President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed thousands of children to the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañang for the “Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya 2025” nationwide gift-giving program, saying their presence brought back the genuine spirit of Christmas to the Palace.
Speaking before the crowd of young participants Friday, the President said the Palace is usually a place filled with serious work and weighty decisions, but the children’s visit changed the atmosphere.
“Only now, with all of you children here, you can see everyone smiling… and everyone felt the true spirit of Christmas again because we saw your smiles,” Mr. Marcos said.
“We are thankful that despite being faced with challenges, at least we have a little time, especially at Christmas, when we remember our good fortunes in life, our blessings in the past year,” he added.
He thanked the children for bringing energy and joy to government workers, adding that seeing them reminds officials of who they serve.
“We in government… we remember that the reason we work is not for ourselves, but for you,” the President said.
He also called Filipino children the country’s “biggest treasure,” saying that despite the challenges confronting the Philippines, the holidays are a time to reflect on blessings and find strength in the nation’s youth.
Mr. Marcos, who shared lighthearted anecdotes about his own childhood Christmases, encouraged the children to enjoy the celebration.
Performances from the participants also drew laughter and applause from the President, who praised their enthusiasm.
Joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and presidential son William Vincent, Mr. Marcos welcomed over 3,000 children from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Centers and nearby villages for the Palace event.
The Kalayaan grounds were transformed into a festive play zone featuring inflatable attractions, games, circus acts, entertainment, food stalls, and a special children’s performance for the First Family.
Now in its fourth year, “Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya” has become a key annual undertaking of the Marcos administration.
Launched in 2022 after the pandemic, the gift-giving program expanded through DSWD Centers and the Department of Education in 2023-2024.
This year, simultaneous gift-giving events are being conducted in DSWD Centers nationwide, while DepEd schools are also holding their own Christmas activities, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to over 19,000 children across the country.
