MANILA – The historic Malacañang Palace saw an unprecedented number of visitors during the ‘2024 Tara sa Palasyo’ Christmas celebration. Palace Deputy Social Secretary Dina Tantoco announced that approximately 3,000 individuals visited the presidential residence nightly since its doors opened on December 16, marking a significant increase from the previous year’s attendance.
The event, which ran from December 16 to 23, welcomed the public from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and featured a variety of family-oriented activities. These included the traditional Simbang Gabi, a spectacular Christmas display, carnival rides, live music, and a selection of Filipino delicacies. The festivities provided a unique opportunity for Filipinos to explore the iconic grounds, a longstanding symbol of political power and history.
Introduced following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s inauguration in 2022, the annual event aims to make Malacañang more accessible to the public and celebrate Filipino culture and family values during the holiday season. This year’s celebration was enhanced with more carnival rides and performances by local choirs, making it particularly memorable.
Tantoco highlighted that the event continues a tradition started by President Marcos Jr.’s parents, emphasizing the importance of community and family during Christmas. The addition of carnival rides was specifically intended to ensure children could fully enjoy the holiday spirit.