Changing the holidays

Philippines
November 28, 2010 10:17pm CST
To all Filipinos here, are you okay with the way the government is changing the dates of celebration for the holidays? like today, Bonifacio Day is tomorrow but we are celebrating it today, I have no problem with the fact that I am personally enjoying a long vacation..but in a cultural context, do you think this is good? I think it might confuse the younger generation...and may be a disrespect to the people that we have originally given the honor of making that holiday...what do you think?
2 people like this
11 responses
• Philippines
29 Nov 10
I definitely agree with the notion of moving minor holidays to elongate weekends. It is beneficial to the workers and families. Other countries are already into process of making on 4 days/week for worker's welfare. I don't think it is a disrespectful act, being honored w/ a celebration is too much of what they expect of what they contributes to humanity. As long as their stories are told no matter what day it is celebrated it is fine. Just like Christmas December 25 is not the exact birth date of Christ but everybody accept it as it is.
1 person likes this
@SimpleBB (1329)
• Philippines
29 Nov 10
Actually I'm not in favor of it. The significance of dates in the history becming useless. What's the use of teaching it that an important event happened on such date when the students used to celebrate it in whatever date seems convenient to celebrate? I heard some people making fun of saying that someday even a person's birtdate can be movable on the date we think convenient to celebrate. Yes, it will confused students on how to remember historic dates if it can be celebrated whenever it falls convenient for us.
• Philippines
29 Nov 10
Yes, this what struck the cord with me because I heard my younger cousins joking that we should move my grandmother's birthday to a Saturday since it falls on a Tuesday, so it would be convenient for everyone "just like tomorrow, we would be celebrating the Bonifacio Day in advance"....It's sad....and aggravating
@maean_19 (4655)
• Philippines
29 Nov 10
I have no problem with the changes too. Why? Because Filipinos love having holidays because there will be no classes and work. Hence, the vacation is prolonged when a holiday falls on a Tuesday to Thursday, such holiday is moved to the nearest Monday or Friday.
@maean_19 (4655)
• Philippines
29 Nov 10
To add, the purpose of moving the holidays so that there will be more time to be with family. Of course, some holidays are not really proper to be moved, like Christmas or New year, or Labor day and the like.
@dicefame (114)
• Philippines
30 Nov 10
Nope! I totally disagree why they changing the dates of Holidays. I don't get it what's the difference? This is President Gloria Arroyo's idea. I think PNOY would not follow the old administration he must back the old ways that Holidays should be celebrated on it's dates.
@Graceekwenx (3160)
• Philippines
29 Nov 10
Oh.. the GMA's adopted holiday economics. I honestly find it reasonable. Long weekends give people renewed strength and become inspired on the next working day. Happy employees make good economy then makes properous country. As for cultural context, well... for me, as long as you celebrate it and remember the person concerned on the holiday, then i guess the date doesnt matter.
• Philippines
29 Nov 10
Hmmmn, as I have mentioned in my discussion above I do recognize the value of being with my family and having a long weekend, I'd be lying if I deny that fact...I just got to thinking what this would do to affect the younger generations, especially those who are not yet born...
@yanyanyow (326)
• Philippines
29 Nov 10
i dont think theres wrong with moving the holidays. its good because we can all have a long vacation and have a good rest with no skip. our teacher never fails to teach us when are the real holidays and it is written all over the calendars so i dont think young generations will get confused on which are the real holidays.
• Philippines
29 Nov 10
Yes, teachers do try to make sure that our students understand the significance of the holidays but can they feel the essence of those days?
@silentwill (1685)
• Philippines
29 Nov 10
This Holiday economics thing is okay with me. Filipinos love long weekends. Although I'm not directly affected by it since my line of work does not allow me to take the holidays off anyway.
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
29 Nov 10
I think that I would find that quite annoying as we are so used to the customs involved with each holiday. I am sure that the government has some reasons for what they do but as with our government, sometimes they are involved in things that they should leave alone.
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
29 Nov 10
To me, I really would prefer that the holidays be celebrated on its original day. Be it on a weekday or within a weekend, we should try to be consistent with it. Moving holiday celebrations to the closest weekend is indeed one of the government's capabilities but, the significance of the holiday loses its essence and just becomes another day where we don't need to go to work or another chance to earn more.
• United States
29 Nov 10
Change is the only thing permanent in this world we live in.
@kaye114 (28)
29 Nov 10
Generally, we are all enjoying a long weekend vacation, changing the holiday season is a favor given to most Filipino's by our government! Legal holidays are marked and essence can not be replaced by changing dates. I guess it's a matter of how we celebrate the said holiday! What if All saints day falls on a weekday? would you not be happy if they've decided to declare it on a week end, followed by a saturday, sunday instead?