Planning your holidays? There are 11 long weekends in 2010

One long weekend has just passed, but this early, Pinoys who are planning their holidays can mark at least 10 more long weekends on their calendars this year. Most of the regular and special non-working holidays fall on the months of April, August, November, and December. According to Proclamation No. 1841 signed by President Gloria Arroyo on July 21, 2009, the regular holidays and special holidays (indicated in parentheses) for 2010 are the following: January 1, Friday - New Year's Day February 22, Monday nearest February 25 - EDSA Revolution Anniversary (special holiday for schools) April 1 - Maundy Thursday April 2 - Good Friday April 9, Friday - Araw ng Kagitingan May 1, Saturday - Labor Day June 14, Monday nearest June 12 - Independence Day August 23, Monday nearest August 21 - Ninoy Aquino Day (special non-working day) August 30, last Monday of August - National Heroes Day November 1, Monday - All Saints' Day (special non-working day) November 29, Monday nearest November 30 - Bonifacio Day December 24, Friday (special non-working day) December 25, Saturday - Christmas Day December 27, Monday nearest December 30 - Rizal Day December 31, Friday - Last Day of the Year (special non-working day) Many of the long weekends were made possible by Republic Act 9492, which allows non-religious holidays to be moved to the nearest Monday. "This will also serve to strengthen family relationships by providing a longer week-end and renewing ties for a longer period of time, as well as promote domestic tourism," according to Proclamation 1841. The law stipulates the observance of the Eid'l Adha or the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice as a regional holiday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Palace said. Meanwhile, the proclamation declaring a national holiday for the observance of Eid'l Fitr, the festival which marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, shall be issued after the approximate date of the Islamic holiday has been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra). The Office on Muslim Affairs is responsible for informing Malacañang about the exact date of the holiday. – Aie Balagtas See/YA, GMANews.TV