After ordering the opening of the Malacañang grounds for the public to view its Christmas display, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. made a surprise visit to some families visiting the Palace.
The families, who came from nearby cities and as far as the provinces of Cavite and Laguna, to see the Palace’s Christmas tree and lanterns were elated to see the Chief Executive stopping by to greet them.
Marcos was on his way to a get-together with officials and personnel of the Radio and Television Malacañang (RTVM) when he stopped by Kalayaan Grounds past 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21 to gamely shook hands and had his picture taken with the Malacañang visitors.
Greeting them “Merry Christmas,” the President shook hands with the visitors while they chanted his name and tried to get near him.
Ben Aguilar, a visitor from Muntinlupa City, said he did not expect to see the President in person.
“Very happy kasi open siya sa public, at iyon naman ang nakakatuwa dahil ang minimithi ng tao ang lider na abot-kamay (I am very happy because the Palace is open to the public. And it is quite amusing as the public looks up to a leader who is within reach),” he related.
The public can enter the Malacañang Palace Grounds to view the Malacañang Christmas Tree and lanterns and attend the Simbang Gabi or dawn mass until Dec. 24.
The opening of Malacañang is part of the President’s goal to make sure that Filipino children, including those residing near the area, will have a joyful and meaningful Christmas.
Marcos also invited Filipinos to attend the Simbang Gabi through a short video posted by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos on Facebook.
“Pwede kayo, dalhin nyo mga pamilya ninyo, mga bata dalhin nyo bago kayo mag Simbang Gabi dumaan muna kayo rito at syempre kakain kayo ng specialty ng Palasyo ngayon—puto bong(bum)bong (You can bring your families, being the kids here before you attend Simbang Gabi and of course, you can eat the Palace’s specialty the puto bumbong ),” she said.
Dubbed “Tara sa Palasyo,” the President ordered the opening of the Palace grounds to the public on Dec. 18 until Dec. 24, from 7 p.m. up to 6 a.m. the next day.
From the evening of Dec. 20 until 4:00 a.m. of Dec. 21, at least 2,116 individuals have already seen the Christmas displays and attended the Simbang Gabi held every 4:30 a.m. in front of the Mabini Hall.
According to the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS), some 800 people visited as Dec. 21 evening.
The free breakfast served after the mass in the Palace was also attended by around 400 to 500 people, the OPS quoted the Presidential Security Group (PSG) as saying.
Those visiting Malacañang can enter the Palace grounds through Gate 6.