Other than Christmas season and Holy Week, people also look forward to the month of August in the Philippines since it carries a lot of the Philippine regular holidays. As noted on a previous post, August 21, Tuesday, and August 27, Monday are declared non-working holidays at the start of the year by Malacanang in commemoration of Ninoy Aquino’s Day and National Heroes Day.
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August 2012 Philippine Holidays and Non-Working Days
But instead of just a 3-day long weekend this coming month of August, we might be seeing a 4-day long weekend. Eidl-al-Fitr or Eidl al Fitr (Eid al-Fitr, Eid ul-Fitr, Id-Ul-Fitr, Eid) falls on August 20, 2012 which is a Monday before August 21. This date is marked as the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal and also signifies the end of Ramadan.
The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month. Ramadan is the Islamic holy month of fasting and prayer. It is considered a Muslim holiday rooting from the word, Eid is an Arabic word meaning “festivity”, while Fiṭr means “breaking the fast”.
August 20, Monday, which is also the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal, is the day where Muslims around the world try to show a common goal of unity in communal prayer.
I heard somewhere that this is a National holiday for the Philippines in observance of Eidl Fitra but I’m not sure if this has been declared by the Palace. Can anyone confirm? It will be great to enjoy a four day long weekend. 4 non-working days! I’m actually about to file a leave for a Cebu trip for August 20.
(UPDATE as of Aug. 15, 2012):
August 20, 2012, Monday, has officially been CONFIRMED as a regular holiday in the Philippines
READ MORE:
UPDATED and OFFICIAL August 2012 Philippine Holidays as of Aug. 15, complete list
Have you decided on where to spend these two (2) long weekends of August? Check out suggestions below!
READs on where to go for the holidays!
PLACES TO GO FOR THE HOLIDAY!
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2012 List of ALL Philippine Holidays
wow 4 day weekend… hooray!!
sure po ung 4days walang pasok
aug 18-21
share kolang po from the Office of the President.. and still hoping na mag ka 4-day long weekend
http://president.gov.ph/featured_stories/malacanang-greets-all-muslim-filipinos-in-celebration-of-the-holy-month-of-ramadan/
Malacanang greets all Muslim-Filipinos in celebration of the Holy Month of Ramadan
July 21, 2012
Malacanang extends it’s greetings of solidarity to all Muslim-Filipinos in celebration of the Holy Month of Ramahan.
“As the Holy Month of Ramadan begins, we send greetings of solidarity to all our Muslim-Filipino brothers and sisters,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Friday.
Ramadan starts on July 20 and ends on Saturday, August 18.
“The coming weeks shall be dedicated to the solemn fulfillment of the tenets of your spirituality, demanding great sacrifice and due discipline, as an act of surrender to Allah, the beneficent, and all-merciful,” Lacierda said.
“These are times when your government has been working with all people of goodwill, to restore trust and confidence in our vital institutions. May we all be filled with this spirit of cooperation, respect, and confidence as we seek the path of peace,” he said.
Ramadan is when Muslims observe a month-long of strict fasting for a period of 12 hours daily, from sunrise to sunset. By fasting, the Muslims hope to strengthen their self restraint and develop piety.
End po ng ramadan yan. Yung celebration ng eid ul fitr po ay sa August 19, 2012 pero may mga nababasa na rin ako na Aug 20, 2012 ay holiday in recognition of Eid ul Fitr. Sana nga lang po totoo hehehe 🙂