Apr 162014
 
Penitents, locally known as “Morions”, wear masks and Roman centurion costumes as they take part in a procession commemorating the passion of Christ during Holy Week at Mogpog town in Marinduque, central Philippines, March 25, 2013. (MNS photo)

Penitents, locally known as “Morions”, wear masks and Roman centurion costumes as they take part in a procession commemorating the passion of Christ during Holy Week at Mogpog town in Marinduque, central Philippines, March 25, 2013. (MNS photo)

MANILA  (Mabuhay) – The Palace hopes the nation will have a peaceful and reflective Holy Week as Filipinos observe the Lenten Season.

“As a new week approaches, we in the administration wish the Filipino people a peaceful and reflective Holy Week,” Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement she read over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.

At the same time, as most Filipinos from Metro Manila start to travel to the provinces, Valte reminded them to be extra cautious to ensure their safety.

“We encourage the public to take note of emergency hotlines present in the Official Gazette (http://www.gov.ph/emergency-hotlines/), as well as to familiarize themselves with the Summary of the Rights of Air Passengers also found on the Official Gazette website (http://www.gov.ph/summary-of-the-rights-of-air-passengers/),” the Palace official said.

These government websites would be useful sources of information for people going home to their provinces, and to those traveling around the country.

Jul 082013
 
Palace: First day of Ramadan is not a holiday

The first day of the holy month of Ramadan is not a holiday, Malacañang said Monday. In a post on its Twitter account, the Official Gazette said it made the clarification after receiving many queries about whether Tuesday is a holiday because of Ramadan. “[Regarding] queries: Tomorrow, July 9, 2013, is not a nationwide holiday,” it said. However, the date of the start of Ramadan varies—July 9 in some countries, July 10 in others. According to MakkahCalendar.org, the Philippines will be among the countries that should start Ramadan on July 10. Ramadan is the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, and offer prayers. The Official Gazette pointed out that Proclamation 495 does not include the start of Ramadan on its list of holidays. It also noted that separate proclamations will be issued for the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha. — BM, GMA News