Long weekend: August 20, 21 holidays

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – A long weekend is in store for Filipinos next week, after President Benigno Aquino III has signed Proclamation No 455 declaring August 20, next Monday, a regular holiday throughout the country.

This is in observance of the Eid’l Fitr, when Muslims end their fast, the Palace said.

The Eid’l Fitr holiday is immediately followed by Ninoy Aquino Day on Tuesday, August 21.

Eid’l Fitr is one of the regular holidays for 2012, as per Proclamation No. 295, series of 2011, while the Ninoy Aquino Day is a Special (Non-Working) Holiday.

The proclamation of the Eid’l Fitr holiday is in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations. – Rappler.com