Sorry guys, we’re not getting a 2-day holiday this month.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signed a proclamation yesterday declaring Aug. 21, Tuesday a regular holiday in observance of the Islam Feast of Sacrifice, Eid’l Adha.
While people usually rejoice over holiday announcements (No work!), this one was met with confusion.
You see, Eid’l Adha, a major Muslim holiday, actually falls on Aug. 22, Wednesday. In fact, other countries with majority-Muslim populations set their non-woking holidays on that day.
Aug. 21 also happens to be Ninoy Aquino Day, a special non-working holiday in the Philippines that happens every year. Many were looking forward to a two-day break this month, only to be disappointed by this recent turn of events.
Even the Philippines’ Department of Education (DepEd) scheduled for there to be no classes on the 22nd, as seen in this 2018-2019 school calendar.
DepEd Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla told radio station Radyo Inquirer today that the department will amend its calendar to reflect Duterte’s proclamation — sorry, kids.
Naturally, people were bummed about this.
Twitter user @PieKwonie said in Filipino and English: “I was excited that Aug 21 and 22 are holidays [but] now it’s just 21,”
https://twitter.com/PieKwonie/status/1029875806913220608
“When you plan your outing for Aug 21-22, then 22 turns out to not be a holiday,” @AwesomeJaz said with a crying emoji.
https://twitter.com/AwesomeJaz/status/1029864700308217856
@AdamCute003 called the non-holiday “paasa” which means to give false hope.
Paasa na holiday, y man Aug. 21 ra?
— Zeus Almighty (@AdamCute003) August 15, 2018
@itsmelisapelayo said she also hoped for the 22nd to be a holiday.
https://twitter.com/itsmelisapelayo/status/1029746225581441024
While @irisuministrado said her take away from all this is to never assume. “[L]esson for today: don’t assume, it hurts. Only Aug 21 is a holiday.”
lesson for today: wag mag assume, masakit. Aug 21 lang ang holiday.
— iris suministrado tayag (@irisuministrado) August 15, 2018
@hahahannaaaah ranted about the government’s error. “WHAT’S NOT OKAY IS THE MISINFORMATION BROUGHT BY SPREADING EARLY ANNOUNCEMENTS OF AUG HOLIDAYS (21 AND 22) DURING THE START OF THE YEAR.”
https://twitter.com/hahahannaaaah/status/1029727278207447042
Were your long weekend plans ruined by this announcement? Let us know in the comments section below or tweet us @CoconutsManila.
