Regular Holidays

New Year’s Day – January 1 (Sunday)
Maundy Thursday- April 5
Good Friday – April 6
Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Monday)
Labor Day -May 1 (Tuesday)
Independence Day – June 12 (Tuesday)
National Heroes Day – August 27 (Last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Friday)
Christmas Day – December 25 (Tuesday)
Rizal Day – December 30 (Sunday)

Special (Non-Working) Days
Chinese New Year – January 23 (Monday)
Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Tuesday)
All Saints Day – November 1 (Thursday)
Additional special (non-working) day – November 2 (Friday)
Last Day of the Year- December 31 (Monday)
Special Holiday (for all schools)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary – February 25 (Saturday)
Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha
(These are tentative only, official dates to be announced by our Muslim brethrens)
Eid-al-Fitr – August 20 (Monday)
Eid-al-Adha – October 26 (Friday)

So hurry and plan your vacation for 2012, as there are many long weekends.

This was learned from Mayor Faustino Aquisio who said that the celebration of the town’s 111th anniversary on November 25 will signal the season of the increased tourists in the area.

Being one of oldest attractions in the Cordilleras, foreign tourists are among those who take interest in visiting the mummy caves which have guarded secrets of how the natives were able to mummify their dead similar to that of ancient Egypt.

Besides, adventurers who were able to climb Mount Pulag were able to see for themselves the unusual presence of two mountain lakes and mossy forests which are habitats to unique fishes and animals like the clouded rat.

Atop the mountain are the shortest bamboo-like grasses covered for some hours with frost in the early mornings of December, January and February.

Aquisio said the improved local tourism of Benguet encourages entrepreneurs to invest on tourism-related industries which include the production of souvenir items and delicacies. (PNA)

Artem Collacion of the DENR regional office 6, said that the PPUR is the longest underground river in the world with a length of 8.2 kilometers formed 30 million years ago. Because of its unique and outstanding scientific, biological, and geological features, it has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in December 1999 and declared as a National Geological Monument in December 2003.

The PPUR is the lone finalist from the Philippines for the search for the new Seven Wonders of the World and now counts among the top 14 of the 28 official finalists selected via the first round of international voting.

Collacion further said that the DENR Region 6, in order to help campaign, has now distributed advocacy materials and video clips to the key officials all over Western Visayas and has fielded personnel to intensify the campaign for voting.

If the PPUR will be chosen as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, it is expected to tremendously boost the country’s social, economic, and tourism status.

To vote for the PPUR, just text PPUR15 and send it to 2861 for Smart, Globe, and Sun Cellular subscribers. Voting can be made daily. The deadline for voting will be on Nov. 11, 2011. (PNA)

Regular Holidays
January 1 – New Year’s Day
April 9 – Day of Valour (Araw ng Kagitingan)
April 21 – Maundy Thursday
April 22 – Good Friday
May 1 – Labor Day
June 12 – Independence Day
August 29 – National Heroes Day
November 1 – All Saints’ Day
November 30 – Bonifacio Day
December 25 – Christmas Day
December 30 – Rizal Day

Special Non-Working Holidays
August 21 – Ninoy Aquino Day
August 30 – Eidul Fitr
November 2 – All Souls Day
November 6 – Eidul Adha
December 24 – Christmas Eve
December 31 – New Year’s Eve

Special Holidays (for all Schools)
February 25 – 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary- Special Holidays for schools
July 27 – Founding Anniversary of Iglesia ni Cristo- Special National Working Holiday

Department of Tourism Regional Dir. Edwin Trompeta said that the hotel rates have gone up because of the many reservations that they have already gotten from tourists who would be witnessing the famous Dinagyang Festival highlight on January 22 to 23.

“I was informed that Westown Hotel that used to have a room rate of P 1,800 only for its overnight stay is now charging P 3,000,” Trompeta revealed.

He then advised tourists to get early reservations in hotels, pension houses and inns in the city so they could avail of lower rates and be assured of accommodations even as most hotels are already reportedly fully booked.

In Iloilo city, the DOT has 14 accredited hotels and these belong to the standard that is two-star and the economy class.

“We do not have anymore a four-star hotel here,” Trompeta said.

The DOT accredited hotels belonging to the standard classification are the Sarabia Manor Hotel, Amigo Terrace Hotel, Hotel Del Rio, Days Hotel, Iloilo Grand Hotel, The Grand Dame Hotel, Iloilo Business Hotel, and Eon Centennial Plaza Hotel.

The economy class are the Residence Hotel, Four Season Hotel, La Fiesta Hotel, Century 21 Hotel, Iloilo Midtown Hotel, and Highway 21 Hotel.

There are also other big hotels in Iloilo city like the Westown which has not yet been accredited by the DOT. (PNA)

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Click here for Iloilo Hotels & Accommodation .

In his message, the Ilonggo solon stressed that the festival has already brought many honors to the city and continues to reap the admiration of many more sectors.

“Dinagyang is owned by the entire city of Iloilo thus the honor brought by Dinagyang is also an honor for everybody,” he emphasized.

He stressed that he was very much honored that he became congressman of the city that gives the country its Dinagyang Festival.

He added ‘Pamukaw’ simply showed the oneness of Ilonggos for Dinagyang.

The ‘Pamukaw’ was participated in by 14 tribes vying for the win under the Ati competition during the Dinagyang highlight slated on January 23.

The participating tribes paraded along the city’s major thoroughfares and ended up at the Freedom Grandstand where they gave the audience a sneak peek of what they could expect during the 2011 festival.

The participating tribes include Salognon, Silak, Angola, Pan-ay, Bantu, Molave, Himal-us, Aninipay, Pag-asa, Bola-bola, Manduryaw, Ilonganon, Atub-Atub and Paghidaet. (PNA)

The NSCB data showed that January last year some 23,357 visitors visited Aklan; the period of which coincided with the annual Ati-Atihan Festival held every third week of the month.

Around 50 percent of the tourists meantime have the famous island of Boracay.

Meanwhile, the influx of tourists, both foreign and domestic, was also noted in January in this city, reaching 36,576. The famous Dinagyang Festival is slated every fourth week of January which is followed by the feast of Our Lady of Candles, one of the popular fiestas in the country held every Feb 2.

Negros Occidental and Bacolod City posted 94,322 foreign visitors.

Among foreign visitors, the highest were from East Asia, followed by Europeans and North Americans.

More than half of the East Asian visitors were Korean nationals followed by Chinese and Taiwanese.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) registered some 1,821,896 tourist arrivals in the region in 2009. About 1,407,549 are domestic and 348,239 are foreigners. The others are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Of the foreign visitors, an average of 954 per day visited Western Visayas and four out of every 10 foreigners are Korean nationals. (PNA)

Ayuste said the group cruised for three days from Nov. 27-19, 2010 the potential tourism destinations of SOCSARGEN.

The scenic view of Lake Sebu in Tupi, South Cotabato, the summer capital of Southern Mindanao, exactly ascertains the wonder and beauty of nature.

In Lake Sebu lies Punta Isla Resort, a place where life blends with nature. In Punta Isla, one will experience the panaromic view of the lake.

For tilapia eaters, Punta Isla is the place to go because it serves over 50 different tilapia menus, including the very delicious “chicharong tilapia”.

Today, more tourists are packing to Lake Sebu not only for its seven magical waterfalls but also to take pleasure in riding the breathtaking zip line sashaying across the falls.

For only P200, one can ride the zip line facility and gaze at how marvelous Lake Sebu’s seven rushing waterfalls and vast forest.

Sarangani also offers scenic resorts among others, the White Haven Resort in barangay Gumasa, Glan, and Isla Jardin Del Mar. The entire white sand beachfront is the venue of Sarangani Bay Festival.

When in Sarangani, domestic and foreign divers don’t miss to visit Lemlunay Dive Resort the so called “Scuba Divers Paradise” in Tinoto, Maasim, southwest corner of Sarangani Bay.

Aside from their snorkeling and diving activities in crystal clear deep sea blue waters, the resort also has a new infinity pool.

Sarangani vice governor Steve Solon in Lemlunay Dive Resort said visitor arrivals in Sarangani, including during festivals, have markedly increased from 2005 to current year.

His wife Michelle, owner of Go Sarangani Travel, said data collated by the Sarangani Tourism Investment and Promotion Center showed that local and foreign tourist arrivals in Sarangani resorts alone posted a total of 35,308 in 2005; 270,222 in 2006; 352,064 in 2007; 285,840 in 2008; and 361,628 in 2009.

Apparently, the dip of visitor arrivals in 2008 was due to the impact of the failed signing of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the memorandum of agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for the Bangsamoro people, she said.

Composed only of seven towns, Sarangani Province has great economic and tourism prospects and easier to manage, Solon said.

Still very rural, Sarangani is a come on to investors particularly tourism-related businesses such as resorts.

For this, the Sarangani Provincial government is targeting to develop the province as an eco-tourism destination in Mindanao.

“So we’re targeting adventure tourists, but we still need to improve our facilities, and eyeing for more investors,” Solon said.

He said elected leaders of SOCSARGEN are closely working together to develop further SOCSARGEN’s tourism potentials to find a place in the world tourism map.

Solon also includes World boxing icon Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao as a tourism asset for Sarangani.

“The presence of Manny here is a draw,” he said.

“Biyahe Ta Mindanao” second leg toured Pacquiao’s 12-hectare farm in Sarangani. Aside from mango fruit bearing trees, the farm is haven to Pacquiao’s hundreds of fighting cocks.

Pacquiao’s mansion in General Santos City has also become a tourist destination after Pacquiao has transformed into a very famous and wealthy man in the world, according to Dr. Tranquilino Ruiz, owner of Sarangani Highlands, an overlooking hotel and restaurant located in Tambler, General Santos City.

Tambler is the last barangay of General Santos City before reaching Sarangani Province.

The hotel is also breathtaking because you can experience the panaromic view of Sarangani Bay while eating in its restaurant vastly surrounded with a relaxing garden ambiance.

Ayuste is confident “Biyahe Ta Mindanao” could help sell Mindanao as one to domestic and foreign tourists and slowly ease the negative perception that it is a no-no destination for travelers from the country and abroad.

Meanwhile, Ayuste said “Biyahe Ta Mindanao” third leg will tour Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte the surfing hub of the Philippines and other key destinations of Western Mindanao.

However, she said the date of the tour is still to be planned.

Ayuste said the tour kicked off on October 2-4 touring Northern Mindanao specifically Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, Oroquieta, Ozamis and Dapitan.

The group had its first stop in Seagull Valley in Budda, Bukidnon with its overwhelming scenery and freezing weather and proceeded to Gloria’s Fantasyland, the so-called Disneyland of the Philippines, Dakak Beach Resort, Rivercruise Dining in Dampa Marine Park and the historical place of Jose Rizal’s exile in Dapitan City.

The group on its way back to Davao explored Cagayan de Oro and visited some of its tourist sites such as the Gardens of Malasag, Museum of Three Tribes and Makahambus Cave. (PNA)

Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa Jr. said President Aquino issued Proclamation no. 26 declaring September 10 as a holiday to mark Eid’l Fitr or the end of Ramadhan.

He also cited Republic Act No. 9177 which declares Eid’l Fitr (feast of Ramadhan) as a regular holiday throughout the country.

Eid’l Fitr is celebrated by the Muslim World for three days after the end of the month of fasting.

The main date for the celebration of Eid’l Fitr for the year 2010 has been determined to fall on Friday, September 10.

To promote cultural understanding and integration, the entire Filipino nation should have the full opportunity to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in the observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr, Ochoa said.

He added that in order to bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid’l Fitr to national consciousness, it is imperative to declare September 10 of this year as a regular non-working holiday throughout the country.(PNA)

*Philippine Holidays 2010*

“Yes we are determined to develop our local tourism anchor in the historic feat of our Balangay boats” says new Butuan Mayor Ferdinand Amante when asked his agenda on the city’s tourism industry.

Amante admitted during a press conference here held right after he took oath of office that the city’s tourism industry has still long way to go in terms of needed infra support services, promotion and absence of well-organized local marketing strategy.

The lack of local residents’ full and comprehensive support for local tourism has also been noted saying even local people’s enthusiasm to visit local historic and tourism sites is totally absent.

As Amante answered queries on how to promote local tourism at the press conference, Butuan Global Forum and partners from both local private and government institutions were preparing for the launching of the “3rd Balangay Boat” and its two-day river cruise tour set on July 10-11.

The river cruise will start at the historic but already full of floating illegally-cut logs Agusan River.

The third boat LEPA will join two earlier expeditions made by two Balangay boat replicas named “Masawa Hong Butuan”, the second boat and “Diwata Ng Lahi”, the first, which will start with several stops in Mindanao before proceeding to an Asian tour.

The construction of the wind-driven boat Masawa Hong Butuan worth P1.6 million was shouldered by the Butuan Global Forum Inc., an association of Butuanons based locally and abroad; the Kaya Ng Pinoy Foundation; and the Butuan Historical and Cultural Foundation Inc.

The two replicas of Balangay boats, all wind-driven, sailed February 2 and February 4, 2010 respectively.

According to Butuanon Banker Agnes Andaya who is over-all chairperson of the project dubbed “The Continuing Balangay Journey” under auspices of Butuan Global Forum Incorporated, Kaya Natin Pinoy Foundation and other private and government institutions, the third boat will be engine driven”.

The third Balangay Boat river cruise project was aim to generate funds for the allowance and expenses of local navigators mostly Butuanons who will served as crew for the third Balangay Boat expedition, Andaya said.

The river cruise scheduled July 10 and 11 will pass the historic town of Magallanes, Agusan del Norte which is claiming as the real venue of the fist Christian mass in the country, the reason why it was named “Magallanes” referring to Ferdinand Magellan.

The river cruise will also pass other historical landmarks along Agusan River where the “Golden Tara” an ancient image made of gold was found by Manobo tribes sometime in the 60’s.

During launching of the LEPA Balangay Boat’s river cruise and voyage on July 9, 2010 to be held at Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) grounds here in Butuan City, several activities including mini concert by local bands were also scheduled.

Butuan folk consider the vessel meaningful after remnants of around eight ancient balangay boats were excavated in Butuan City particularly in Barangay Libertad in 1978.

The oldest boat that was dug was carbon-dated at 320 AD.(PNA)