Distinguished guests:

Tonight’s affair is something my family and I will always remember: it is part of our first Christmas in Malacañang.

I cannot help but note how you have adorned this hall. It takes talent to use local materials to evoke the joys of Christmas. And it is obvious that what we can do with what we have, is world class!

There is a subtle message here somewhere. We should make it a habit to buy or use Filipino products whenever possible. When collectively done, this will go a long way not only in stimulating the local economy but also in riveting attention to the creativity of the Filipino.

We have, for example, a year-round theme park in San Fernando, Pampanga called “Paskuhan Village”. They market Christmas decor and other Philippine-made products all year round. You must visit it sometime if you still have not done so.

Tonight, let us set aside for a while our economic, political or social concerns and dwell on the “intangibles” of our lives: family togetherness; warmth, tenderness and compassion; and giving and receiving.

You might presume that the military lifestyle that had characterized our family life might have immuned us to these intangibles. On the contrary, it is these values of sharing, togetherness and unity — dominant values that they are in the military — that saw us through life’s ups and downs.

Christmas is a time for family and people in general to get together — to reaffirm bonds, renew acquaintances, update each other of latest developments.

Christmas is not only a time for celebration. Christmas is also a time for reflection, on what we have been, what we are, and what we are making of our future.

Christmas is also a time of giving, not necessarily of material things, but of oneself, particularly for someone in need.

I hope you will all remember this spirit of Christmas; that there are many among us, those who have been victims of Pinatubo in particular, who may not find reason to celebrate the joys of the season. If we can share our blessings in any way with the less fortunate, we impart to them the care for our fellowmen which he whose birth we are about to celebrate came in our midst for.

In behalf of my family and immediate household staff, I would like to thank the Katutubong Filipino Foundation and the Malacañang Heritage Foundation for having us as guests in this benefit affair.

May the peace and goodwill that Christmas heralds reign in each and everyone of us, and throughout our beloved country.

Thank you and good evening!!!