‘PUSO NG PASKO’. The Alice Reyes Dance Philippines performs “Puso ng Pasko” before nearly a thousand students at the Malacañang Grounds in Manila on Sunday (Dec. 1, 2024). Puso ng Pasko is an all-Filipino full length Christmas ballet performance featuring music by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab and National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes. (PNA photo by Darryl John Esguerra)

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang opened its gates on Sunday morning to nearly a thousand students from Luzon, greeting them with music and performances as the holiday season takes root across the country.

The morning festivity at the Kalayaan Grounds of the presidential palace in Manila was highlighted by the “Puso ng Pasko,” an all-Filipino full-length Christmas ballet performance featuring music and performances by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab and National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes.

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Set to the evocative sounds of Cayabyab’s composition, the dancers weaved stories of holiday cheer to remind the youth of the deeper values of Filipino culture, community, and the spirit of Christmas.

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From the joyful Simbang Gabi (Dawn Mass) to the touching Noche Buena (Christmas Eve feast) scenes, the performance captured the collective experience of a Filipino Christmas and encapsulated the essence of true friendship.

“My experience here is really, really good. I really liked it because my sister also dances. I felt the spirit of Christmas through the dance na napanood ko ngayon (that I’ve just witnessed),” Shee Anne of Pasay City North High School said after the performance.

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For Alina of San Juan National High School, the performance also evoked the true spirit of friendship.

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“I showed here how our country celebrates Christmas. As culture is showcased while experiencing Christmas, the performance also showed the celebration of friendship,” she said in Filipino.

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Alongside the main event, food stalls lined the Kalayaan Grounds, offering free snacks and treats to the attendees.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Marcos will lead the traditional lighting of the Malacañang Christmas tree on Sunday evening.

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