Malacañang Christmas Cheer: 19,000 Children Attend Marcos' 'Balik Sigla' Gift-Giving Event

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos hosted children from around the country in the annual “Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya 2025 Nationwide Gift-Giving” at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañang on Saturday.

The president said having the children around brought cheer to the Palace and strength to lead the nation through the challenges it is facing.

“When you children are here, when you see them smiling, everybody feels light-hearted and everybody feels anew the true spirit of Christmas. Because we see your smiles and your beautiful faces,” Marcos said.

CHRISTMAS CHEER President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their son Vinn bring cheer to children
by giving gifts under the ‘Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya’ nationwide gift-giving program at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañang on Dec. 6, 2025. Hundreds of
children from different communities enjoyed presents, treatsandheartfelt holiday greetings from the first family.PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

“That is why I am grateful that despite the challenges we face, we still have moments — especially during Christmas — when we can reflect on the hardships of life, the blessings of the past year,” he added.

The president said the children were the administration’s inspiration in serving the people.

“You truly bring us back to life. You know, for those of us working in government, whenever we see you, we remember why we work — not for ourselves, but for you,” Marcos said.

“You strengthen our resolve, you lift our spirits, and you make us work harder whenever we see you. You are the reason for everything we do. So Merry Christmas to all of you,” he added.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their son Vinn bring cheer to children by giving gifts under the ‘Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya’ nationwide gift-giving program at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacanang on Dec. 6, 2025. Hundreds of children from different communities enjoyed presents, treats, and heartfelt holiday greetings from the first family. PHOTOS BY RENE DILAN

The Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya Nationwide Gift-Giving was initiated by the Office of the President in 2022 to create meaningful Christmas experiences for Filipino children.

For this year, it features an amusement park with inflatables, games, circus acts, activity booths and food stalls. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has brought in 3,000 children from nearby barangay (villages).

Among the event’s guests was Education Secretary Sonny Angara.

”Every Filipino child has a right to feel the Christmas spirit and the hope it gives, so while we continue our programs such as feeding, tutorials and giving connectivity to the farthest school, it is important that we give them the feeling that there is a government that is helping them,” Angara said in a statement.

Simultaneously held with the Palace party were gift-giving activities for 19,000 children in 56 DSWD centers and 78 Department of Education-designated schools nationwide.

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