Labor Day

The first May Day celebrations focused on workers took place on May 1st 1890 after its proclamation by the first international congress of socialist parties in Europe on July 14th 1889 in Paris, France, to dedicate May 1st every year as the "Workers Day of International Unity and Solidarity."

Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar (though the Muslim use of a lunar calendar means that it may fall in any season of the year). As in Islam’s other holy festival, Eid al-Adha, it is distinguished by the performance of communal prayer (ṣalāt) at daybreak...

Independence Day

The Philippines, consisting of more than 7,000 separate islands in the western Pacific, declared independence from Spanish rule over 120 years ago.  Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was responsible for making this claim but it wasn’t until 1962 that then-President Diosdado Macapagal made it a public holiday through a presidential proclamation.  The Filipino flag was unfurled for the first time on this day...

Eid Al Adha

Eid al-Adha concludes the Pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid al-Adha lasts for three days and commemorates Ibrahim's (Abraham) willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son. The same story appears in the Bible and is familiar to Jews and Christians. One key difference is that Muslims believe the son was Ishmael rather than Isaac as told in the Old Testament. Eid Al...

Ninoy Aquino Day

This national non-working holiday is celebrated annually on August 21st. In Filipino, it is known as 'Araw ng Kabayanihan ni Ninoy Aquino'. The holiday commemorates the assassination of former Senator Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino, Jr. on this day in 1983. His wife was Corazon Aquino, who later became President of the Philippines, and as a couple, they are seen as two...

National Heroes’ Day

This regular national holiday is celebrated on the last Monday in August. It is known in the Philippines as 'Araw ng mga Bayani'. It is a day to honour the bravery of all Filipino heroes who struggled for the nation's freedom, including those who vanished into anonymity.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, also called Immaculate Conception Day, celebrates the belief in the sinless lifespan and Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, celebrated on December 8, nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Mary, celebrated on September 8.