***UPDATE as of Sept. 3, 2010***

Malacanang has issued Proclamation No. 26 declaring Friday, September 10, 2010 as a Regular Holiday throughout the country to promote national consciousness on the religious and culutural significance of the Eid’l Fitr (Feast of Ramadhan).

In this regard, employees who will be assigned to work on this day will be given premium pay in accordance with their company’s existing policies.

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Will there be a special non-working holiday this month of September?

We’re all anticipating President Noynoy’s announcement.

Last year, September 21, 2009 was declared as a national holiday by Malacañang in observance of Eid’l Fitr.

A lot are asking if September 10, 2010 (Friday) will be declared as a holiday.

Many opinions say it should be declared as one.  It’s like saying there’s no Christmas holiday.

If P-Noy/Malacañang does decide to announce it as a holiday, it would probably be declared by tomorrow or latest Sunday.

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Holiday or not!

Take your family or your significant other

out on a date in the Metro (or just at the outskirts of it)

Celebrate LIFE!

Read more: Between Bites TOP 10 Date Places

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You can also check out the Chef’s Table. 

Gastronomic Indulgence at the Chef’s Table by Chef Bruce Lim

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If you’re going for a short drive to Tagaytay,

TOP TAGAYTAY PLACES to check out:

Marcia Adam’s Tuscany

Chateau Hestia

Lovely Dinner at Antonio’s

A Weekend Getaway at Summit Ridge Tagaytay

Andanita Taj of Tagaytay

Vanilla Suites Tagaytay

XOXO,

Janey

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Malacañang announced yesterday that August 23, which falls on a Monday, will remain a regular working day, contrary to earlier declaration of it being a special non-working holiday under PGMA’s holiday economics.  P-Noy declared August 21, which is a Saturday and the actual date of Ninoy Aquino’s death anniversary, as the non-working holiday.

A statement from the presidential palace said President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is empowered under Republic Act 9492 to modify holidays by law, order or proclamation.

“The purpose for observing Ninoy Aquino Day on August 21 instead of August 23 is to avoid the imposition of unnecessary financial burden upon the employers, ensure the continuity of government, business, and commercial transaction, promote productivity, while at the same time preserve the solemnity of the observance,” the statement read.

I feel for those of you who have already made vacation plans around this “supposedly” non-working holiday.  I guess the solution is either you cancel it or file a vacation leave from your respective companies (I know it’s a dent on your VL or paycheck but what can we do, it’s been decided on).  Anyway, August 30 is still a regular holiday at this time.  You might want to move your plans to that date

And if you’re not skipping town… you might want to have a date in the Metro (or just at the outskirts of it)

Read more: Between Bites TOP 10 Date Places

XOXO

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August 2010 Holidays in the Philippines

Aug. 19,   Thursday                 

Special Non-Working Holiday (Quezon City-based employees only) 

RA No. 6741 –Quezon City Day: In commemoration of the birth of former President Manuel L. Quezon

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August 25, Wednesday

National Day of Mourning

***Update as of August 24, 2010 – President Noynoy Aquino announced that tomorrow, August 25, 2010 as National Day of Mourning to give respect to the HongKong nationals that were part of the hostage-taking tragedy.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINESPROCLAMATION NO. 23DECLARING AUGUST 25, 2010, AS A DAY OF NATIONAL MOURNING 

WHEREAS, on August 23, 2010, as a consequence of the hostage-taking incident in the Quirino Grandstand, Manila, eight innocent civilians lost their lives under tragic circumstances; WHEREAS, the Hong Kong government declared a day of mourning to express sorrow over the deaths of their nationals;

 WHEREAS, these deaths are a great loss to the peoples of Hong Kong and the Philippines, and call for the most solemn commemoration and respect at a time of grief for our two peoples;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby proclaim August 25, 2010 as a day of national mourning, in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong and the bereaved families of the slain.

 I instruct all the public institutions in the Philippines and our embassies and consulates overseas to lower the Philippine flag to half-mast on August 25, 2010.

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Aug. 23,   Monday

Special Non-Working Holiday (Nationwide)

RA No. 9256 –In commemoration of the Death of Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr

***Update as of August 11, 2010 - P-noy modified and declared that August 23, 2010 is no longer a special non-working holiday.  READ MORE: August 23 is a REGULAR WORKING DAY.

And if you’re not skipping town… you might want to have a date in the Metro (or just at the outskirts of it)

Read more: Between Bites TOP 10 Date Places

XOXO

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Aug. 30,   Monday 

Regular Holiday (Nationwide)

Executive Order No. 203: National Heroes Day (moved to nearest Monday as per RA No. 9492)

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There are days in a year that were specially made to thank fathers, mothers, and even teachers.  But we shouldn’t stop to thank them only during those specific days.  On the same breath, when was the last time you showed sweetness towards your friend who have pulled through for you through thick and thin?  If you haven’t, maybe it’s about time that you did.

Show how thankful you are to your blockbuster friend for being there for you, every step of the way. 

Our friends turn our tears into laughter, they tell us the truth even if it hurts and we know that they’d take a leave from work just to help us through tough times or go with us through life’s many adventures. They are bonded to us, not by blood or by virtue of work, but by common interests, goals, passions and simply by unconditional love. We all know that special friends like these come rarely in a lifetime, and while our best friends ask for nothing in return for everything they’ve done for us, we know that we need to let them know how much we appreciate their sacrifices, their care and their love. We know that they are there for us 24 hours a day, seven days a week—so it makes perfect sense that we also thank them for their friendship every single day.

Toblerone, the legendary triangular Swiss chocolate, urges you to say “thank you” to your very best friend everyday through simple things that show your appreciation.  You can start showing how grateful you are by telling the world about the wonderful story of your friendship.  Talk about how you met your epic friend, the adventures you’ve gone through together and especially why you are thankful for your relationship with him or her. All you have to do is to “Like” the Toblerone Fan Page on Facebook, upload a photo of you and your epic friend, tag yourselves and TobleronePilipinas and then post your answers in the Comments section of your photo. Make sure that you get your epic friend to “Like” the post as well!

Ten winners will be chosen based on the number of people who “Liked” your post as well as the feedback from the Toblerone team and a special panel of judges. Winners will be treated to Toblerone gift packs and a full day of fun and exciting bonding activities, featuring body care treatments at The Spa, with their epic friends. It’s a great and unique way to start saying “thank you” to your best friend! The contest will run from July 5, 2010 to August 11, 2010—so hurry and tell the world how grateful you are for your epic friend.

Gratitude, like friendship, shouldn’t just be a one-day deal.  Let this opportunity from Toblerone inspire you to think of many different ways to show your friend how much you appreciate all she or he has done for you. After all, each day is always a good day to say “thank you.”

For more information, please log on to www.toblerone.ph.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has declared June 30, 2010 (Wednesday) the historic inaugural of President-elect Benigno Aquino III, as a special non-working holiday.

Malacanang has issued Proclamation No. 2085 declaring Wednesday, June 30, 2010 as a Special Non-Working Day throughout the country to give the people the fullest opportunity to witness the inaugural ceremonies for the incoming President of the Republic of the Philippines.

For people who work in the Pasig area, it’s also a non-working holiday on July 2, 2010 (Friday) to commemorate Pasig Day.  That includes me!   YAY!!!

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