Marcos urges Filipinos to reach out to those in need this Christmas

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday urged Filipinos to extend help to those facing hardships this Christmas. 

Marcos said the "true meaning" of Christmas is reaching out to "those who are suffering from solitude, sickness and poverty." 

"Indeed, there is no better way for us to share the gift of Christmas than by spreading hope to those who need it the most this holiday season," Marcos said in a message released on Christmas Eve. 

"Let us kindle our hearts with goodwill, kindness, and compassion as we spread merriment in our home and communities," he added. 

A survey released by pollster Social Weather Stations Saturday suggested that 73% of adult Filipinos expected a happy Christmas. Only six percent projected a sad holiday season, while 21% expected it to be neither happy nor sad. 

The percentage of those expecting a merry Christmas was the same as in 2022 and six points below the pre-pandemic level of 79% in 2019. 

The survey also showed that 51% of Filipinos were most thankful for good health, 21% for family and 16% for being alive.