Filipinos should support local businesses, particularly during the holiday season, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos said on Wednesday.

During a visit in Makati City, Mrs. Marcos underlined the value of Filipino talent based on the products showcased in “The Designers Holiday Bazaar.”

The event was filled with creativity, craftsmanship, and the unmistakable brilliance of Filipino talent, she noted.

For the First Lady, each piece that buyers take home “doesn’t just add beauty to life” but uplifts designers and supports the amazing programs of Ayala Foundation and the STEPS Scholarship Foundation.

“Let’s go local this Christmas. Let’s celebrate the hands, stories, and dreams behind every proudly Filipino creation,” she said.

“Proudly Filipino. Proudly ours,” she added.

Balikbayans, new heroes

Meanwhile, at a separate event in Pasay City, Mrs. Marcos welcomed overseas Filipino workers to the Go Negosyo Balikbayan Summit 2025.

Through this program, OFWs are encouraged to invest in themselves and secure their families’ future by using their hard-earned money to establish businesses.

“These unsung heroes invest their talents to help empower families, uplift communities, and create new opportunities here at home,” she pointed out.

She emphasized that the knowledge they gained from working overseas fuels local progress.

“Mabuhay ang ating mga balikbayan,” she said.