One of the things I like about my job is that I don't have to work during holidays. August have so many holidays here in the Philippines. So most of my weekends this month are long.
August 9 is Eidul-Fitar. It is the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. It marks the end of Ramadan, which is the month of prayer and fasting. Many Muslims attend communal prayers, listen to khutba (sermon) and give zakat al-fitr (charity in the form of food).
It's been a long time since I haven't gone home so I invited my mom and cousin to spend the long weekend with me. We went to Paradise Island, Samal. It is just about 10 minutes boat ride from Lanang, Davao City. Fare is Php 15/pax to the resort. Entrance is Php 200/pax with consumable Php 50. We've stayed there for breakfast and lunch. Mom and my four-year-old cousin enjoyed bathing at the sea while I just kept myself dry for the reason that I'm too lazy to change clothes. ^^
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| Reading a book while hearing the sound of the sea splashing the sand. |
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| Sweet tasting buko ornamented with beautiful orchid :) |
August 16 is Kadayawan Festival. It is the annual festival of Davao. It is about the celebration of life and thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and the serenity of living. The holiday fell on Friday so it was supposed to be another long weekend for me but our department had always been on duty during this holiday. The parade was on Saturday but I didn't went out of my apartment because my muscles are hurting. Next year, I'll go out to the streets.
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| Kadayawan Festival, Photo credit to my friend Shin |
August 21 is Ninoy Aquino Day. It is observed annually to commemorate the 1983 assassination of former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. He is treated as one of the heroes of democracy in the Philippines. It fell on Wednesday and it's just so good to have a day off in the middle of the week. I just stayed at home and have a good rest.
August 26 is National's Heroes Day. It commemorates all the nations heroes throughout history. It is a regular holiday marking the 1896 Cry of Pugad Lawin by the Katipunan, led by it's Supremo Andres Bonifacio, which began the Philippine Revolution. This holiday happens every last Monday of August. Which means, another long weekend!
While most people use this opportunity to go out of town or off to the beach, I'm just staying at my apartment sleeping, dreaming, eating, reading, writing, watching TV / movie. Well aside from eating meat and having long hair, I'm a monk. I guess I'll be like this until I see a real monk at the City of Angels, Krung Thep. See you soon Bangkok.
