Popular Philippine Holidays
Hearing the word “holiday” can remind you of some of the best memories you’ve had. Holidays are special days where a country celebrates significant feasts and commemorations. Most of the time, people don’t work on holidays, meaning they can do whatever they want without worrying about their work or school responsibilities (related: its 5 oclock somewhere). Holidays vary from country to country except for those celebrations commemorated globally, such as Christmas and New Year. Let’s feature the Philippines, an Asian country rich in natural and human resources. You are probably wondering how many Philippine holidays are there. Let’s find out.
Why You Should Know Philippine Holidays
For sure, anyone is looking forward to a holiday. It is when you can spend quality time with your family and friends. You can go for a quick vacation or do the things you love. If you are visiting the Philippines, knowing the Philippine holidays may help you create better plans. For instance, you may want to visit your relatives in the country, but they might be busy because of work. Visiting them on holiday could be the perfect time to invite them over lunch or dinner.
There are many reasons why it is essential to know about Philippine holidays. One of these is giving your employees a paid day-off for them to enjoy the holiday with their family and friends. For example, you are running a business, and you have current employees working in the country. Allowing them not to work on holidays could be one of their benefits for working in your company. Meanwhile, if you are a traveler, visiting the country during the holiday season could give you more time to tour the country and feast on its cuisine fusion. Besides, the Philippines is well-known for its joyous festivities and celebrations.
19 Philippine Holidays
The following is a list of the official holidays and observances in the Philippines for 2021:
|
Date
|
Holiday
|
Type
|
Details
|
|
January 1
|
New Year’s Day
|
Regular Holiday
|
New Year’s Day is one of the most significant celebrations in the Philippines because it marks the new year's start in the Gregorian calendar.
|
|
February 12
|
Chinese New Year
|
Special Non-working Holiday
|
The Philippines also has a Chinese community, and since they follow a different calendar, they celebrate New Year on February 12.
|
|
February 25
|
People Power Anniversary
|
Special Non-working Holiday
|
People Power Anniversary is when Filipinos commemorate the restored democracy they acquired after a revolution took place in the country in 1986.
|
|
April 1
|
Maundy Thursday
|
Regular Holiday
|
Maundy Thursday is one of the Christian holidays in countries like the Philippines.
|
|
April 2
|
Good Friday
|
Regular Holiday
|
Same as Maundy Thursday, Good Friday is another Christian holiday.
|
|
April 3
|
Black Saturday
|
Special Non-working Holiday
|
Holy Saturday commemorates the day that Jesus Christ lay in the tomb after his death.
|
|
April 9
|
Bataan Day
|
Regular Holiday
|
Bataan Day, popularly known as Araw ng Kagitingan, is the day Filipinos commemorate the Filipino soldiers' greatness during World War II.
|
|
May 1
|
Labor Day
|
Regular Holiday
|
This is a public holiday that many countries celebrate. However, the date may vary depending on the country.
|
|
June 12
|
Independence Day
|
Regular Holiday
|
Independence Day marked the Philippines’ independence from Spanish rule on June 12, 1898.
|
|
August 21
|
Ninoy Aquino Day
|
Special Non-working Holiday
|
This is held to commemorate the life and death of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., one of the most significant Filipinos.
|
|
August 30
|
National Heroes Day
|
Regular Holiday
|
National Heroes Day is celebrated to commemorate the greatness of Filipino heroes.
|
|
November 1
|
All Saint’s Day
|
Special Non-working Holiday
|
All Saints' Day is a celebration of all Christian saints.
|
|
November 2
|
All Soul’s Day
|
Special Non-working Holiday
|
All Soul’s Day is the time Filipinos pray for their dead loved ones.
|
|
November 30
|
Bonifacio Day
|
Regular Holiday
|
This is held to commemorate the birthday of Andres Bonifacio, one of the Filipino heroes.
|
|
December 8
|
Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary
|
Special Non-working Holiday
|
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a holy day when many Catholics attend special church services.
|
|
December 24
|
Christmas Eve
|
Special Non-working Holiday
|
This is added to give Filipinos enough time to prepare for Christmas.
|
|
December 25
|
Christmas Day
|
Regular Holiday
|
Christmas Day is when many people around the world celebrate Jesus' birth.
|
|
December 30
|
Rizal Day
|
Regular Holiday
|
This is held to commemorate the death anniversary of Jose Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero.
|
|
December 31
|
New Year’s Eve
|
Special Non-working Holiday
|
This is a special holiday that gives Filipinos enough time to prepare for the coming new year.
|
There are 10 official regular holidays and 9 special non-working holidays in the Philippines. However, additional Philippine holidays are announced depending on the President’s proclamation. Sometimes, significant religious events like Eid al Fitr are announced as a holiday for employees.
Like any other country, the Philippines also have holidays that give people time to take a rest from work and school. There are 19 holidays, regular and special non-working Philippine holidays, that Filipinos commemorate every year. You can use the list above to make plans if you are visiting the country soon. If you are traveling to the Philippines, be sure to read up on time zones to see if it is in different one than your home.