Consistent with the President's advocacy of holiday economics to boost domestic tourism and to allow Filipinos to have more time with their families, there will be some long Philippine holiday vacation opportunities.
List of holidays in the Philippines
Regular Philippine Holidays
- New Year's Day (Araw ng Bagong Taon) - January 1 (Fixed date) Celebrates the first day of the year in Gregorian calendar. It is widely celebrated in the Philippines.
- Maundy Thursday (Huwebes Santo) - April 5 (2012) (Movable date) Maundy Thursday is one of the four holidays that compose the Mahál na Araw (Spanish: Semana Santa, English: Holy Week). This holiday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles.
- Good Friday (Biyernes Santo) - April 6 (2012) (Movable date) Good Friday is one of the four holidays that compose the Mahál na Araw. This holiday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
- Day of Valor/Bataan Day/Corregidor Day (Araw ng Kagitingan) - April 9 (Fixed date) 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 as it happened on this day but it now also includes the Fall of Corregidor. In 2009, Araw ng Kagitingan fell on Maundy Thursday so it was moved to April 6.
- Labor Day (Araw ng mga Manggagawà) - May 1 (Fixed date) Celebrates economic and social achievements of workers. The first Labour Day celebrations were held in the Philippines on May 1, 1903 in a mammoth rally in front of Malacañang Palace staged by the Unión Obrera Democrática(Democratic Laborer's Union), while pressing for workers’ economic rights.
- Independence Day (Araw ng Kalayaan) - June 12 (Fixed date) Celebrates the Philippine Declaration of Independence by Emilio Aguinaldo on June 12, 1898.
- Eid'l Fitr (Pagwawakas ng Ramadan) - August 18 (2012) (Movable date) Celebrates the end of the fasting month of Ramadan; also the first day of the month Shawwal in Islamic calendar. It was created by virtue of Republic Act No. 9177 and signed on 13 November 2002. The law was enacted in deference to theFilipino Muslim community and to promote peace among the major religions in the Philippines.
- National Heroes' Day (Araw ng mga Bayani) - August 27 (2012) (Movable date) Commemorates all the nation's heroes throughout history. It is a regular holiday marking the 1896 Cry of Pugad Lawinby the Katipunan, led by its Supremo Andrés Bonifacio, which began the Philippine Revolution.
- Eidul Adha (Pista ng Pagsasakripisyo) - TBD (To be determined)(2012) (Movable date) It is when Muslims sacrifice a goat, sheep, cow or a camel to be sent to poor people as a donation and marks the end of the Hajj for the millions of Muslims who make the trip to Mecca.
- Bonifacio Day (Kaarawan ni Bonifacio) - November 30 (Fixed date) Commemorates the birth of national hero Andrés Bonifacio 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 foreign persons, Bonifacio was executed by the Philippine government. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo ordered his execution, as he was considered an enemy of the state after the events at the Tejeros Convention. Often conflated with National Heroes' Day.
- Christmas Day (Araw ng Pasko) - December 25 (Fixed date) Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. As the majority of Filipinos are Christians, Christmas in the Philippines 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.
- Rizal Day (Araw ng Kabayanihan ni Dr. José Rizal) - December 30 (Fixed date) Commemorates the execution of national hero José Rizal by Spanish colonial authorities on December 30, 1896.
Special holidays
- Chinese New Year (Bagong Taon ng Tsina) - January 23 (2012) (Movable date) This holiday commemorates the Chinese's Spring Festival.
- People Power Revolution Anniversary (Anibersaryo ng Rebolusyon sa EDSA) - February 25 (Fixed date) It has 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 since 2010.
- Ninoy Aquino Day (Araw ng Kabayanihan ni Ninoy Aquino) - August 21 (Fixed date) Commemorates the assassination of former senator 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 flight at the Manila International Airport which now bears his name. The holiday was created by 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 Republic Act No. 9492, unless otherwise modified by law, and or proclamation. In 2011, Presidential Proclamation No. 295, s.2011, declared that the celebration date in the year 2012 would be August 21 (a Tuesday).
- All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (Araw ng mga Santoand Araw ng mga Patáy) - November 1 & 2 (Fixed date) Also known as Todos los Santos and Undás, this holiday commemorates the saints and the dead. Families return to their respective provinces 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.
- New Year's Eve (Bisperás ng Bagong Taón) - December 31 (Fixed date) Originally a filler holiday between Rizal Day and New Year's Day. Filipinos spend this night by going to parks and shopping centers to await for the fireworks display, or as an alternative, in the streets and make noise and use firecrackers. Some also spend the night reflecting themselves on the past year and by 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.
- Vesak Day Marks three important events in the life Gautama Buddha: His birth in 583 B.C., His Enlightenment, and His entering into Parinirvana (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 asVesak Day in the Philippines.
- Black Saturday and Easter Sunday Like the EDSA Revolution Anniversary, these days are sometimes considered as special non-working holidays by the President. These holidays are in movable dates.
- Jose Rizal's birthday Declared on June 19, 1961 by President Carlos P. García in commemoration of the 100th birth anniversary of José Rizal. It was again declared as an special non-working holiday in June 20, 2011 (Monday) by President Benigno Aquino III 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 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 ( Filipino National Church ) founded by Fr. Gregorio Aglipay and Isabelo de los Reyes during Philippine–American War.
- National Day of Prayer and Fasting Was declared by President Joseph Estrada as a non-working holiday during the 3rd Saturday of November in 1999 and 2000 as advised by Bro. Mike Velarde, his spriritual adviser.
