President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday said it was nice to have kids in Malacañang as the government officially began the holiday season.
The Chief Executive and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos gave gifts to more than 17,000 kids from shelters and orphanages at the Palace grounds.
"We are just so happy. This is for me — this really embodies the Christmas spirit. When we're surrounded by kids who are rowdy, noisy, and playful — but happy, that's what matters," Marcos said.
He said the event allowed him to do something fun and make kids happy after a long day of work.
"The children are here, and for just a few days, we give them a very good feeling that we think of all of them and take care of them," Marcos said.
Marcos also recalled his fondest Christmas memories during childhood, when his father — the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. — was still the Chief Executive.
He said his father does the same gift-giving activity before every Christmas season. However, Marcos noted that the gift-giving activity now uses new technology.
"Nowadays, of course, we're high-tech. It's not just here in the Palace where we have Merry Christmas and Gift-Giving, but in various places across the Philippines so that all our youth can feel the Christmas spirit," he added.
"And we all know — Christmas is really about the children. We always have a Merry Christmas when the children have a good Christmas. When we see your smiles, when you, too, say 'Merry Christmas,' it becomes meaningful," he said.
Marcos thanked the Department of Social Welfare and Development for looking after the kids who came to the Kalayaan Grounds for the event.
He also expressed gratitude to the guardians and parents of the children for joining the event, acknowledging their wholehearted care, and emphasizing that they represent the most cherished sector as they embody the nation's future.
The "Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya" program is run by the Office of the President and the Office of the DSWD Secretary.
According to Malacañang, the government gave gifts to 17,268 children from specific shelters and orphan care centers nationwide.
The DSWD and the President's private support groups, such as Jollibee and San Miguel Corporation, simultaneously held the event in more than 250 places.