Panagbenga 2008: Feb 25 A Special Non-Working Holiday
Great news for all those coming up to watch the Panagbenga 2008 Parades to be held on Feb 23 and 24!
You do not have to rush back to work on Sunday, February 24 because, unlike last year, Gloria Arroyo has declared this February 25 a non-working holiday, changing her mind from a previous pronouncement that it was to be a special working holiday.
Of course this is probably because there is a planned huge rally on the occasion of the 22nd People Power Anniversary in light of the huge NBN-ZTE scandal that is rocking the nation. She probably wants as many folks as possible to be on holiday so maybe there’ll be less attendance for the rallies.
I say this because she put a damper on last year’s Panagbenga celebrations when she did not declare it a holiday, so it’s not like she’s doing this as a favor to Baguio City.
Connie (Sassy Lawyer / Pinoy Cook) who was in Baguio covering the Panagbenga and was so disappointed that their family vacation had to be cut short can attest to this.
So for you who have made plans to come up this weekend, consider staying an extra day for shopping or to take in all the other activities Panagbenga 2008 has in store. But we will understand if you’re rushing back to Manila to join the demonstrations, too.
For somebody is pulling all the stops so she can hang on to an office that she has no longer any moral authority to occupy…
We just...
No classes again?! The Filipino calendar has too many holidays. I agree that this is just a “diversionary” tactic but its the students that are mostly affected by these things. I admit, I’m from Baguio and I really don’t care about the different occasions in my hometown but I’m not saying that these occasions are useless (but its slowly going to that point) but rather inappropriate. Our calendar is bloated with days that are considered “special non-working holidays” to the point that students take it for granted. I myself am a Computer Science student in SLU and I hate it when students of our college rejoice when they have no class. Don’t they know that teachers still receive their salary with or without class? They can even value the time spent in the university learning and just go to these events just wasting their money. What a waste of our parent’s hard earned money and time. I’m not saying that these event’s are useless but as I have stated earlier, these occasions are becoming inappropriate. Why cant we just follow the 7-day work week of Japan?
Wow, AcidRayne, a student after my own heart!
You’re right, we’re wasting time (money we can earn back)! And thanks for appreciating your parents’ hard work, too.
I also understand why you feel the occasions are losing their meaning, because we may have lost the essence or spirit of these occasions:
1. Panagbenga, from the wonderful showcase of Baguio’s community spirit and natural beauty to commercialism.
2. People Power, from a spontaneous gathering to effect meaningful change to the replacement of leaders whom we allow to corrupt our society in exchange for promised economic prosperity.
Once, a foreigner visiting Baguio was shocked at how so many Filipinos were on Session Road and the malls, young and old, during office/school hours on a weekday, asked, “Doesn’t anybody work?”
Yippee!!!
hi lisa,
more visitors can stay for session road in bloom. that’s great.
Resty and Grace, hello!
This has always been a special holiday for the past 21 years! Am glad it’s back, if just to honor the spontaneous show of Filipino spirit in 1986.
Best of both worlds: visitors can watch the parades on the 24th, do some last minute pasalubong shopping, rest one more night in Baguio, catch the demonstrations in Manila without being guilty about skipping work. A special holiday just adds a measly 30% anyway.
and lisa, not to forget, the visitors can have a taste of session in bloom by monday morning, though set ups won’t still be in full.
That’s right, Resty! They may as well stay till Tuesday then, too, so they get a taste of the night market. Hahaha…
Hi Lisa,
It’s nice to hear that some visitors are staying over for the long weekend. We have so much in store for the Session Road in Bloom. How can I send it to you. I’m an idiot when it concerns the web. I might as well as drop it by at Atenara. Let’s fiesta and party at Session Road. Anne
Join us Monday at Session Road. I assure you it would be fun.
Yes, Anne, I have been contacted by so many bands and sponsors for last minute bookings for rooms, on top of visitors to the parades.
Visitors miss out on Session Road in Bloom because, in recent years especially, it has catered to the locals more than guests.
Good luck this year!
Happy Penagbenga everyone. Unfortunately I cant go home. It is really not good when your working on a project and your client is located overseas.
Hi AcidRayne,
Hows SLU-CICS doing? Is sir lambert teaching still?
Those who made plans for the coming parade of the Panagbenga 2008, like me and my family, will have to postpone it for sure. On the 23rd February, Saturday, the employees of SLU has to report to work.
if they wish to watch the parade, they have to apply for a leave.
sad really because the memo just came this morning 22nd February 2008.
it could have been a long deserved holiday for the employees who work more that 8hrs a day and 6 to 7 days a week.
Sorry to hear that, Hv2l. Did you get to catch the float parade on the 24th? Hope SLU pays you well plus overtime, too.
I did not get to go to town to watch the parades. I missed the ‘electricity’ in the air, the excitement, the anticipation, the community spirit. Am so looking forward to next year.