Marcos says PH deserves Christmas after ‘tough year’

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (Photo: Bongbong Marcos/Facebook)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Every Filipino deserves to celebrate and feel Christmas after a tough year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Sunday.

At the traditional Christmas tree lighting ceremony of the Office of the President (OP) at Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañang, Manila, the President called on the public to “hold a thought” for all those who are still reeling from the effects of recent typhoons.

“My Christmas wish is that despite everything, every Filipino should somehow feel Christmas. Because after all, no matter how many typhoons they throw at us, no matter how many problems are thrown at us, there’s nothing that will quench the Christmas spirit in the Filipino heart,” Marcos said.

“In very child, man, woman Filipino, hindi mo na matatanggal sa Pilipinas ‘yan (you can’t take it away from the Philippines). And rightly so, we all deserve Christmas. It’s been a tough year,” he added.

Lantern-making competition

During the program, the President also conferred awards to the winners of the National Parol-Making Competition dubbed, “Isang Bituin, Isang Mithiin,” by the OP, Office of the Social Secretary (SoSec) and Department of Education (DepEd).

This year’s competition gathered 148 Christmas lanterns created by various public secondary schools.

Pedro V. Panaligan Memorial National High School from Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro was named grand winner and brought home PHP1 million and another PHP500,000 for the school.

Panabo City National High School of Davao del Norte copped secnd place for PHP500,000 and additional P300,000.

Roxas City School for Philippine Craftsmen in Capiz earned third place and won PHP300,000 cash and another PHP200,00 for their school.

All winners will also receive non-cash prizes, including laptops.

Another event highlight was the performances by well-known artists in the country, including Jose Mari Chan and The Alice Reyes Dance Philippines.