Womenality

One of the most important parts of travel planning is knowing the holidays. While many people prefer not to go along with other people during these dates, the long weekends are still their only time to relax and explore other places other than office and home. If you are wondering about the 2012 Holiday in the Philippines, then here’s the official list.

SECTION 1. The following regular holidays and special days for the year 2012 shall be observed in the country:

A. Regular Holidays
New Year’s Day – January 1 (Sunday)
Maundy Thursday – April 5
Good Friday – April 6
Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Monday)
Labor Day – May 1 (Tuesday)
Independence Day – June 12 (Tuesday)
National Heroes Day – August 27 (Last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Friday)
Christmas Day – December 25 (Tuesday)
Rizal Day – December 30 (Sunday)

B. Special (Non-Working) Days
Chinese New Year – January 23 (Monday)
Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Tuesday)
All Saints Day – November 1 (Thursday)
Additional special (non-working) day – November 2 (Friday)
Last Day of the Year – December 31 (Monday

C. Special Holiday (for all schools)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary – February 25 (Saturday)

SECTION 2. The proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha shall hereafter be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient. To this end, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) shall inform the Office of the President on which day the holiday shall fall.

Link to the Proclamation 295, s. 2011

Our trip in Bohol is our first stop for domestic/beach travel this 2011.  I’ve always wanted to go to this place to see the Chocolate Hills but I was surprised because it doesn’t only have the amazing hills, it is also gifted with a beautiful white-sand beach — the Alona Beach.

As I’ve mentioned in my previous post, we got our ticket from PAL’s downpour deals. Our 2-day tour was hosted by Choco Tours(Google them), a local rent-a-car based in the province. We had the Panglao tour on the first day and Bohol Countryside tour on the second day. All costs us Php 7,100 including the airport-resort-airport transfers. They gave us black Toyota Vios. Maybe a little higher than what other travel agencies offer but we think it’s worthy of the price! We are very pleased with their service. And I should mention our tour guide/driver, Kuya Jun because he has been very nice and volunteered as our official photographer during the entire tour. Good thing, we never had to carry and set up our tripod. =)

We left Manila on Wednesday when typhoon Juaning is expected to arrive. We were actually a little nervous as there have been canceled flights on Tuesday. Good thing, our flight was not delayed and we arrived safely in Tagbilaran. I really love flying with PAL!

Happy Peanuts, Combi Bicuit and coffee…

And so… the weather in Bohol is unexpected since we are expecting strong wind due to typhoon. BUT, it’s sunny yet not too hot. Our entire stay there is magnificent. We really enjoyed the view, the weather and the people. Indeed, Bohol is the City of Friendship!

Hello! Sunshine…

Our Panglao Tour commenced as soon as we arrived in Bohol. First stop was in Dauis Church. You should try the healing water from Mama Mary’s well. They only accept donation. After drinking, we realize it really has healing power.

Dauis Church Complex

Dauis Church, Panglao

Dauis Church

Just Outside Dauis Church

Then we went to Ostrich farm, Shell Museum

Ostrich Farm is not that impressive. They only got 4 (I think) Ostrich and other animals. I must say that ostriches in Baluarte in Ilocos and Subic Safari are more interesting. =)

Shell Museum

Then, we had our lunch in Bohol Bee Farm.

Bohol Bee Farm Lunch, #9

Grilled Salmon with Red Rice & Veggie salad with organic flower

We then went to Hinagdanan Cave

Hinagdanan Cave is very dark inside. It’s only the flash of the camera

The tour guide told us that those painting have been there since they discovered the cave. You will not see it unless you use a camera with flash. Interesting…

Our next stop was in Panglao Bell Tower

Panglao Bell Tower

And the last destination for day 1 was in Alona White Sand Beach…

Seafoods!

I really love this place!

We stayed in Panglao Regency Resort, also in Panglao Bohol. Watch out for the pictures. The room costs only P1,800/night but no included breakfast.

While writing an intro for this post, I can’t help but think how Corazon Aquino feels now (if ever she’s still alive) to be included in this prestigious list. I’m pretty sure that being a Person of the Year in Time Magazine is a tremendous achievement for her. But to be one of the 25 Most Powerful Women of the 20th Century is greater.

As an icon of democracy, the 11th and first lady president of the Philippines is now again recognized and have been included in this Time’s powerful list of women who have made significant impact to the world in the past century.  I can say that this recognition is not just an achievement by Cory and her family but also for us, Filipinos especially women. This is truly inspiring.

Here’s a complete list of Time’s 25 Most Powerful Women of the 20th Century.

1. Jane Addams (1860-1935)
2. Corazon Aquino (1933-2009)
3. Rachel Carson (1907-1964)
4. Coco Chanel (1883-1971)
5. Julia Child (1912-2004)
6. Hillary Clinton (1947-Present)
7. Marie Curie (1867-1934)
8. Aretha Franklin (1942-Present)
9. Indira Gandhi (1917-1984)
10. Estée Lauder (1908-2004)
11. Madonna (1958-Present)
12. Margaret Mead (1901-1978)
13. Golda Meir (1898-1978)
14. Angela Merkel (1954-Present)
15. Sandra Day O’Connor (1930-Present)
16. Rosa Parks (1913-2005)
17. Jiang Qing (1914-1991)
18. Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)
19. Margaret Sanger (1879-1966)
20. Gloria Steinem (1934-Present)
21. Martha Stewart (1941-Present)
22. Mother Teresa (1910-1997)
23. Margaret Thatcher (1925-Present)
24. Oprah Winfrey (1954-Present)
25. Virginia Woolf (1882-1941)

Here’s one of the videos created by Time Magazine for this feature.