Public holidays in the Philippines
Encyclopedia
Regular and Special Holidays
| Celebration Date | English Name | Filipino Name | Official Status | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | January 1 | New Year's Day New Year's Day New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome... |
Araw ng Bagong Taon | Regular Holiday | Celebrates the first day of the year in Gregorian calendar. It celebrated by doing firecrackers and noisemaking. |
| Thursday before Easter | Varies | Maundy Thursday Maundy Thursday Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great & Holy Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries, is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels... |
Huwebes Santo | Regular Holiday, Movable date | As part of Mahál na Araw Holy Week in the Philippines Holy Week is a significant religious festival in the Philippines. In this predominantly Roman Catholic country, Holy Week is known as both Semana Santa or by the Filipino name Mahál na Araw Holy Week is a significant religious festival in the Philippines. In this predominantly Roman Catholic... (Spanish:Semana Santa, English: Holy Week), Maundy Thursday Maundy Thursday Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great & Holy Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries, is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels... and Good Friday Good Friday Good Friday , is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of... are considered as regular holidays. There are certain times that Black Saturday Black Saturday Black Saturday may refer to:* Holy Saturday* Black Saturday , the busiest day of the year when many people go on holiday* Black Saturday bushfires , when a series of bushfires burnt across the Australian state of Victoria... and Easter Sunday are made special non-working days for a prolonged weekend. Along with Undás, and the Christmas holidays, this is when many Filipinos will try to return to their home provinces. Maundy Thursday Maundy Thursday Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great & Holy Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries, is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels... - commemorates the Last Supper Last Supper The Last Supper is the final meal that, according to Christian belief, Jesus shared with his Twelve Apostles in Jerusalem before his crucifixion. The Last Supper provides the scriptural basis for the Eucharist, also known as "communion" or "the Lord's Supper".The First Epistle to the Corinthians is... of Jesus Christ with the Apostles. Good Friday Good Friday Good Friday , is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of... - commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. |
| Friday before Easter | Varies | Good Friday Good Friday Good Friday , is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of... |
Biyernes Santo | Regular Holiday, Movable date | |
| April 9 | Monday nearest April 9 | Bataan Bataan Bataan is a province of the Philippines occupying the whole of the Bataan Peninsula on Luzon. The province is part of the Central Luzon region. The capital of Bataan is Balanga City and it is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north... and Corregidor Corregidor Corregidor Island, locally called Isla ng Corregidor, is a lofty island located at the entrance of Manila Bay in southwestern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Due to this location, Corregidor was fortified with several coastal artillery and ammunition magazines to defend the entrance of... Day ("Day of Valour") |
Araw ng Kagitingan | Regular Holiday | Commemorates the courage of the Filipino and American soldiers who surrendered to Japanese forces who occupied the Philippines during World War II. It used to refer to the Fall of Bataan Battle of Bataan The Battle of Bataan represented the most intense phase of Imperial Japan's invasion of the Philippines during World War II. The capture of the Philippine Islands was crucial to Japan's effort to control the Southwest Pacific, seize the resource-rich Dutch East Indies, and protect its Southeast... as it happened on this day but it now also includes the Fall of Corregidor Battle of Corregidor The Battle for Corregidor was the culmination of the Japanese campaign for the conquest of the Philippines. The fall of Bataan on 9 April 1942 ended all organized opposition by the U.S... . In 2009, Araw ng Kagitingan fell on Maundy/Holy Thursday so it was moved to April 6. |
| May 1 | Monday nearest May 1 | Labour Day Labour Day Labour Day or Labor Day is an annual holiday to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for... |
Araw ng mga Manggagawà | Regular Holiday | Celebrates economic and social achievements of workers. The first Labour Day celebrations were held in the Philippines on 1 May 1903 in a mammoth rally in front of Malacañang Palace Malacañang Palace The Malacañan Palace, commonly known simply as Malacañang, is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the Philippines. Located at 1000 J. P. Laurel Street, San Miguel, Manila, the house was built in 1750 in Spanish Colonial style. It has been the residence of every... staged by the Unión Obrera Democrática (Democratic Laborer's Union), while pressing for workers’ economic rights. |
| June 12 | Monday nearest June 12 | Independence Day Independence Day (Philippines) In the Philippines, Independence Day is an annual national holiday observed on June 12, commemorating the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. It is the National Day of the Philippines.... |
Araw ng Kalayaan | Regular Holiday | Celebrates the Philippine Declaration of Independence Philippine Declaration of Independence The Philippine Declaration of Independence occurred on June 12, 1898 in Cavite II el Viejo , Cavite, Philippines. With the public reading of the Act of the Declaration of Independence, Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the... by Emilio Aguinaldo Emilio Aguinaldo Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy was a Filipino general, politician, and independence leader. He played an instrumental role during the Philippines' revolution against Spain, and the subsequent Philippine-American War or War of Philippine Independence that resisted American occupation... on 12 June 1898. The Philippines achieved full independence from the United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... with the signing of a Treaty of General Relations Treaty of Manila (1946) The Treaty of Manila is a treaty of general relations signed on July 4, 1946 in Manila, capital of the Philippines. Parties to the treaty were the governments of the United States and the Republic of the Philippines... between the two governments on 4 July, 1946, and Independence Day was celebrated on this day until 1961. On 12 May 1962, President President of the Philippines The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines... Diosdado Macapagal Diosdado Macapagal Diosdado Pangan Macapagal was the ninth President of the Philippines, serving from 1961 to 1965, and the sixth Vice President, serving from 1957 to 1961. He also served as a member of the House of Representatives, and headed the Constitutional Convention of 1970... issued Presidential Proclamation No. 28 which declared Tuesday, 12 June 1962 as special public holiday throughout the Philippines, "... in commemoration of our people's declaration of their inherent and inalienable right to freedom and independence," and on 4 August 1964, Republic Act No. 4166 renaming the July 4 holiday as "Philippine Republic Day" and proclaiming June 12 as the Philippine Independence Day. |
| Monday nearest August 21 | Ninoy Aquino Benigno Aquino, Jr. Benigno Simeon "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. was a Filipino Senator and a former Governor of Tarlac. Aquino, together with Gerry Roxas and Jovito Salonga, formed the leadership of the opposition to the Marcos regime in the years leading to the imposition of martial law in the Philippines... Day |
Araw ng Kabayanihan ni Ninoy Aquino | Special Holiday | Commemorates the assassination of former senator Senate of the Philippines The Senate of the Philippines is the upper chamber of the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, the Congress of the Philippines... Benigno S. "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. in 1983. After three years of exile in the United States, Aquino was shot as he disembarked a China Airlines China Airlines China Airlines is both the flag carrier and the largest airline of Republic of China . Although not directly state-owned, the airline is owned by China Airlines Group, which is owned by the China Aviation Development Foundation... flight at the Manila International Airport which now bears his name. It was created by virtue of Republic Act No. 9256 on 25 February 2004 on the 18th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution. The celebration date was changed to the Monday nearest August 21 by 9492. |
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| Last Monday of August | Last Monday of August | National Heroes' Day | Araw ng mga Bayani | Regular Holiday | Commemorates all the nation's heroes throughout history. It is a regular holiday marking the 1896 Cry of Pugad Lawin by the Katipunan Katipunan The Katipunan was a Philippine revolutionary society founded by anti-Spanish Filipinos in Manila in 1892, whose primary aim was to gain independence from Spain through revolution. The society was initiated by Filipino patriots Andrés Bonifacio, Teodoro Plata, Ladislao Diwa, and others on the night... , led by its Supremo Andrés Bonifacio Andres Bonifacio Andrés Bonifacio y de Castro was a Filipino nationalist and revolutionary. He was a founder and later Supremo of the Katipunan movement which sought the independence of the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule and started the Philippine Revolution... , which began the Philippine Revolution Philippine Revolution The Philippine Revolution , called the "Tagalog War" by the Spanish, was an armed military conflict between the people of the Philippines and the Spanish colonial authorities which resulted in the secession of the Philippine Islands from the Spanish Empire.The Philippine Revolution began in August... . |
| November 1 | November 1 | All Saints Day | Araw ng mga Patáy | Special Holiday | Also known as Todos los Santos and Undás, it commemorates the dead. Families return to their respective provinces Provinces of the Philippines The Provinces of the Philippines are the primary political and administrative divisions of the Philippines. There are 80 provinces at present, further subdivided into component cities and municipalities. The National Capital Region, as well as independent cities, are autonomous from any provincial... to clean and repair family tombs and to pay their respects. This day was formerly a regular holiday but was converted into a non-working holiday through an Executive Order issued by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga... . |
| Varies | Varies | Eidul Fitr (Arabic Arabic language Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book... transliteration: Eid al-Fitr) |
Wakas ng Ramadan | Regular Holiday, movable date | Celebrates the end of the fasting month of Ramadan Ramadan Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and... ; also the first day of the month Shawwal Shawwal Shawwāl is the tenth month of the lunar Islamic calendar. Shawwāl means to ‘lift or carry’; so named because she-camels normally would be carrying a fetus at this time of year.-Fasting during Shawwāl:... in Islamic calendar Islamic calendar The Hijri calendar , also known as the Muslim calendar or Islamic calendar , is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days. It is used to date events in many Muslim countries , and used by Muslims everywhere to determine the proper day on which to celebrate Islamic... . It was created by virtue of Republic Act No. 9177 and signed on 13 November 2002. The law was enacted in deference to the Filipino Muslim Islam in the Philippines Islam is the oldest recorded monotheistic religion in the Philippines. Islam reached the Philippines between the 12th and 14th century with the arrival of Muslim traders from Persian Gulf and the Malabar Coast in Southern India, and their followers from several sultanate governments in the Malay... community and to promote peace among the major religions in the Philippines Religion in the Philippines Religion in the Philippines are spiritual beliefs held by Philippine citizens. Religion holds a central place in the life of the majority of Filipinos, including Hindus, Buddhists, animists, Muslims, Aglipayans,Protestant and Catholic... . |
| November 30 | Monday nearest November 30 | Bonifacio Andres Bonifacio Andrés Bonifacio y de Castro was a Filipino nationalist and revolutionary. He was a founder and later Supremo of the Katipunan movement which sought the independence of the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule and started the Philippine Revolution... Day |
Kaarawan ni Bonifacio | Regular Holiday | Commemorates the birth of national hero Andrés Bonifacio Andres Bonifacio Andrés Bonifacio y de Castro was a Filipino nationalist and revolutionary. He was a founder and later Supremo of the Katipunan movement which sought the independence of the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule and started the Philippine Revolution... on November 30, 1863. Bonifacio is remembered on his birthday, rather than the date of his death, 10 May 1897, for historical reasons. Unlike Rizal and other heroes who died at the hands of foreigners, Bonifacio was executed by the government. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo ordered his execution, as he was considered an enemy of the state after the events at the Tejeros Convention Tejeros Convention The Tejeros Convention was the meeting held between the Magdiwang and Magdalo factions of the Katipunan at San Francisco de Malabon, Cavite on March 22, 1897... . Often conflated with National Heroes' Day. |
| December 25 | December 25 | Christmas Day | Araw ng Pasko | Regular Holiday | Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. As the majority of Filipinos are Christian Christianity in the Philippines The Philippines is one of two predominantly Roman Catholic nations in Asia, the other being East Timor. About 93% of the population is Christian, about 5% are Muslim and about 2% are other or none.-History:... s, Christmas is one of the longest in the world, stretching from as early as September until the last week of January. Along with Holy Week, it is one of the most important holidays of the year, and most Filipinos go home on this occasion. |
| December 30 | Monday nearest December 30 | Rizal Day Rizal Day Rizal Day is a Philippine national holiday commemorating the life and works of José Rizal, one of the Philippines' national heroes. It is celebrated every December 30, the day of Rizal's execution at Bagumbayan, now known as Rizal Park, in 1896.-History:... |
Araw ng Kabayanihan ni Dr. José Rizal | Regular Holiday | Commemorates the execution of national hero José Rizal José Rizal José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by... by Spanish colonial authorities on 30 December 1896. |
| December 31 | December 31 | Last Day of the Year/New Year's Eve New Year's Eve New Year's Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year's Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the... |
Huling Araw ng Taón/Bisperás ng Bagong Taón | Special Holiday | Celebrates the New Year. Originally a filler holiday between Rizal Day and New Year's Day. Filipinos also try to return to home provinces and spend the evening lighting firecrackers and feasting, while many also spend the night reflecting on the past year and praying. |
Other Holidays
- Constitution Day - A non-working holiday on February 2, 2002, in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the approval of the 1987 Philippine constitution.
- EDSA Revolution Anniversary - Observed in first Monday before/in February 25. It's been a special non-working holiday in recent years but hasn't been made for regular yearly basis. It also been declared as a special holiday for only schools, either private and public in 2010 and recently in 2011.
- Vesak Day - Marks three important events in the life Gautama BuddhaGautama BuddhaSiddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
: His birth in 583 B.C., His EnlightenmentEnlightenment (spiritual)Enlightenment in a secular context often means the "full comprehension of a situation", but in spiritual terms the word alludes to a spiritual revelation or deep insight into the meaning and purpose of all things, communication with or understanding of the mind of God, profound spiritual...
, and His entering into ParinirvanaParinirvanaIn Buddhism, parinirvana is the final nirvana, which occurs upon the death of the body of someone who has attained complete awakening...
(the passing away of His physical body). President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on March 29, 2001, through the initiative of the Universal Wisdom Foundation, signed Proclamation No. 24 declaring the full moon day of May every year as VesakVesakVesākha is a holiday observed traditionally by Buddhists in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the South East Asian countries of Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, and Indonesia...
Day in the Philippines.
- Black Saturday & Easter Sunday - Like, EDSA Revolution Anniversary, these days are sometimes considered as special non-working holidays by the President. These holidays are in movable dates.
- Jose Rizal Birth Anniversary - Declared on June 19, 1961 by President Carlos P. GarcíaCarlos P. GarciaCarlos Polistico García was a Filipino teacher, poet, orator, lawyer, public official, political economist and guerrilla leader...
in commemoration of the 100th birth anniversary of José RizalJosé RizalJosé Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...
. It was again declared as an special non-working holiday in June 20, 2011 (Monday) by President Benigno Aquino IIIBenigno Aquino IIIBenigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III , also known as Noynoy Aquino or PNoy, is a Filipino politician who has been the 15th and current President of the Philippines since June 2010....
for Rizal's 150th birth anniversary requested by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines..
- Iglesia Ni Cristo Day - In keeping with Republic Act No. 9645, signed into law on June 12, 2009, July 27 was designated as a special national working holiday starting from 2009 and every year thereafter in recognition of the founding anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) in the Philippines. It is the biggest indigenous Christian church in the Philippines.
- Philippine Independent Church Proclamation Anniversary - Celebration for the Proclamation Anniversary of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente ( FilipinoPhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
NationalNationalNational may refer to:* Nation or country** Nationality** A citizen or subject of a country; by inference, frequently a person who owes loyalty to a country but lacks full membership in it, a non-citizen resident...
Church ) founded by Fr. Gregorio AglipayGregorio AglipayGregorio Labayan Aglipay was the first Filipino Supreme Bishop of the Philippine Independent Church.-Early life:...
& Isabelo de los ReyesIsabelo de los ReyesIsabelo Florentino De Los Reyes, Sr., also known as Don Belong , was a prominent Filipino politician, writer and labor activist in the 19th and 20th centuries. He was the founder of the Aglipayan Church, an independent Philippine national church...
during Philippine–American War.
- National Day of Prayer and Fasting - was declared by President Joseph EstradaJoseph EstradaJoseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada was the 13th President of the Philippines, serving from 1998 until 2001. Estrada was the first person in the Post-EDSA era to be elected both to the presidency and vice-presidency.Estrada gained popularity as a film actor, playing the lead role in over 100 films in...
as a non-working holiday during the 3rd Saturday of November in 1999 and 2000 as advised by Bro. Mike VelardeMike VelardeMariano "Mike" Zuniega Velarde or better known as Bro. Mike Velarde is the founder and Servant Leader of the Philippine based Catholic Charismatic religious group El Shaddai Movement which has a following of an estimated three to seven million Filipinos.He is the owner of Amvel Land Development...
, his spriritual adviser.
Local holidays
Each local government, be they citiesCities of the Philippines
A city is a tier of local government in the Philippines. All Philippine cities are chartered cities, whose existence as corporate and administrative entities is governed by their own specific charters in addition to the Local Government Code of 1991, which specifies the administrative structure...
, municipalities
Municipalities of the Philippines
A municipality is a local government unit in the Philippines. Municipalities are also called towns . They are distinct from cities, which are a different category of local government unit...
, or barangay
Barangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
s, will often observe one or more holidays. Being a predominantly Catholic country, these are usually the Saint Day of the locale's one or more Patron Saints
Patron saints of places
This article features a list of patron saints of places by nation, region and town/city. If a place is not here it may be in Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary.- Supranational :*Benedict of Nursia – main patron saint of Europe*Bridget of Sweden – Europe...
during which a fiesta
Fiesta
Fiesta, a Spanish word that means "party", "feast" or "festival", may refer to:-Film:*Fiesta , a 1941 American film directed by LeRoy Prinz*Fiesta , a 1947 MGM film starring Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalbán-Music:...
is held.
Secular observances usually mark a government's founding day or the birth or death of a prominent native. These are often celebrated with parades, processions, entertainment, and feasting, as well as whatever local customs are traditional.
Local holidays for the most part are applicable only to the immediate area concerned, and barangay fiestas do not usually warrant a public holiday for the area unless otherwise ordered.
| English Name | Filipino Name | Official Status | Details/Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 16 | Sinulog | Regional Public Holiday, Cebu Cebu Cebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands... & Tacloban |
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| February 3 | Ka Blas Ople Day | Bulacan | ||
| February 5 | Biñan liberation day | Special working holiday, Laguna | ||
| February 9 | Mandaluyong Liberation and Cityhood Day | Regular Public Holiday, Mandaluyong City Mandaluyong City The City of Mandaluyong is one of the cities and municipalities that comprise Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is bordered on the west by the country's capital, Manila, to the north by San Juan City, to the east by Quezon City and Pasig City, and by Makati City to the south... |
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| February 11 | Evelio Javier Evelio Javier Evelio Bellaflor Javier was a Filipino lawyer, civil servant, politician, and an oppositionist during the authoritarian regime of President Ferdinand Marcos. Due to these activities, he was assassinated by the regime on February 11, 1986... Day |
Regular Public Holiday, Antique, Capiz Capiz Capiz is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Roxas City and is located at the northeastern portion of Panay Island, bordering Aklan and Antique to the west, and Iloilo to the south. Capiz faces the Sibuyan Sea to the north... , Aklan Aklan Aklan is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas. Its capital is Kalibo. It is located at the northwest portion of Panay Island, bordering Antique Province to the southwest, and Capiz Province to the east... , and Iloilo Iloilo Iloilo is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by Antique Province to the west and Capiz Province and the Jintotolo Channel to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is Guimaras Province,... |
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| February 13 | Parañaque Day | Regular Public Holiday, Paranaque City Parañaque City The City of Parañaque , or simply Parañaque , is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila in the Philippines.... |
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| February 14 | Valenzuela City Day | Araw ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela | Special working holiday, Valenzuela City Valenzuela City Valenzuela ,In rare occasion it is pronunced as , with a glottal stop after /ɐ/ in Filipino/Tagalog languages. officially known as the City of Valenzuela is a highly urbanized, first-class city and one of cities in the Philippines that constitutes Metro Manila... |
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| February 24 | Cebú City Cebu City The City of Cebu is the capital city of Cebu and is the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country.The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was... Charter Day |
Regular Public Holiday, Cebu Cebu Cebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands... |
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| February 21–27 | Musikahan Festival | Regular Public Holiday, Tagum City Tagum City Tagum City is a First Class City of the 1st Congressional District of the Province of Davao del Norte, Philippines and serves as its provincial capital... |
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| March 1 | Muntinlupa City Charter Day | Special non working holiday, Muntinlupa City Muntinlupa City The City of Muntinlupa is the southernmost city in Philippine National Capital Region. It is bordered on the north by Taguig City; to the northwest by Parañaque City; by Las Piñas City to the west; to the southwest by the city of Bacoor, Cavite; by the city of San Pedro, Laguna; and by Laguna de... |
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| March 7 | Founding Day | Araw ng Tagum | Regular Public Holiday, Tagum City Tagum City Tagum City is a First Class City of the 1st Congressional District of the Province of Davao del Norte, Philippines and serves as its provincial capital... . |
Commemorating the elevation of then Tagum municipality into the first component city of Davao del Norte Davao del Norte Davao del Norte , and once known simply as Davao, is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Tagum City. It borders the province of Agusan del Sur to the north, Bukidnon to the west, Compostela Valley to the east, and the city of Davao to the south... . |
| March 8 | Founding Day | Special working holiday, Compostela Valley Compostela Valley Compostela Valley is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. The province, called Comval for short, used to be part of Davao del Norte until it was made independent in 1998. It is the third newest province of the Philippines, behind Dinagat Islands and Zamboanga... |
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| March 16 | Araw ng Davao | Special non-working public holiday, Davao City Davao City The City of Davao is the largest city in the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Its international airport and seaports are among the busiest cargo hubs in the Philippines.... |
Commemorating the signing of the Davao Charter, creating the City of Davao. | |
| March 18 | Liberation of Panay Panay Panay may refer to*Panay Island*Panay *Panay, Capiz*Panay River*Panay Gulf* USS Panay *Panay incident... |
Regular Public Holiday, Iloilo Iloilo Iloilo is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by Antique Province to the west and Capiz Province and the Jintotolo Channel to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is Guimaras Province,... |
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| March 27 | San Juan Day | Araw ng San Juan | Special non-working public holiday | |
| April 21 | Calamba City Calamba City Calamba City is a first class component city located in the province of Laguna, Philippines. Situated only 54 kilometers south of Manila, about an hour by chartered bus, Calamba City is a popular tourist destination with its hot spring resorts, most of the resorts are located in Barangay Pansol... Day |
Araw ng Pagkakatatag ng Lungsod ng Calamba/Araw ng Calamba | Special non-working Public holiday, Citywide | Commemorating the signing of the Calamba Charter, creating the City of Calamba Calamba City Calamba City is a first class component city located in the province of Laguna, Philippines. Situated only 54 kilometers south of Manila, about an hour by chartered bus, Calamba City is a popular tourist destination with its hot spring resorts, most of the resorts are located in Barangay Pansol... . |
| June 1 | Biray Festival | Araw ng Imahen ng Birheng Maria | Special Non-Working Holiday in Belison, Antique Belison, Antique Belison is a 5th class municipality in the province of Antique, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 11,621 people in 2,355 households.-List of Municipal Mayors:* Silverio Amedo Jr.* Getulio Tumangday* Vincent Piccio III... |
Honor to the blessed Virgin Mary spearheaded by the Iglesia Filipina Independiente in Belison, Antique Belison, Antique Belison is a 5th class municipality in the province of Antique, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 11,621 people in 2,355 households.-List of Municipal Mayors:* Silverio Amedo Jr.* Getulio Tumangday* Vincent Piccio III... |
| Cagayán de Oro Charter Day Cagayan de Oro City Cagayan de Oro; , officially the City of Cagayan de Oro, is the provincial capital city of the province of Misamis Oriental in the Philippines... |
Special Non-working Public Holiday, Cagayán de Oro City Cagayan de Oro City Cagayan de Oro; , officially the City of Cagayan de Oro, is the provincial capital city of the province of Misamis Oriental in the Philippines... |
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| June 17 | Naga City Charter Anniversary | Local Holiday | ||
| June 18 | Founding Day | Special Non-working Public Holiday, Benguet Benguet Benguet is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is La Trinidad and borders, clockwise from the south, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya.... |
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| June 19 | Surigao del Sur Day | Araw ng Surigao del Sur | Special Non-working Public Holiday, Surigao del Sur Surigao del Sur ' is a province of the Philippines located in the CARAGA region in Mindanao. Its capital is Tandag City and borders Surigao del Norte to the north, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur to the west, and Davao Oriental to the south... |
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| June 19 | Feast of Forest | Pista Y ang Kagueban | Special working holiday, Palawan Palawan Palawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region or Region 4. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction. The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the... |
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| June 19 | Laguna Day | Araw ng Laguna | Special non-working holiday, Laguna | Dr. Jose Rizal José Rizal José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by... 's Birthday |
| June 19 | Calambanga Festival | Araw ng Calamba | Special non-working holiday, Calamba City Calamba City Calamba City is a first class component city located in the province of Laguna, Philippines. Situated only 54 kilometers south of Manila, about an hour by chartered bus, Calamba City is a popular tourist destination with its hot spring resorts, most of the resorts are located in Barangay Pansol... |
Commemorating Dr. Jose Rizal José Rizal José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by... 's Birthday and the remembering of the history of Calamba. |
| June 21 | Agusan del Sur | Naliyagan Festival[(Agusan Del Sur)] | Special non-working holiday, Agusan Del Sur Agusan del Sur Agusan del Sur is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Caraga region in Mindanao. Its capital is Prosperidad and borders, from the north clockwise, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, and Misamis... |
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| June 24 | Manila Day | Araw ng Maynila | Special Non-working Public Holiday, Manila Manila Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,... |
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| June 30 | Tacloban Day | Araw ng Tacloban | Special Non-working Public Holiday, Tacloban | |
| June 30 | Tacloban City Charter Day | Regular Public Holiday, Tacloban | ||
| July 1 | Araw ng Davao Davao Region Davao Region / Southern Mindanao, designated as Region XI, is one of the regions of the Philippines, located on the southeastern portion of Mindanao. Davao Region consists of four provinces, namely: Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur. The region encloses the Davao... |
Regular public holiday for Davao del Norte Davao del Norte Davao del Norte , and once known simply as Davao, is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Tagum City. It borders the province of Agusan del Sur to the north, Bukidnon to the west, Compostela Valley to the east, and the city of Davao to the south... , Davao del Sur Davao del Sur Davao del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Digos City. The province is bordered by Davao City to the north, and Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, and Sarangani to the west. To the east lies the Davao Gulf... and Davao Oriental Davao Oriental Davao Oriental is a province of the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital is Mati and borders Compostela Valley to the west, and Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur to the north. Davao Oriental is the easternmost province of the country with Pusan Point as the easternmost... . |
Day commemorating the creation of the three Davao provinces from then Davao province, now Davao Region Davao Region Davao Region / Southern Mindanao, designated as Region XI, is one of the regions of the Philippines, located on the southeastern portion of Mindanao. Davao Region consists of four provinces, namely: Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur. The region encloses the Davao... . |
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| July 2 | Pasig Foundation day | Araw ng Pasig | Special Non-working Public Holiday, Pasig City Pasig City The City of Pasig is one of the city municipalities of Metro Manila in the Philippines and was the former capital of the province of Rizal prior to the formation of this grouping of cities designated as the National Capital Region... |
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| July 23 | Apolinario Mabini Day | Special working holiday, Tanauan Tanauan Tanauan may refer to either of two places in the Philippines:*Tanauan City, Batangas province*Tanauan, Leyte, Leyte province... , Batangas Batangas Batangas is a first class province of the Philippines located on the southwestern part of Luzon in the CALABARZON region. Its capital is Batangas City and it is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and Laguna to the north and Quezon to the east. Across the Verde Island Passages to the south is the... |
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| August 6 | Provincial Charter Day | Regular Public Holiday, Cebu Cebu Cebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands... |
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| August 1 | Butuan City Butuan City The City of Butuan is the regional center of Caraga, serving as an administrative region of the Philippines; it is a highly urbanized city. It is located at the northeastern part of Agusan Valley, Mindanao, sprawling across the Agusan River. It is bounded to the north, west and south by Agusan del... Charter Day |
Adlaw Hong Butuan | Local holiday in Butuan City | |
| August 9 | Ablan Day | Special holiday, Laoag City Laoag City The City of Laoag is a 1st class city in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. It is the capital city of Ilocos Norte, and the province's political, commercial, and industrial hub. It is the location of the Ilocos region's only commercial airport... per RA 6941 |
A commemoration of the birthday of former Ilocos Norte Governor Roque Ablan. Not always a non-working holiday. this depends on an official declaration by the LCE | |
| August 19 | Manuel Luis Quezón Day | Kaarawan ni Quezon | Special working holiday, Quezon Province, Aurora Province Aurora province Aurora is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Baler and borders, clockwise from the south, the provinces of Quezon, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Isabela. To the east of Aurora is the Philippine Sea.Before 1979, Aurora was part of... , Quezón City Quezon City Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L... |
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| September 1 | Baguio Day | Special non-working holiday, Baguio City Baguio City The City of Baguio is a highly urbanized city in northern Luzon in the Philippines. Baguio City was established by Americans in 1900 at the site of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway... |
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| September 2 | Nueva Ecija Nueva Ecija Nueva Ecija is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Palayan City... Day |
Special non-working holiday, Nueva Ecija Nueva Ecija Nueva Ecija is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Palayan City... |
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| September 9 | Osmeña Sergio Osmeña Sergio Osmeña y Suico was a Filipino politician who served as the 4th President of the Philippines from 1944 to 1946. He was Vice President under Manuel L. Quezon, and rose to the presidency upon Quezon's death in 1944, being the oldest Philippine president to hold office at age 65... Day |
Regular Public Holiday, Cebu Cebu Cebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands... |
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| September(second Friday-3rd Sunday) | Peñafrancia Festival | Peñafrancia Fiesta | ||
| September 9 | San José del Monte City Day | Regular Public Holiday, San Jose del Monte City San Jose del Monte City The City of San Jose del Monte is a first class suburban component city in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. It is bordered by Caloocan City and Quezon City, both in Metro Manila, in the south; by Rodriguez, Rizal in the east; Santa Maria and Marilao, both of Bulacan, in the west and... |
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| September 10 | Surigao City | Regular City Holiday, Surigao City Surigao City The City of Surigao The City of Surigao The City of Surigao (Filipino Pronunciation: (sů-rēh-GAŮ) ( Filipino: Lungsod ng Surigao; Surigaonon: Siyudad nan Surigao) located at the northeasternmost tip of Mindanao Island in the Philippines and the capital of the province of Surigao del Norte,... |
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| September 13 | Battle of Pulang Lupa, Marinduque Day | Labanan sa Pulang Lupa, Araw ng Marinduque | Special Non-working Public Holiday, Marinduque Marinduque In 1945, combined American and Philippine Commonwealth troops attacked from the Japanese Troops liberated to the Battle of Marinduque in the Second World War.-Archaeology:... |
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| September 17 | Siquijor Day | Special Non-working Public Holiday, Siquijor Siquijor, Siquijor Siquijor is a 4th class municipality in the province of Siquijor, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Siquijor. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 21,150 people in 4,498 households.-Barangays:... |
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| September 18 | Charter day | Special working holiday, Sultan Kudarat | ||
| October 16 | Oroquieta City Day | Special Non-working Public Holiday, Oroquieta City Oroquieta City Oroquieta City is a 3rd class city in the province of Misamis Occidental, Philippines. It is the capital city of Misamis Occidental. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 65,349 people.-Etymology:... |
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| October 20 | Leyte Landing Battle of Leyte The Battle of Leyte in the Pacific campaign of World War II was the invasion and conquest of the island of Leyte in the Philippines by American and Filipino guerrilla forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, who fought against the Imperial Japanese Army in the Philippines led by... Day |
Regular Public Holiday, Tacloban | ||
| Varies | Eid al-Adha | Haji | Special Holiday in ARMM Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is the region, located in the Mindanao island group of the Philippines, that is composed of predominantly Muslim provinces, namely: Basilan , Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. It is the only region that has its own government... , movable date |
Based on Islamic calendar Islamic calendar The Hijri calendar , also known as the Muslim calendar or Islamic calendar , is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days. It is used to date events in many Muslim countries , and used by Muslims everywhere to determine the proper day on which to celebrate Islamic... |
| November 5 | Negros Day (Al Cinco De Noviembre) | Special Non-working Holiday, Province of Negros Occidental | ||
| November 16 | Quirino Day | Special Non-working Holiday, Province of Ilocos Sur | To commemorate the birth anniversary of late President Quirino as declared under Presidential Proclamation No. 1927 dated November 15, 1979 issued by the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos | |
| December 2 | Pasay City Day | Araw ng Pasay | Special Non-working Public Holiday, Pasay City Pasay City The City of Pasay is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is bordered on the north by the country's capital, Manila, to the northeast by Makati City, to the east by Taguig City, and Parañaque City to the south.Pasay City was one of the original four... |
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| December 11 | Pampanga Day | Special Non-working Holiday, Province of Pampanga | Under the virtue of Proclamation no.2226 of late President Ferdinand Marcos. | |
| December 13 | Founding Day and Valenciana Festival | Special working holiday, General Trías, Cavite Cavite Cavite is a province of the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the CALABARZON region in Luzon, just 30 kilometers south of Manila. Cavite is surrounded by Laguna to the east, Metro Manila to the northeast, and Batangas to the south... |
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| December 20 | Feast Day of Santa Lucia | Special Non-working Holiday, Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur | Feast Day of Santa Lucia (St. Lucy), the Patron Saint of the town of Santa Lucia in Ilocos Sur. This is also the Town Fiesta day. | |
| December 18 | López Jaena Graciano López Jaena Graciano López Jaena was a Filipino journalist, orator, and revolutionary from Iloilo, well known for his written work, La Solidaridad.... Day |
Regular Public Holiday, Iloilo Iloilo Iloilo is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by Antique Province to the west and Capiz Province and the Jintotolo Channel to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is Guimaras Province,... |
"Holiday Economics"
Former President Gloria Macapagal-ArroyoGloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga...
usually issues proclamations moving the holiday to Friday if a holiday falls on a Wednesday or Thursday, or to Monday if a holiday falls on a Tuesday. The sole purpose is to enable government and private employees to enjoy a three day weekend holiday. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, coining the term holiday economics, introduced the policy in 2001 to reduce disruption to business and production schedules, encourage domestic tourism and give employees long weekends. In 2004 she issued a proclamation making Christmas Eve as special non-working holiday and December 27, the Monday after Christmas as special non-working holiday.
On July 25, 2007, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law Republic Act (RA) 9492 also known as "An Act Rationalizing the Celebration of National Holidays", designating 11 Regular Holidays and three Nationwide Special Holidays. Specific dates or days for celebration are designated. The law provides that holidays falling on a Wednesday will be observed on the Monday of the week and that holidays falling on a on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday that follows. Three holidays (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Eidul Fitr) are designated as having movable dates, and the law provides that for movable holidays the President shall issue a proclamation, at least six months prior to the holiday concerned, the specific date that shall be declared as a non-working day. Though it was allowed by RA 9492, Labor Day was never moved to another date by President Arroyo at the request of labor groups.
In addition to the Regular Holidays and Nationwide Special Days which it designates, the law specifies that the Eidul Adha
Eid ul-Adha
Eid al-Adha or "Festival of Sacrifice" or "Greater Eid" is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God, before God intervened to provide him with a sheep— to sacrifice...
shall be celebrated as a regional holiday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is the region, located in the Mindanao island group of the Philippines, that is composed of predominantly Muslim provinces, namely: Basilan , Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. It is the only region that has its own government...
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While Arroyo's "holiday economics" has been praised for boosting domestic tourism and for encouraging more quality time among members of Filipino families, businessmen are complaining over lost productivity and the hassle of preparing mandatory holiday and overtime salaries in a short period of time. Others deplored it as presidential tinkering with history via executive fiat.
The final two weeks of 2008 have the largest number of holidays based on Presidential Proclamation 1463 with offices closed from December 25, 2008 until January 4, 2009.