Is June 20, 2011 a holiday? Yes, it is. Find out why.

Is June 20, 2011 a holiday in the Philippines? Well, yes. June 20, 2011 was declared a holiday by President Beningno Aquino III after the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) requested that the commemoration of Jose Rizal's 150th birth anniversary on June 19 which falls on a Sunday be moved on June 20 (Monday) to allow more people to participate in various activities related to the event.

Six days to go before Jose Rizal's 150th Birthday | Photo courtesy Rizal 150 to 150 Facebook Fan Page

Through Proclamation No. 154 on April 26, the president declared June 20, 2011 as a special non-working holiday nationwide. Check out the full text of the proclamation below:

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 ofthe 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