Manila: Malacañang on Tuesday advised government agencies and offices to avoid holding grand or lavish Christmas parties to show solidarity with those affected by the successive typhoons that ravaged parts of the country in less than a month. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stated this is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.'s call to exemplify the spirit of Christmas by helping those affected by the calamities. According to Philippines News Agency, Bersamin emphasized the importance of empathy and solidarity with the millions of Filipinos who continue to grieve over lives, homes, and livelihoods lost during the six typhoons that pummeled the country since October 21. Majority of Luzon and parts of the Visayas are still reeling from the aftermath of the torrential rains and typhoon-force winds. Bersamin reassured that an official guidance in writing is unnecessary, as there is trust in the kindness and discretion of government workers to adopt austerity measures in their celebrations. Instead, he urged government agencies to donate their savings from scaled-down celebrations to support calamity-hit communities. He further emphasized that the true spirit of Christmas encourages celebration with compassion, sharing of blessings, and spreading of cheer. Bersamin assured affected Filipinos that the "Christmas spirit will be felt early" through the government's ongoing relief and recovery efforts, stating that the holiday celebrations will continue alongside those who have been devastated by the series of calamities.