PINANGUNAHAN nina Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos ang pagpapa-ilaw sa Christmas tree ng Malacañang noong Sabado na hudyat ng pagbubukas ng Yuletide season sa Palasyo.

Dumalo sa pagtitipon ang mga bisita, opisyal ay kawani ng gobyerno, at mga bata na ginanap sa Malacañang Compound upang ipakita na ang Pasko ang panahon ng pagmumuni-muni at pagbibigay ng oras sa piling ng pamilya, kaibigan, at iba pang mahal na buhay.

“Christmas in the Philippines — we have gained the reputation around the world for celebrating Christmas with more fervor than most other countries. And I think that is a good thing because I think all of us Filipinos, we take Christmas as a time for reflection and a time for — to spend with your friends, your family, your loved ones and, of course, to watch the children because as far as I’m concerned, Christmas is really for the children,” sabi ni Pangulong Marcos.

“And so, we watch the children and it brings us — the innocence that they bring to these festivities really… The expression I’m tempted to use is it blows out the cobwebs in your brain and in your heart and gives you a fresh start for the next year,” sabi pa ng Pangulo.

“So, I’m very, very happy to welcome you all here and to get the Christmas – the formal. Kasi Pilipinas, September pa lang may Christmas carol na sa radyo. But with the formal start of the Yuletide season and I suppose what is left now is for me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas,” dagdag pa nito.

Pinangunahan din ng First Couple ang awarding ceremony para sa “Isang Bituin, Isang Mithiin” nationwide parol-making contest na nilahukan ng iba’t ibang state colleges and universities.

Ang Batangas State University ang nag-uwi ng PhP1 milyong grand prize na sinundan ng University of Northern Philippines (PhP500,000) at Bohol Island State University (PhP250,000).

Nakatanggap din ang mga ito ng laptop at mobile phone showcase bukod pa sa photo and video editing package na mapupunta sa paaralan.

Ang nanalo naman ng special “online voting” award ay ang Polytechnic University of the Philippines matapos makakuha ng pinakamaraming heart reaction sa Facebook at nanalo ng PhP100,000 cash prize.