List of Philippine holidays for 2015

Happy new year!  Here's my annual list of Philippine holidays. It's good to start the year right by writing down your resolutions, goals for the year and even plan out your 'rest' breaks by taking a vacation. Yes, plan your holidays. Even the famous Renaissance artist, Leonardo da Vinci, recommends to take a break. He said "Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to work and your judgement will be surer. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more readily seen." 

The list of nationwide holidays was announced by the government as early as July 23, 2014 via Proclamation No. 831. I'm posting the dates today to include all recently announced holidays like for example, the five-day holiday to give way to Pope Francis' visit. 

For this year, there are five 3-day weekends and two 4-day weekends plus next week's 5-day weekend. I'm a fan of Pope Francis so I'll be sticking around next week.

Here's the regular and special holidays for 2015:

January 1 (Thu)  - New Year's Day
January 2 (Fri)  -  Additional special non-working day
January 9 (Fri) - Feast of the Black Nazarene (Manila only) 
January 15, 16 and 19 (Thu-Fri, Mon) -  Special non-working days to give way to the visit of Pope Francis

February 19 (Thu) - Chinese New Year (special non-working day)
February 25 (Wed) - EDSA Revolutionary anniversary (special holiday)

April 2 (Thu) - Maundy Thursday 
April 3 (Fri)  - Good Friday
April 4 (Sat) - Black Saturday
April 9 (Thu) - Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor)

May 1 (Fri) - Labor Day

June 12 (Fri) - Independence Day

August 21 (Fri) - Ninoy Aquino Day
August 31 (Mon) - National Heroes Day

November 1 (Sun) - All Saint's Day
November 30 (Mon) - Bonifacio Day

December 24 (Thu) - Additional special non-working day
December 25 (Fri) - Christmas Day
December 30 (Wed) - Rizal Day
December 31 (Thu) - Last Day of the year

The national holidays for the observance of Eid'l Fitr (Feast of Breaking the Fast or end of Ramadan) and Ediul Adha (Feast of Sacrifce) shall be announced after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined with the Islamic calendar (Hijira) or the lunar calendar. So far, the estimated dates are: Eid'l Fitr on July 17 (Fri) and Ediul Adha on September 23 (Wed).

It's time to plan 2014, the list of Philippine holidays is now out!

The government actually announced the list of nationwide holidays early last year. It's just now that I got to post the dates. Unfortunately this year, there is only one three-day weekend which is this January 31 to February 2 and one four-day weekend during Easter on April 17 to 20. The August 21 and 25 dates can be stretched to a five-day weekend. Other opportunities are the May 1 and June 12 dates.

Here's the regular and special holidays for 2014:

January 1 (Wed)   - New Year's Day
January 31 (Fri)  - Chinese New Year (special non-working day)

February 25 (Tue) - EDSA Revolutionary anniversary (only for schools)

April 9 (Wed) - Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor)
April 17 (Thu) - Maundy Thursday
April 18 (Fri)  - Good Friday
April 19 (Sat) - Black Saturday

May 1 (Thu) - Labor Day

June 12 (Thu) - Independence Day

August 21 (Thu) - Ninoy Aquino Day
August 25 (Mon) - National Heroes Day

November 1 (Sat) - All Saint's Day
November 30 (Sun) - Bonifacio Day

December 24 (Wed) - Additional special non-working day
December 24 (Thu) - Christmas Day
December 26 (Fri) - Additional special non-working day
December 30 (Tue) - Rizal Day
December 31 (Wed) - Last Day of the year

The national holidays for the observance of Eid'l Fitr and Ediul Adha shall be announced after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined with the Islamic calendar (Hijira) or the lunar calendar.

Happy planning and please take heed of what American author and poet Maya Angelo advised "Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Jobs, family, employers and friends can exists one day without any one of us, and if our egos permit us to confess, they could exist eternally in our absence. Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us." 

Packing tips for Myanmar

Shwedagon Pagoda in Ynagon (photo from flickr)

Oh dear oh dear... This is the first time I'm actually planning what to pack.  I'm off to Myanmar this Easter holiday with Bettina and Hilda.  We've been warned that it's scorching hot and may go as high up to 42 degrees Celsius and basically, not to expect too much [modern comfort that is].

BBC Travel reporter Carmen Roberts said in her report that Myanmar now "is back on the tourist map" after its first free-vote elections in 20 years last year. Myanmar  was considered a 'pariah state' due to its isolation from the rest of the world. The release from house arrest of  pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi somehow lifted the unofficial tourism boycott. So now, it seems that everyone is headed to Myanmar!

AFP reported  that one million foreign visitors visited Myanmar in 2012, a 30%  increase from 800,000 the year before. Compared to us, the Philippines' visitor arrivals for the same year was 4.5 million or a 9% increase from 3.9 million the previous year.

Here's a clip of the Roberts' "report in 2012 on Fast Track, Burma opens up for Tourists:

As for me,  I'm starting off my packing list with medicinal supplies because it may be difficult to get by. These are:
- malaria pills
- antihistamine (I have asthma)
- aspirin, colds tablets and anti-diarrhea
- first aid kit which includes smelling salts, iodine, band aid
- sunblock
- anti-mosquito
- hand sanitizer

traditional Burmese longyi (photo from the internet)

Since we're mostly traveling by air to various cities - specifically, to Yangon, Bagan and Helo (Lake Inle), I am definitely traveling light!  This means pack to fit one carry-on baggage.  Top of the list are clothes that will cover my entire body - no shorts, no sleeveless - mostly dresses and capri pants. In case I have to cover my legs in temples and pagodas,  the first thing I'll do as soon as I arrive in Yangon is to buy a traditional Burmese sarong called longyi.

For footwear, it's definitely flip flops! Most of the temples require removing shoes and socks anyway. In fact in Bagan, I heard we're walking barefoot all over.

We've also been warned to bring crisp 100 dollar bills in pristine condition and enough to cover the whole cost of the trip - i.e. tour guides, restaurants, airfare, entrance fees, transport, etc. There is no ATM and no credit card facilities. Most of the dollar-Kyat exchange are done in the market (USD 1 = MMK 882.50).

Also, expect no use of the mobile phone for  texts or calls and even emails because there's no roaming arrangements with the telecom providers. And the internet service may be iffy   This may actually be a good opportunity for me to take a break since I'm online 24/7.

And finally, aside from my regular travel insurance, I've signed up for travel emergency insurance with international SOS.

I'm actually quite excited to go. My fave traveling chef, Anthony Bourdain has been wanting to feature Myanmar. He said in an interview with Jen Trollo of tv.com in March 2010  "I’d like to see the government change in Burma, in Myanmar; I’d love to shoot there."  Well, the premier episode of his new show on CNN called "Parts Unknown" is in Burma! Now I'm dying to find out where he's been to eat. Alas, the show premieres on April 14. Drats!

P.S.  The name changed from Burma to Myanmar in 1989 and the former capital, Rangoon also became known as Yangon.

Philippine Holidays 2013, time to plan!!

As early as August, P-Noy has already declared via Proclamation No. 459 the regular holidays and special non-working days for the year 2013. Alas, unlike this year's seven long weekend breaks, 2013 has only four long weekends - - specifically, three 3-day weekends and one 4-day weekend. It would be great if the government can either move the Tuesday holidays (April 9 and August 21) to a Monday.

Here's the regular and special holiday for 2013:

January 1 (Tue) - New Year's Day

February 25 (Mon) - EDSA Revolution Anniversary (only for schools)

March 28 (Thu) - Maundy Thursday
March 29 (Fri) - Good Friday

April 9 (Tue) - Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valour)

May 1 (Wed) - Labor Day

June 12 (Wed) - Independence Day

August 21 (Tue) - Niony Aquino Day
August 26 (Mon) - National Heroes Day

November 1 (Fri) - All Saints Day
November 2 (Sat) - Additional special non-working day
November 30 (Sat) - Bonifacio Day

December 25 (Wed) - Christmas Day
December 30 (Mon) - Rizal Day

The national holidays for the observance of Eid'l Fitr and Ediul Adha shall be announced after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined with the Islamic calander (Hijira) or the lunar calendar.

Philippine Holidays 2012

PNoy has already declared via Proclamation No. 295 the regular holidays and special non-working days for the year 2012 which includes Chinese New Year!!  Mind you, there are four holidays that fall on a Tuesday!  Anyway, we have five 3-day weekends and two 4-day weekends.

Here's the regular and special holiday for the year 2012:

January 1 (Sun) - New Year's Day
January 23 (Mon) - Chinese New Year

February 25 (Sat) - EDSA Revolution Anniversary (only for schools)

April 5 (Thu) - Maundy Thursday
April 6 (Fri) - Good Friday
April 9 (Mon) - Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valour)

May 1 (Tue) - Labor Day

June 12 (Tue) - Independence Day

August 21 (Tue) - Ninoy Aquino Day
August 27 (Mon) - National Heroes Day

November 1 (Thu) - All Saints Day
November 2 (Fri) - Additional special non-working day
November 30 (Fri) - Bonifacio Day

December 25 (Tue) - Christmas Day
December 30 (Sun) - Rizal Day
December 31 (Mon) - Last day of the Year

Philippine Holidays 2011 - - goodbye to long weekends

Say goodbye to holiday economics of P-Noy's predecessor PGMA who made it a policy to move holiday observances except those which are religious, to a weekend Friday or Monday, if it falls on a weekday. 

I am one of those who agree with Mrs. Arroyo's holiday economics  policy. She ratified RepublicAct 9492 in 2007 "to reduce disruption to business and production schedules, encourage domestic tourism and give employees long weekends."  Robert Lim Joseph, chairman emeritus of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (Naitas) recognized the strong relationship between tourism and economic growth. He said last year that "domestic tourism offers the biggest hope for the country to keep not just the industry but the economy alive.” 

Alas, Proclamation No. 84 was signed yesterday, December 20, 2010. Most of the dates fall on a weekend, specifically eight weekends. Here's the the regular and special holiday for the year 2011:

January 1 (Sat) - New Year's Day

February 25 (Fri) - EDSA Revolution Anniversary (note: holiday only for all schools)

April 9 (Sat) - Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valour)
April 21 - (Thu) -  Maundy Thursday
April 22 (Fri) - Good Friday

May 1 (Sun) - Labor Day

June 12 (Sun) - Independence Day

August 21 (Sun) - Ninoy Aquino Day
August 29 (Mon) - National Heroes Day
November 1 (Tue) - All Saints Day
November 30 (Wed) - Bonifacio Day
December 25 (Sun) - Christmas Day
December 30 (Fri) - Rizal Day
December 31 - (Sat) - Last day of the Year

For the observance of Islamic Holidays' Eid'l Fitr (to observe the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting) and Eid al-Adha (or the Feast of Sacrifice which occurs at the conlucsion of the annual Haij or pilgrimage to Mecca), Section 2 of the Proclamation states that [it] "shall heareafter be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient. To this end, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) shall inform the Office of the President on which day the holiday shall fall."

No need to wait for NCMF's advise.  Thanks to google, I found the dates! The dates specified in the year  of  Hijra for Eid al-Fitr is on August 30, 2011 (Tue) and for Eid al-Adha, November 6, 2011 (Sunday).