August 26 - 30 2011 Long Weekend, Longer Travel Opportunity

Eid’l-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. This year it falls on August 30 and has been declared a holiday. With August 29, already declared a holiday to celebrate National Heroes Day, a four-day long weekend is in the offing to majority of employees in the country.

As Saturdays & Sundays are normally off-work days, employees who work under such schedule will enjoy a four-day weekend from August 26 - 30, 2011. That long weekend is an opportune time to tour the Philippines and know more about our country.

Image from Dreamstime Free Photos

Those planning to travel on a long weekend such as this one need to plan ahead. A well-planned itenerary is the key to making the most out of a long vacation.

Since its four days, going out of the city or your province is very suitable. Getting cheap fares for air travel would not only be cost-saving but time-saving as well.

Up north, you can fly to Laoag, Ilocos Norte. Taste the famous Ilocos Empanada. Or just went straight splashing at the beaches of Pagudpud. Then you can proceed to the Heritage City in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. It is best to walk through Calle Crisologo at night. Stepping on the cobblestoned streets is like stepping to the Spanish times.

Further down, Baguio remains a favorite except when it rains.

Feeling lazy for long trips, Tagaytay is quite near and accessible from Metro Manila. I hope you can experience Tagaytay Zipline fun, too.

Weather permitting, beach resorts further down south in Batangas are a plenty for a fun swim. Munting Buhangin is one example.

Boracay & Bohol are famous destinations in the Visayas. As it is not summer anymore, perhaps it is no longer full of visitors by the end of August. Going there on the upcoming long weekend may prove to be more enjoyable because of less crowd..

I will personally recommend Cagayan de Oro. Not that I'm from there. But if the weather allows it, you can have lots of adrenaline rush via Cagayan de Oro river whitewater rafting adventure. After which, you can proceed to the scenic beauty that is Camiguin.

Those are just passing suggestions. The Philippines has a lot of exciting and splendid places to visit on that long vacation.

I do hope that local tourism will enjoy a boost from August 26 to 30, 2011. Be safe and enjoy the Philippines during this upcoming long weekend.

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Philippine Holidays 2011

Fellow Filipinos can now start their travel plans after the Philippine Holidays of 2011 was relased yesterday.

Filipinos can now start their travel plans for next year as President Noy Aquino signed Proclamation No. 84 - declaring the regular holidays, special non-working days, and special holiday for the year 2011.

1. Regular Holidays
• New Year’s Day – January 1 (Saturday)
• Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Saturday)
• Maundy Thursday – April 21
• Good Friday – April 22
• Labor Day – May 1 (Sunday)
• Independence Day – June 12 (Sunday)
• National Heroes Day – August 29 (Last Monday of August)
• Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Wednesday)
• Christmas Day – December 25 (Sunday)
• Rizal Day – December 30 (Friday)
2. Special (Non-Working) Days
• Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Sunday)
• All Saints Day – November 1 (Tuesday)
• Last Day of the Year – December 31 (Saturday)
3. Special Holiday (for all schools)
• EDSA Revolution Anniversary – February 25 (Friday)

The dates for the Islamic holidays Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha, both are also national holidays will still be determined by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) in accordance with the Islamic or lunar calendar.

I am one those who are glad that President Aquino will not be moving the day of commemorating/celebrating these holidays of 2011. It is hard enough to inculcate the meaning of these holidays. Changing the days of no work, all the more lessens the relevance of these dates to our culture.

But for those who already have plans, I pray and hope they will include touring the Philippines in their travel itineraries for 2011..

via ABS-CBN News
Full text of Proclamation 84

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Tour the Philippines during these Long Holidays

I just like to call upon my fellow Filipinos to utilize these long holidays to tour the Philippines.

We could help our country during the present economic woes while enjoying ourselves if we spend our hard-earned money on the Philippines' numerous tourist spots.

Here are the Holidays declared by the Government for 2009:

Araw ng Kagitingan
April 4 - 6, Saturday - Monday

Holy Week
April 9 - 12, Thursday - Sunday

Labor Day
May 1- 3, Friday - Sunday

Independence Day
June 12 - 14, Friday - Sunday

Ninoy Aquino Day
August 21 - 23, Friday - Sunday

National Heroes Day
August 29 - 31, Saturday - Monday

All Saints' Day
October 31 - November 2, Saturday - Monday

Bonifacio Day
November 28 - 30, Saturday - Monday

Christmas Eve
December 24 - 27, Thursday - Sunday

Rizal Day/New Year's Eve
December 30, 2009 - January 3, 2010 , Wednesday - Sunday

The Philippines beauty is known the world over. There is so much in here that rivals those from other countries to choose from. Remember that as you enjoy your vacation, the money you spent will boost the domestic tourism's revenue.

You can go whitewater rafting in Cagayan de Oro, frolicked at nearby Batangas beach resorts, splurge at the world-famous white sands of Boracay and a lot more. You can choose from the Philippines top travel spots or discover new sites that are yet to be explored.

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