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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider You are the reason for everything we do, PBBM tells kids

You are the reason for everything we do, PBBM tells kids

Published Dec 6, 2025 03:46 pm
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., together with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their son Vincent, spearhead the First Family’s initiative to spread holiday cheer as they personally handed out gifts during the Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya nationwide gift-giving program at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañan on Dec. 6, 2025. The festive event brought together hundreds of children from various communities, who received gifts, snacks, and warm Christmas messages from the President and his family. (Mark Balmores)
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., together with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their son Vincent, spearhead the First Family’s initiative to spread holiday cheer as they personally handed out gifts during the Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya nationwide gift-giving program at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañan on Dec. 6, 2025. The festive event brought together hundreds of children from various communities, who received gifts, snacks, and warm Christmas messages from the President and his family. (Mark Balmores)
“The biggest treasure that we have here in the Philippines are these, our children, the future of our country."
This was President Marcos’ remark as he and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos hosted the traditional gift-giving at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañan on Saturday, Dec 6.
In welcoming the children to the Balik Sigla, Bigay Saya 2025 Nationwide Gift-Giving, the President said having the children around brings cheer to the Palace and provides strength to surpass the challenges faced by the nation.
“Kahit na mabigat ang hinaharap natin… kailangan maalala ang mga biyaya natin sa nakaraang taon (Even if we face heavy challenges, we must still remember our blessings from the past year),” he said.
“At ang pinakamalaking biyaya, the biggest treasure that we have here in the Philippines are these, our children, the future of our country,” he added.
Marcos said the children are the reason why the administration strives to serve the people and improve the country.
“Kaming mga nagtatrabaho sa pamahalaan, kapag kami nakikita namin kayo, naaalala namin kaya kami nagtatrabaho, hindi para sa sarili namin, kung hindi para sa inyo (Those of us in government, when we see you, we remember that we work not for ourselves but for you),” he said.
“Kaya tumitibay ang loob namin… kayo ang dahilan sa lahat ng aming ginagawa (You strengthen our spirit… you are the reason for everything we do),” he added.
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.
Now in its fourth year, the celebration once again transformed Malacañan’s Kalayaan grounds into an amusement park with inflatables, games, circus acts, activity booths, and food stalls for 3,000 children from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Centers and nearby barangays.
Simultaneous gift-giving activities were conducted in 56 DSWD Centers and 78 Department of Education (DepEd) schools nationwide for 19,000 children.

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President Marcos Bongbong Marcos CHRISTMAS
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