First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos expressed her gratitude to the public who visited Malacañang over the past nine days to join the Simbang Gabi (dawn masses) and enjoy the festivities of this year’s “Tara sa Palasyo.”

“It’s such a joy to see the smiles on children’s faces as we opened Malacañang to the public for Simbang Gabi,” she said.

“Tara sa Palasyo” kicked off on 16 December, with the Simbang Gabi as the highlight. The Palace grounds also featured other Christmas attractions.

Children enjoyed a train ride around the Palace, carnival rides, and the chance to win toys in claw machines.

Visitors savored traditional Christmas treats like puto bumbong and bibingka, paired with hot chocolate and coffee on a chilly, breezy night. Each evening was filled with festive cheer as choirs serenaded them with holiday songs.

One visitor remarked that it was a rare opportunity to see the Palace open to the public, particularly during the holiday season.

“You don’t usually see Malacañang like this, having rides like in a circus or with food [stalls] like that, and you don’t often see Malacañang open to the public,” Anaiah Amazona said.

She added that she felt the public was welcome contrary to the perception that Malacañang was closed or secluded.

“It seems like they’re not snobby or something and that they care about the people,” she said.

For Palace Deputy Social Secretary Dina Tantoco, the “Tara sa Palasyo” was even more special this year with the addition of performing choirs which was not part of last year’s iteration.

She said that welcoming the public, especially children, to the Palace was the idea of the First Couple as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remembered from his childhood that his father used to do the same.

“He wants to continue this tradition because Christmas is for family, especially for children. That’s why there are carnival rides — so the kids can truly enjoy the holiday,” she said.

Over 26,000 individuals came to Malacañang for “Tara sa Palasyo,” with an average of 3,000 visitors per night, a number that grew each evening.

Tantoco said Marcos aims to make the “Tara sa Palasyo” an annual tradition at Malacañang.