June 20 Holiday declared | Rizal Day 2011 Holiday moved to June 20

Through Proclamation No. 154, President Noynoy Aquino has declared June 20, 2011 a special non-working holiday. This is to allow more Filipinos to commemorate and participate in the activities set on the 150th birth anniversary of the Philippine National Hero, Jose Rizal.

Rizal Day 2011 Holiday | Photo courtesy of Vibal Foundation

Rizal's birthday, June 19 falls on a Sunday this year but the National Historical Commission of the Philippines requested the holiday to be moved on June 20 (Monday).

Here's the full text of the Proclamation courtesy of the Government's Official Gazette:

MALACAÑAN PALACE

Manila

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 154

DECLARING MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2011, AS SPECIAL (NON-WORKING) DAY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY

WHEREAS, Sunday, June 19, 2011, marks the 150^th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, our national hero;

WHEREAS, to give all Filipinos the opportunity to commemorate Rizal’s patriotic deeds and sacrifices for the country, rekindle their admiration and respect for him, and to celebrate this milestone with appropriate ceremonies, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) requested that Monday, June 20, 2011, be declared as special non-working holiday instead of June 19, 2011, which falls on a Sunday.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare Monday, June 20, 2011, as special (non-working) day throughout the country.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 26^th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eleven.

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By the President:

(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA JR.

Executive Secretary

Meanwhile, the descendants of Rizal created a Facebook Fan Page of their grandfather to commemorate his 150th birthday and to reach out to the youth of today. Check info HERE.