each recipient received two kilos of fish, which Marcos described as an early Christmas gift, perfect for Noche Buena.

These frozen fish products were also distributed in other areas of the country, particularly in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

In solidarity with calamity victims, Marcos called for simpler Christmas parties in public offices. To honor this commitment, government offices, including the Office of the President, held modest celebrations focused on camaraderie and public service.

Gift of life

Last week, President Marcos celebrated the achievements of overseas Filipino workers. He invited several OFWs to Malacañang for a “Pamaskong Handog Para sa Overseas Filipino Worker Family.”

Marcos, along with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, distributed P10,000 cash assistance through the OFW Livelihood Program. Five individuals were also given Notices of Award for housing units under the “Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino” program.

The ultimate gift Marcos may have given this year, amid challenges and other issues, was securing the transfer of custody of Mary Jane Veloso, who had been detained in Indonesia for nearly 15 years for drug trafficking.

Previous administrations had appealed to the Indonesian government to spare Veloso’s life from the death penalty. Under new leadership, the ASEAN neighbor finally granted the Philippines’ request, allowing the nation to bring one of its own back home.

What once seemed like an impossible dream was made possible just in time for Christmas. The Philippines thanked the Indonesian government for what Mary Jane described as a “miracle” of being reunited with her family.

While multiple calamities have struck the country, Marcos expressed hope that Filipinos would continue to celebrate Christmas.

“My Christmas wish is that despite everything, every Filipino should feel Christmas somehow. Because after all, no matter how many typhoons they throw at us, no matter how many problems come our way, there’s nothing that will quench the Christmas spirit in the Filipino heart. In every child, man, and woman, you will not be able to remove it from the Philippines,” he said.

This Christmas, the President plans to spend some “quiet time” during the holiday break with the First Lady and catch up on his book reading. He has also set his sights on visiting Baguio City and his hometown of Ilocos Norte.