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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH 'blessed' despite challenges -- PBBM

PH 'blessed' despite challenges -- PBBM

Published Dec 4, 2022 11:29 am

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. expressed the belief that the Philippines, despite the different hurdles it continues to face, remains to be blessed.

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Noel Pabalate)

Marcos said this as he led the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at Malacañang's Kalayaan grounds on Saturday, December 3.

In his speech, the President noted that Filipinos could not celebrate the typical Christmas because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He expressed elation over the Christmas Tree Lighting event, saying it brought a different feeling after a few years of restriction because of the still-ongoing health crisis.

"Dahil iba talaga ang pagdiriwang ng Pasko pag nasa Pilipinas ka (It's a different feeling when you celebrate Christmas in the Philippines)," Marcos said.

"Wala ka nang makikita na kahit saan sa buong mundo na mas masaya na tao kapag nagka-Pasko at lalong lalo na para sa mga bata (You can't find a happier person in the world during Christmas, especially since it's for the kids)," he added.

The Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony signaled the official start of the Christmas season in the country. However, he noted that, for Filipinos, it usually begins in September, a similar sentiment he expressed when he met US Vice President Kamala Harris in Malacañang last month.

Meanwhile, Marcos said the government had done everything to ensure Filipino children have a Christmas.

"I always have believed that Christmas is really for the children, and so we have made, done everything that we can to make sure that every child, every Filipino child, has a Christmas," he said.

"That is something that I think is a good goal for us this Christmas, since we have been blessed, all of us, despite all of the challenges we have faced, here we are, we have all been blessed," he added.

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