Bonifacio Day in the Philippines
Bonifacio Day honors Andrés Bonifacio, a leader of the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule and founder of the Katipunan. November 30 is his birth anniversary and the date associated with the national commemoration.[1]
A holiday rooted in the Philippine Revolution
Bonifacio founded the Katipunan, a secret revolutionary society seeking the Philippines’ liberation from Spanish rule. In August 1896, he and his troops began the uprising remembered as the Cry of Pugadlawin; tearing their residence certificates signaled their revolt against Spanish colonial government.[1]
The Philippine Legislature made November 30 a legal holiday through Act No. 2946, approved in 1921. The date honors Bonifacio’s birth anniversary, rather than the circumstances of his death at the hands of fellow revolutionaries.[1][4]
Date and legal status
Bonifacio Day is a regular national holiday. Republic Act No. 9492 lists it as the Monday nearest November 30, while also allowing a holiday to be modified by law, order, or proclamation. Annual presidential proclamations set the schedule for each year, so check the applicable proclamation for the observed work-free day.[2][3]
For covered private-sector employees, regular-holiday rules govern pay. DOLE guidance says eligible employees who do not work receive their regular wage for the day, subject to the stated eligibility conditions; employees who work receive at least 200 percent of their regular wage for the first eight hours.[5]
Commemorations
The National Museum describes Bonifacio as the Father of the Philippine Revolution and connects the holiday to his role in the revolt against Spanish rule.[1] National commemorations have included wreath-laying at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City, as reported by the Philippine News Agency in 2019.[4]
Those reports document particular national ceremonies, not a guaranteed annual programme.[1][4]
What to expect on the holiday
Because it is a regular holiday, work arrangements and holiday pay may differ from an ordinary workday. DOLE rules also allow private employers to have employees work on a regular holiday with the applicable holiday pay.[5]
Check individual service providers and local announcements before travelling or planning an in-person visit.[2][5]
Bonifacio Day questions
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Sources and references
Sources used for Bonifacio Day in Philippines:
- Bonifacio Day #OnThisDay Feature- National Museum of the Philippines
- R.A. 9492- The Lawphil Project, Arellano Law Foundation
- Proclamation No. 1006- The Lawphil Project, Arellano Law Foundation
- PH to celebrate 156th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio- Philippine News Agency
- DOLE issues pay rules for regular holidays, special non-working days in 2024- Department of Labor and Employment