A quiet Christmas for Arroyos at Malacañang

Like most Filipinos, President Arroyo quietly spent the Christmas holidays with her family in Malacañang and like a godmother, gave P500 each to Palace maintenance and security personnel who were on duty.

Mrs. Arroyo did not have any official engagements since Saturday, but was scheduled to go to St. Bernard in Leyte to visit the mudslide victims today before proceeding to Cebu to inaugurate a project.

The Chief Executive also delivered an early Christmas message last week, calling on Filipinos to help typhoon victims.

Yesterday, she went out of the Palace and waved at the staff who were at work, even if it was Christmas, and asked them to come to her.

Some of them thought she would just give instructions but they were surprised when she handed them red envelopes, or ang pao, instead.

The recipients said the envelope contained P500 and the personnel, including members of the Presidential Guards, were made to queue to get their gift from the President.

Wearing a red outfit, Mrs. Arroyo first went to the guest house area inside the Palace grounds and then to the side lobby to distribute the money.

She was accompanied by some members of her family, including her daughter, Evangeline Lourdes or Luli.

On Dec. 24 last year, Mrs. Arroyo and First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo played Santa Claus to the residents in the barangays inside the Malacañang complex by distributing goods to them. This year, however, the food items were given to the barangay residents early on.

The President normally spends Christmas in Manila and then New Year in Baguio City. She is expected to stay in the Mansion House in the summer capital from Dec. 27 until Jan. 1.

When in Baguio City, Mrs. Arroyo invites Cabinet officials and some journalists to join her and her family at the Mansion House. She also visits nearby tourist spots like the Banaue Rice Terraces and Sagada.

Last year, she also tried surfing in a beach in San Juan town, La Union province with her husband, daughter and daughters-in-law.