Over 17,000 Children Receive Early Christmas Gifts from First Couple

Manila – In Manila, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos spread holiday cheer to over 17,000 children from various shelters and orphan care centers across the Philippines during a series of gift-giving events on Sunday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the First Couple hosted more than 1,000 children at the Malacañang grounds for the ‘Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya’ day. Concurrently, in over 250 locations nationwide, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) coordinated the gift distribution, supported by private groups affiliated with President Marcos, including Jollibee and San Miguel Corporation.

The gift distribution reached children in several regions, with 1,120 in the National Capital Region (NCR), 449 in Cebu, 600 in Davao, and an additional 14,867 in other satellite centers throughout the country. During the event, President Marcos reminisced about his own childhood Christmases at the Presidential Palace. He highlighted the importance of the occasion, especially for children, and expressed gratitude to the guardians and parents, emphasizing their role in shaping the nation’s future.