Excited for year 2023! Are you planning for getaways and staycations with family, relatives and travel buddies? With the release of Malacañang Palace’s Proclamation No. 90 dated 11th November 2022, there will be a total of nine (9) long weekends in 2023. Said proclamation revised the list of Philippine Regular and Special non-working holidays in 2023 as previously declared in Proclamation No. 42, dated 22nd August 2022. Succeeding proclamations were released i.e. Proclamation No. 167 and 201.
Commendable reasons such as for Filipinos to spend more family time, historical significance, holiday economics are considered anew. A notable change in the proclamation was the exclusion of special working holidays.
To reiterate the list of Regular and Special (non-working) holidays, please see below:
Regular Holidays
January 1 (Sunday) – New Year’s Day marks the start of the Gregorian calendar and is celebrated worldwide. In the Philippines, this holiday is a time for families to gather and celebrate with food, music, and fireworks.
April 6 – Maundy Thursday and April 7 – Good Friday mark the beginning of the Holy Week. Filipinos observe these holidays with religious fervor by attending mass, performing penance, and participating in processions. It is a time for reflection and spiritual renewal.
April 9 (Sunday) – Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor honors the bravery of Filipino and American soldiers who fought and died during World War II. It is a day to remember the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for their country. Proclamation No. 90 moved the date to April 10 (Monday)
May 1 (Monday) – Labor Day celebrates the contributions of Filipino workers. It is a time for honoring the hard work and dedication of employees across the country. Workers' groups hold parades and rallies to highlight labor issues and advocate for workers' rights.
June 12 (Monday) – Independence Day commemorates the country's independence from Spain. It is a time for celebrating Filipino identity and patriotism.
August 28 (Monday) – National Heroes Day honors the sacrifices and contributions of Filipino heroes who fought for the country's independence and sovereignty.
November 30 (Thursday) – Bonifacio Day honors the life and legacy of Andres Bonifacio, a Filipino revolutionary leader who played a key role in the country's struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule. Proclamation No. 90 moved the date to November 27 (Monday)
December 25 (Monday) – Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time for families and friends to gather, exchange gifts, and share meals. The holiday is marked by festive decorations, carols, and parades.
December 30 (Saturday) – Rizal Day remembers the life, works and anniversary of execution of Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines.
Special Non-Working Days
February 25 (Saturday) – EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary commemorates the peaceful overthrow of former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. It is a day to remember the courage and sacrifice of the Filipino people in fighting for democracy and freedom. Proclamation No. 167 moved the date to February 24 (Friday).
April 8 – Black Saturday or Holy Saturday remembers the day Jesus Christ was laid to rest in the tomb before rising from the dead. It is a day of vigil and prayers by Filipino Catholics.
August 21 (Monday) – Ninoy Aquino Day commemorates the death anniversary of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino Jr. whose assassination led to the downfall of the dictatorship of the former President Ferdinand Marcos. RA 9256
November 1 (Wednesday) – All Saints' Day commemorates all the saints and martyrs of the Catholic Church. Filipinos observe this day by visiting the graves of their departed loved ones, offering them prayers, flowers and lighting candles.
December 8 (Friday) – Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion of Mary "commemorates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the principal patroness of the Philippines." RA 10966
December 31 (Sunday) - Last Day of the Year
Additional Special Non-Working Day
January 2 (Monday) – Additional Special Non-Working Day (under Proc. No. 90)
November 2 (Thursday) - All Souls' Day
The two major Muslim holidays namely Eid'l Fitr and Eid'l Adha are also considered as regular holidays nationwide. The dates of the holidays are determined by the lunar calendar. Eid'l Fitr marks the end of the month-long fasting period of Ramadan. It is a time for Muslims to offer prayers, exchange greetings, and share meals with family and friends. The Malacanan Palace released Proclamation No. 201 last 14th April 2023, declaring 21st April 2023, Friday as a regular holiday throughout the Philippines in observance of Eid'l Fitr (Feast of Ramadan). On the other hand, Eid'l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice marks "the end of Hajj, the final of the five pillars of Islam." To commemorate Eid'l Adha, 28th June 2023, Wednesday, was declared as a regular holiday throughout the country per Proclamation No. 258 dated 13th June 2023.
In this comprehensive guide, we have presented a list of 2023 holidays in the Philippines, along with their significance. Whether you are a local or a tourist, these holidays offer opportunities to explore the country's culture and traditions. We hope that this guide has been helpful in planning your travels and celebrating the holidays.
Another Good news! In AanyaHR, Philippine Holidays are manageable and readily available. Any changes or new proclamations can be easily updated. Human Resource personnel can even send the announcement to employees in just a few clicks. Want to know more about other helpful and awesome features of AanyaHR, please send an email to customerfirst@illimitado.com or visit our website
Source: Malacañang Palace