1.
LS MALACANANG PALACE ACROSS PASIG RIVER
3 1/2 ft

2.
LS PEOPLE RECEIVING GIFTS (FOREGROUND-STACKS OF GIFTS)
5 1/2 ft

3.
LS POLICE CONTROLLING CROWD AT PALACE GROUNDS
10 ft

4.
MLS PROMINENT LADIES DISTRIBUTING GIFTS (FOREGROUND - BOXES OF GIFTS)
13 1/2 ft

5.
MS PEOPLE QUEUING FOR GIFTS
16 1/2 ft

6.
LS GIFTS BEING DISTRIBUTED (THREE SHOTS)
26 ft

7.
LS GIFTS BEING DISTRIBUTED (THREE SHOTS)
32 ft



Initials LBJ/VS/MK/YA/RBI



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: MALACANANG PARK - THE GROUNDS OF THE OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES - WAS FILLED WITH GAIETY, LAUGHTER, AND MERRY-MAKING AS SOME FIFTY-THOUSAND CHILDREN AND GROWN-UPS WERE TREATED TO A SPECIAL GET-TOGETHER ON DECEMBER 19.

THIS FESTIVAL, WHICH IS AN ANNUAL AFFAIR EVERY CHRISTMAS-TIME, WAS SPONSORED BY THE FIRST LAY OF THE PHILIPPINES - MRS. EVANGELINE MACAPAGAL; AND THE CHILDREN WERE DRAWN FROM THE POOREST FAMILIES OF MANILA AND THE SUBURBS.

MRS. MACAPAGAL, WIVES OF RANKING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND OTHER PROMINENT LADIES RAN THE BOOTHS FORM WHICH GIFT BOXES WERE DISTRIBUTED.

MEANWHILE, PHILIPPINES WITH A PREDOMINANTLY CATHOLIC POPULATION HAS TAKEN ON ITS SEASONAL APPEARANCE. THE PEOPLE ARE RALLYING TO JOIN THE FESTIVE SPIRIT OF THE CHRISTIAN WORLDS BIGGEST CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR.