Telling time is an important aspect of learning not just Tagalog but any language in general, as it is fundamental to everyday communication and understanding. When talking about time, it would be a missed opportunity to talk about Filipino holidays. After all, the Filipinos (especially the students and employees) love their holidays.
Holidays in the Philippines are not just days off; they are occasions for celebration, reflection, and family gatherings. They often involve various festivities, rituals, and customs that highlight the country’s diverse culture and history.
Besides the usual New Year and Christmas Day, here are some of the nationally celebrated holidays around the Philippines:
1. February 25 - Rebolusyon Sa EDSA (EDSA Revolution)
- This commemorates the bloodless four-day revolution from February 22 to 25, 1986, against then-Dictator-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s regime of oppression.
2. April 9 - Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor)
- This Filipino holiday commemorates the soldiers who fought against the Japanese invaders during World War 2. It’s also a day to remember the Fall of Bataan and the Death March in which Filipino and American prisoners of war were forced to walk from Mariveles, Bataan, to San Fernando, Pampanga.
3. Second Week of April - Mahal Na Araw (Holy Week)
- This is an annual solemn religious celebration for the Roman Catholics. It is celebrated in memory of Jesus’ sacrifice at the cross.
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Linggo ng Palaspas |
Palm Sunday |
|
Lunes Santo |
Holy Monday |
|
Martes Santo |
Holy Tuesday |
|
Miyerkules Santo |
Holy Wednesday |
|
Huwebes Santo |
Maundy Thursday |
|
Biyernes Santo |
Good Friday |
|
Sabado de Gloria |
Black Saturday |
|
Linggo ng Pagkabuhay |
Easter Sunday |
- Though it is a week-long celebration, the only declared national holidays and non-working holidays are Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Black Saturday.
4. May 1 - Araw Ng Mga Manggagawa (Labor Day)
- This Filipino holiday is an annual celebration of workers’ rights and their immense contribution to society.
5. Eid al-Fitr (Feast of Ramadan)
- While the Philippines is mostly a Christian country, it also has a sizeable Muslim population, particularly in Mindanao. Eid al-Fitr is declared a national holiday to honor the Muslim population of the Philippines. It marks the end of the Fasting of Ramadan.
6. Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)
- This is the second-most important event in the Islamic calendar. It honors Prophet Ibrahim’s (Alayhis Salam) willingness to sacrifice his son, Ibrahim, to Allah.
- This day also marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah, one of Islam’s five pillars.
7. June 12 - Araw ng Kalayaan (Independence Day)
- This Filipino holiday commemorates the declaration of the Philippines’ independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. This also marks the day when the Philippine flag was unfurled for the first time and waved at the window of the Aguinaldo Mansion.
8. Last Monday in August - Araw Ng Mga Bayani (National Heroes Day)
- Every last Monday in August is dedicated to the Philippine heroes who fought and sacrificed their lives for the country’s freedom.
9. November 1-2 - Undas
- November 1 and 2, dubbed All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day respectively, are dedicated to honor the lives of saints and the souls of the deceased. Despite the solemn names, it is a lively celebration for families to get together and visit the graves of their loved ones.
10. November 30 - Araw ng Kapanganakan ni Andres Bonifacio (Andres Bonifacio Day)
- This day commemorates the birth and feats of Andres Bonifacio. He is known as the Ama ng Himagsikan [Father of the Philippine Revolution] for founding the Katipunan, a secret society that fought against the Spanish in 1896.
11. December 24-25 - Pasko (Christmas Eve and Day)
- Christmas is a special and long-term affair in the Philippines, with decorations starting as early as September. This makes Christmas Eve and Christmas Day two of the most anticipated holidays, celebrated with midnight masses, festive meals, gift-giving, and elaborate decorations. It is also a time when families and friends reunite for Noche Buena, a special Christmas dinner.
12. December 30 - Araw ng Kabayanihan ni Dr. Jose Rizal (Jose Rizal Day)
- This commemorates the life and legacy of the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, who fought for the country’s freedom through activism and the use of his intellect. It is the anniversary of his execution via firing squad at Luneta Park (formerly known as Bagumbayan.)
Making Each Second Count
Holidays are more than a time to take time off; they reflect the country’s history, values, and traditions.
Each holiday provides a glimpse into the Filipino way of life, where family, faith, and patriotism are deeply interwoven. Understanding and participating in these celebrations can greatly enrich your experience of learning Tagalog and immersing yourself in Filipino culture.
To know more about other time words in Tagalog, such as the months and the days of the week, how about using Turong Wika to help you out?
Turong Wika is a language-learning app that centers on teaching conversational Tagalog. It uses simple and common words, which are especially beneficial for solo learners.
There is a Cheat Sheet feature that shows you a summary of the lessons you finished and a Practice feature where you can play interactive quizzes to test what you’ve learned so far.
Dedicate a bit of time each day. Scan the code below and download the app now!
Dedicate a bit of time each day. Click on the button below to download the app now!
