MANILA — Malacañang on Sunday transformed its lawns into a playground for some 2,000 children from nearby orphanages and barangays for its annual gift-giving program with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family.

These children were treated to games, inflatables and food, and also received trolley bags packed with a pillow, socks, raincoat, tumbler, watch and towels.

“Naramdaman ko na ang Pasko dahil nandito na naman ang mga bata na maiingay, malilikot at makukulit at kumakanta ng Christmas carol,” the President said in his speech.

“Alam naman natin na ang Pasko ay para sa mga bata,” he said.

“Basta Pasko, mayroon kaming handa sa mga maliliit na ating inaalagaan,” he said, noting that the tradition of inviting children to Malacañang every Christmas started during the presidency of his father and namesake, Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Other gift-giving sites were opened in different parts of the Philippines to provide the same Christmas treat for 28,000 other children.

“Hindi maliit na selebrasyon ito, hindi madali na preparasyon ito,” Marcos Jr. said.

“Nahirapan tayo nitong nakaraang taon… Una ang El Niño, sinundan ng puro bagyo naman,” he said.

“Pero iba ang selebrasyon ng Pasko ng Pilipono kaya ipagpatuloy natin ang selebrasyon na yan,” he said.

The Palace is expected to open its ground to the public in mid-December for the Simbang Gabi and other Christmas activities.

VP DUTERTE: EMULATE VIRGIN MARY'S COMPASSION, EMPATHY 

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte enjoined the Filipino faithful in commemorating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

In a video statement released on Sunday, the vice president recognized the Blessed Virgin Mary’s resolute love amid difficult times.

“The enduring faith and steadfast joy exemplified by the Blessed Virgin Mary demonstrates an example of unwavering love that remains dauntless in the face of challenges and tribulations,” Duterte said.

The second-in-command called on Filipino Catholics to emulate Mary’s character.

“We are encouraged today to live up to her virtues of compassion, empathy, and generosity which underscored the resilience she exemplified in the face of loss and sorrow,” she added.

Duterte also invited the Filipino faithful to offer prayers while helping the less fortunate.

“May the solemn observance of this day invite us all to join hands in prayer as we extend a helping hand to the needy, show mercy to those who are facing injustices, and extend love and kindness to our kababayan in the underserved and unserved communities,” the vice president noted.

“Let us be guided by our resilience that is rooted in faith in every trying time as we look forward with profound hope and optimism to a better future for every Filipino,” Duterte also said.

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