Ramadan 2011 Message of PNoy

Ramadan 2011, a holy month observed by our Muslim brothers in which they refrain from taking in food and fluids during daylight, officially starts today. The end of Ramadan ( Eid’l Fitr) will be on August 30, 2011 which has been previously declared a national holiday by the Malacañang.

Ramadan 2011 | Image courtesy of the Offical Gazette

In connection with the religious event, President Noynoy (PNoy) Aquino has released his message to the Filipino Muslim community. Check out the PNoy's message below courtesy of the Official Gazette.

Message of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III to the Philippine Islamic community on the observance of the Holy Month of Ramadhan

I extend my heartfelt salaam to the Muslim-Filipino community, as you observe the holy month of Ramadhan.

Your devotion to perform the essential requisites of Islam, such as the holy fasting, is an inspiring deed that attests to your reverence for the Almighty. Your steadfastness in your sacrifice during the 29 days of Ramadhan is also by itself an opportunity for enlightenment. Apart from being a personal quest of faith, Ramadhan serves as a representation of peace, as Muslims around the world embody the spirit of solidarity in this moment of glorification. I am thus heartened by how this religious event demonstrates the readiness of Muslims to be humbled by abstinence. I am confident that we remain united by our common endeavor to attain lasting stability.

I wish the Muslim-Filipino community a renewal that transcends this holy month. Our fellow countrymen are one with you in contemplating the importance of serenity in the fulfillment of our spiritual obligations.

Today (August 1) is also the death anniversary of former presidents Corazon Aquion (2009) and Manuel Quezon (1944).

Black Saturday Holiday declared | Proclaimation No. 150 Full Text

Black Saturday Holiday declared | Proclaimation No. 150 Full Text

As reported here on Noypistuff just a few minutes when the Government's Official Gazette announced it, Black Saturday (April 23, 2011) was declared a special non-working holiday throughout the country after the President signed Proclamation No. 150. I found the full text of the Proclamation and I thought of posting it below since it contains the reasons of the declaration of the holiday. :D

Black Saturday Holiday declared | Photo of PNoy taken in a different event (not the Black Saturday Holiday declaration) courtesy of Google Images :D

Malacanan Palace
Manila

By the President of the Philippines

Proclamation No. 150

Declaring Saturday, April 23, 2011, as a Special (Non-Working) Day Throughout the Country

WHEREAS, Saturday, April 23, 2011 falls between Good Friday and Easter Sunday;

WHEREAS, Black Saturday, falling between Good Friday and Easter Sunday has been traditionally declared a special (non-working) day throughout the country;

WHEREAS, the observance of Holy Week is one of our people's most cherished traditions;

WHEREAS, our people must be given the full and uninterrupted opportunity to ponder on the significance of the Holy Week and to properly observe its traditions with religious fervor, without prejudice to public interest.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declared Saturday, April 23, 2011, as a special (non-working) day throughout the country.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused teh seal of the Republic of the Philippines.

Done in the City of Manila, this 18th day of April, in the year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Eleven.

By the President,

PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.

Executive Secretary

2011 Philippine Holidays

As outlined in Proclamation No. 84, here is the list of Philippine Official Public Holidays for 2011 which was released by the Malacanang and signed by President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III:

A. 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)

B. Special (Non-Working) Days

• Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Sunday)
• All Saints Day – November 1 (Tuesday)
• Last Day of the Year – December 31 (Saturday)

C. Special Holiday (for all schools)

• EDSA Revolution Anniversary – February 25 (Friday)

The Islamic holidays Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha observance shall be determined according to the Islamic or lunar calendar. The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) shall determine their dates.

On the other hand, The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is tasked to promulgate the implementing guidelines for this Proclamation, the proclamation stated.