RIYADH, 22 December 2005 — The Philippine Embassy will be closed on Dec. 24, 25 and 31 in observance of the Christmas holidays and Rizal Day, an official said yesterday.
Vice Consul Romulo Victor M. Israel Jr., the embassy’s acting administrative officer, has advised the general public to transact business with the mission’s office when the normal working time resumes on Dec. 26.
Rizal Day is on Dec. 30 but since this falls on a Friday, which is a non-working day in the Kingdom, the holiday is applied on Dec. 31.
In the Philippines, Dec. 31 is normally declared as a special holiday for everyone because it is sandwiched between Rizal Day and New Year’s Day.
The Philippines has a long list of official public holidays. These are:
• New Year’s Day (Jan. 1)
• Maundy Thursday (falls either in March or April)
• Good Friday (falls either in March or April)
• Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor (April 9)
• Labor Day (May 1)
• Independence Day (June 12)
• National Heroes Day (Last Sunday in August)
• All Saint’s Day (Nov. 1)
• Bonifacio Day (Nov. 30)
• Christmas Day (Dec. 25)
• Rizal Day (Dec. 30)
In addition, there are special holidays such as the “People Power Revolution Day,” the start of the Ramadan and Haj holidays, Dec. 24 (Eve of Christmas) and Dec. 31, not to mention the many patron saints’ days observed by cities, provinces, towns or villages which are often used as an excuse to suspend work or classes.
