Kalayaan Grounds, Malacañang
29 November 2012

To signal the beginning of the Christmas season, President Benigno S. Aquino III led the ceremonial switch-on of the Office of the President Christmas Tree at the Kalayaan Grounds in Malacañang.

In his message, the President said that the birth of Jesus Christ is to remind everyone the importance of humility and strong faith.

“Ito po ang diwang gumagabay at nagbibigay inspirasyon sa ating mabuting pamamahala. Narito ang ating gobyerno upang paglingkuran ang nangangailangan at hindi para maghari-harian,” he said.

According to the President, he will also be forever thankful to the OP employees, whom he treats as his family, for their hard work and dedication.

“Kayo po ang frontliners sa pagtataguyod ng pagbabago, at nagbubunsod ng pag-asa at higit na pagkakataon para sa mas nakakarami,” he stated.

President Aquino reminded the OP workers that each one has their own responsibilities to extend help to those who need it most.

“Narito tayo para maglingkod; hindi para makasilaw at manlamang. Gaano man kaliit, basta tama ang ating ginagawa, ay magdudulot ng dambuhalang ambag sa ating pag-unlad,” he remarked.

The 43-feet Christmas tree is built out of recycled metal frames and 2,500 Christmas lanterns or “parols.” It has unique light patterns inside which are formed by yellow, red, blue, green, white, pink and sky blue LED lights. 

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