Malacañang Palace ushered in the Christmas spirit as President Bongbong Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos led the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Kalayaan Grounds on Sunday, November 23.
Joined by select guests, the couple enjoyed the performance of Puso ng Pasko by Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, accompanied by the Manila Symphony Orchestra and Ryan Cayabyab Singers. The show is considered the first full-length, all-Filipino Christmas ballet celebrating the true spirit of a Filipino Christmas.
The production was directed by Alice Reyes, National Artist for Dance, with musical arrangements by Ryan Cayabyab, National Artist for Music.
The ceremony also highlighted the awarding of top three winners and three special awardees of the Isang Bituin, Isang Mithiin National Parol-Making Competition Year 4. This year, 133 entries were submitted from various TESDA Training Institutes nationwide, reflecting the vibrant tradition of crafting colorful parols as symbols of hope and celebration.
“The annual Christmas tree lighting at Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañan Palace symbolizes the warmth of Filipino Christmas and the ongoing hope for a Bagong Pilipinas, bringing Filipinos together to celebrate the holiday season,” said the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
In his speech, PBBM expressed gratitude to all who participated in the program.
“What a joy it is to be reminded that we are now in the Christmas season,” he said.
The President also lightened the mood with a joke about the workload of his Cabinet members.
“No matter how heavy the loads that we feel sometimes, and the work that we do… hindi ako ‘yan ah, ‘yong mga Cabinet secretary, may mga nararamdamang ganiyan… ako wala akong nararamdaman na gano’n, I don’t know what they are talking about when they tell me about it.”
He emphasized the importance of pausing from daily challenges to celebrate Christmas, highlighting the early decorations in the Philippines and the sacrifices of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) returning home for the holidays.
“But you know, for all of us, everyone has challenges that they have to go through, but everytime we start to hear Christmas carols in the radio, everytime we see decorations go up, and I again, like what I’ve always said, we are the only country that puts up Christmas decorations starting in September…”
PBBM encouraged taking time off to focus on family and loved ones.
“We examine our lives, I suppose, see and look back what has happened, and at the same time, it is the time to maybe, maybe put down what we are carrying and spend more time… especially us who are very busy, we sometimes neglect our family. We sometimes neglect those who we love. This is the time for us to take the time, it’s perfectly alright, that you know, take a little time off,” he said.