Philippines Holidays for 2010

Based on Proclamation 1841 signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the following dates have been declared regular and special holidays for the year 2010.

A. Regular Holidays
January 1 - New Year’s Day
April 1 - Maundy Thursday
April 2 - Good Friday
April 9 (Friday) - Araw ng Kagitingan
May 1 - Labor Day
June 14 (Monday nearest June 12) - Independence Day
August 30 (Last Monday of August) - National Heroes Day
November 29 (Mon nearest Nov 30) - Bonifacio Day
December 25 (Saturday) - Christmas Day
December 27 (Mon nearest Dec 30) - Rizal Day

B. Special (Non-Working) Days
August 23 (Monday nearest Aug 21) - Ninoy Aquino Day
November 1 (Monday) - All Saints Day
December 24 (Friday) - Additional Special (Non-Working) Day
December 31 (Friday) - Last Day of the Year

C. Special Holiday (for all schools)
February 22 (Mon nearest Febr 25) - EDSA Revolution Anniversary

Honored By World Vision

Last night, I attended along with my wife the Loyal Donor Dinner of arranged by World Vision. It was a night in tribute to the loyal donors of this charitable institution. World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. They reach out to people who could share a portion of what they have to help poorest of the poor and aid them and their communities.

With an amount of P600 per month, one will be able to sponsor a kid to school. With this amount a kid is given a chance in life to elevate their life and eventually help their own family.

The dinner was held at the Petron Cultural Hall of Petron Megaplaza in Makati. And this was for honoring donors their loyal sponsors who have sponsored children to school the past 5 and 10 years. I was among the 5 year donors.

Upon registration, each donor was given a lei of sea shells by some of the young kids who were part of the sponsorship programs of World Vision. Each sponsor was also given a World Vision pin that states 'I sponsor a child'.

During dinner, a group of sponsored kids from Pinyahan, Quezon City played a rondalla to the guests. And while being serenaded by these kids, each 5 year donor were handed a small plaque of appreciation for continually supporting their programs.

One highlight of the dinner program was with a speech made by a guy named Nick who was once a sponsored kid since 1975 and has now become a successful business person who owns 5 companies and now is a COO. During his speech, he narates how he was given the opportunity to change his and his family's life from being a farmer upto what he is now. It was such an inspiring speech. Eventually, our emcee told the guests that Nick owns the company who has started growing Cream Dory fish locally and competes with imported Dory fishes.

Actually aside from Nick, another guy was among the 5 year donors who was also once a sponsored kid from kindergarten to college and comes from Isabela.

It was a good celebration and I'm glad that I was able to help poor kids to enter school and have their opportunity to change their own lives for the better. I hope more Filipinos would also extend their hands and join World Vision in helping kids have a brighter future.

To learn more how to sponsor a child to school through World Vision, follow this link: http://www.worldvision.org.ph/

Thanks to HotelsCombined also for having a Donor drive for World Vision.

Pacquiao vs. Cotto

Just this weekend, the Filipino boxing hero, Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao once again brought fame and glory to the Filipino people after winning against Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico, giving Pacquiao a world record for winning 7 weight levels in boxing history.

Great job Manny..You're truly the Pound for Pound King of Boxing