Regular Holidays, Special (Non-Working) days, and Special Holidays for the year 2013.

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The President of the Philippines declared the Regular Holidays, Special (Non-Working) days, and Special Holidays (for all schools) for the year 2013.

As the Administrative Code of 1987, by declaring certain days (specific or movable) as special or regular holidays, RA No. 9492 provides that holidays, except those which are religious in nature, are moved to the nearest Monday unless otherwise modified by law, order or proclamation.

Eidul Adha shall be celebrated as a national holiday; EDSA People Power Revolution, which restored and ushered political, social and economic reforms in the country, serves as an inspiration to Filipinos everywhere as a nation and as a people.

Saturday, 30 March 2013 falls between Good Friday and Easter Sunday; Black Saturday, falling between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, has been traditionally declared a special (non-working) day throughout the country because the observance of Holy Week is one of our people’s most cherished traditions and they must be given the full and uninterrupted opportunity to ponder on the significance of Holy Week and to properly observe its traditions with religious fervor, without prejudice to public interest.

Saturday, 2 November 2013, falling between Friday, 1 November 2013 (All Saints Day) and Sunday, has been traditionally declared a special (non-working) day throughout the country.

To give full opportunity to our people to properly observe All Saints Day with all its religious fervor which invariably requires them to travel to and from different regions in the country, Saturday, 2 November 2013, may be declared as a special (non-working) day without detriment to public interest;

In order to foster closer family ties and enable our countrymen to observe Christmas more meaningfully, it is but fitting to declare December 24, (Tuesday) as an additional special (non-working) day throughout the country. The proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha shall be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient. The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) shall inform the Office of the President on which day the holiday shall fall.

 The following regular holidays and special days for the year 2013 shall be observed in the country:

A. Regular Holidays
New Year’s Day Maundy Thursday Good Friday Araw ng Kagitingan	January 1 (Tuesday) March 28 March 29 April 9 (Tuesday)
Labor Day Independence Day National Heroes Day Bonifacio Day Christmas Day Rizal Day	May 1 (Wednesday) June 12 (Wednesday) August 26 (Last Monday of August) November 30 (Saturday) December 25 (Wednesday) December 30 (Monday)
B. Special (Non-Working) Days
Black Saturday Ninoy Aquino Day All Saints Day Additional special (non-working) days Last Day of the Year	March 30 August 21 (Wednesday) November 1 (Friday) November 2 (Saturday) December 24 (Tuesday) December 31 (Tuesday)
C. Special Holiday (for all schools)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary	February 25 (Monday)

http://www.gov.ph/2012/08/16/proclamation-no-459-s-2012/

Proclamation No. 459, s. 2012

"Captive" - Even A Choice Is Not An Option

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Captive is about self-preservation, about survival in the face of hardships and situations beyond one’s control.

The story of Captive is adapted from the Dos Palmas kidnapping of two US missionaries by the Abu Sayyaf Group in 2001.

On May 27, 2001 members of the Abu Sayyaf Group abduct 20 local and foreign tourists from the DOS Palmas resort in Palawan and transport them via a fishing boat across the Sulu Sea to the island of Basilan.

On the boat, the ASG demand ransom from the hostages. One of the hostages arranges an easy transfer of the ransom to a bank in Zamboanga, the reason why the group makes a stopover in Lamitan City hospital en route to their hideout in the mountains. A bullet mistakenly shot by one of the ASG leaders at a passing military truck triggers a military assault on the hospital that lasts the whole day the next day.

Amid the firing, three hostages are freed after what is implied as payment of ransom. Four more hostages are taken from the hospital staff when the group leaves, even if the kidnappers release three others with orders to arrange ransom for their loved ones whom the kidnappers are taking with them in the mountains. Two are left behind after being wounded from ambush assault by the militia.

The first natural casualty of the kidnapping is an old Filipina social worker, who dies during the journey. Her companion, Therese Bourgoine, a French social worker, wins a score over the kidnappers when she succeeds in giving Soledad a Christian burial.

On the eve of Philippine Independence Day, the kidnappers beheaded one of the foreign hostages, a result of a failed negotiation with the government.

Finally, the military manages to stage a daring rescue. Only Therese Bourgoine and the missionary Sophie Bernstein are saved alive from the clutches of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Directed by the 2009 Cannes Film Festival Best Director winner, Brillante Ma Mendoza. 

"Taking into account all these factual events, what to me is more essential, is the fact that we are all 'victims' in a larger scheme of things. We become insignificant when placed in a bigger picture, especially when we are faced up with nature's rage." 

- Brillante Mendoza

A Film by Brillante Ma. Mendoza, Official Philippine Entry to the 2012 Berlin International Film Festival.   Will be shown in France / Philippines / Germany / Great Britain. 

Swift Productions in association with Centerstage, B. A. Produktion, Studio 

Eight Productions, Arte France Cinema

This is in 120 minutes In English, Tagalog, French, Tausug, Hookien, Chavacano with English subtitles. Rated “A” by the Cinema Evaluation Board.

Starring Isabelle Hupper, (Two-time Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Awardee) and with special participation of Coco Martin.

With Ronnie Lazaro, Raymond Bagatsing, Sid Lucero, Mon Confiado, Timothy Mabalot, Tado, Neil Ryan Sese, Pipo Alfad, Raul Morit, Perry Dizon, Kristoffer King, Oliver Gaton, Bombi Plata, Raymond Nullan, Lauren Novero, Vince Rillon, Ronaldo Nacianceno, Rustica Carpio, Kathy Mulville, Mercedes Cabral, Mark Zanneta, Peter Overbeeke, Madeline Nicolas, Maria Isabel Lopez, Bianca Zialcita, Bobby Jerome Go, Bernard Palanca, Jon Achaval, Jelyn Chong, Goldilyn Uy, Elizabeth Chua, Archie Adamos, Bea Garcia, Richard Manabat, Boom Latorre, Jess Evardone, Nico Antonio.

The movie is also with Angel Aquino, Allan Paule, Che Ramos, Marinela Lumeran, Anita Linda, Arlyn de la Cruz, Joel Torre, Perry Escaño, Evelyn Vargas-Knaebel, Harold Montano, Micah Muñoz, Cris Garrido

"Captive" will have its Philippine Philippine premiere at SM Pampanga on 02 September 2012.
Gala premiere at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 2 on 03 September 2012. Regular cinema screening starts on 05 September 2012. This is released by Star Cinema.

The 33rd Manila International Book Fair - September 12-16

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It's real a great time for us to enter the world of books, interesting and rare books!  Sometimes, bookstores aren’t supposed to be places where people whisper, where people laugh and gasp but book fairs where people get excited.  They are what book fairs are for. Books are the best friends one can ever have and reading habit gives us a refreshing experience and we come to learn a lot about achievers, great leaders and admirable people.

The Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), the country’s biggest and longest-running book fair, heads back to the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City on Sept. 12-16, once again celebrating the power of the written word.

For 33 years now, the MIBF has certainly stood the test of time.  Weathering economic fluctuations, political scenarios, the changing Filipino lifestyle, and the advent of new technologies, the MIBF has successfully evolved from an event for the industry and the academe into an attraction that draws readers of all ages, from all walks of life. And after three decades, its objective has remained the same: to bring books closer to the Filipino people by promoting good reading habits and providing a venue for the exchange of ideas among the players in the industry.

One of the most anticipated events for students, librarians, the academe, professionals, and bookworms of all persuasions, the MIBF showcases the largest and most varied collection of literature for both leisure and academic reading -- from textbooks, education supplements, general reference, religious and inspirational titles, self-help books, management books, Filipiniana, coffee table books, popular novels, children’s books, art books, graphic novels, rare and hard-to-find titles, magazines, audio and e-books, multimedia, teaching supplies and services, publishers’ technology, and travel materials.

Teachers and school administrators flock to the book fair to scope out new acquisitions for school libraries, as the event is a good venue to compare offerings from various exhibitors and get the best prices for bulk purchases. Book buyers smile from ear to ear as they peruse endless shelves of reading materials, loading up on books to last them well into the coming months. Avid readers make their way through the booths, checking out publishers’ new offerings, and queueing up to get books signed by authors and illustrators.

Peals of laughter and delight ring through the halls as youngsters watch stories come to life in simultaneous storytelling sessions. Eyes light up at the sight of the year’s crop of new books to read, little hands get busy exploring demonstrations of the latest learning technology, and little feet dash to meet their favorite book characters.

Several co-located events are also slated at the MIBF, ensuring added attractions for a wide variety of interests:

The Best of Anime 2012 

(Sept. 15 & 16, Function Room 4 & 5), a festival featuring anime exhibits, gaming, cosplay, concert and special activities that will thrill anime and manga enthusiasts; 

Super Kids 2012 

(Sept. 14-15 , Function Room 3), an early childhood education conference;

Facets of Wellness 

(Sept. 14-15, Function Rooms 1&2), a two-day health and wellness fair.

MIBF runs from Sept. 14-18 at the SMX Convention Center, Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. MIBF is organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. in partnership with Asian Catholic Communicators, Inc., Book Development Association of the Philippines, Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc., and Publishers Representatives Organization of the Philippines. 

For details, call 896-0661 or 896-0682, or e-mail bookfair@primetradeasia.com.

Nurture Spa Rainy Day Promo

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Nurture Spa Village packages offer a choice of Pampering, Romance and Well-being.

Here is a another Rainy Day Promo which includes overnight accommodation, breakfast and Head and Shoulder Massage good for two (2) persons.  

Why not spend your long weekend  in Tagaytay and enjoy a relaxing stay where you can bust that stress away!

The Facets of Wellness

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The Facets of Wellness is a conference and a trade fair on September 14 and 15, 

SMX Convention Center. 

With today’s fast-paced lifestyle, more premium is placed on health and wellness. More and more people are becoming conscious of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and are eager to explore various avenues to achieve it. But more than just a physical state, wellness can also be defined through the environmental, emotional, mental, social, spiritual, financial, and occupational dimensions.

Recogn

izing the various dimensions of wellness, the “Facets of Wellness” is a conference and exhibit co-located at the Manila International Book Fair, Function Rooms 1 and 2, SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, Metro Manila on September 14-15, 2012. 

The focus of this fair is holistic and total wellness in all aspects of life --- physical, environmental, mental, social, spiritual, emotional, occupational and financial. It aims to educate the public about the latest products and services to improve not just physical health, but the overall well-being of a person.

The exhibit will feature various booths from different industries such as medicine, beauty, fashion and lifestyle, fitness, relaxation, food, and books. It will run from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm on both days.

On the other hand, the conference will run from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm on both days at the Function Room 1. Each conference day is divided into a morning and an afternoon session wherein a different aspect of wellness will be highlighted. 

Featured on the morning session of September 14, 2012 is financial and occupational wellness with topics such as healthy money habits and surviving financial storms. In the afternoon, the focus would be physical and environmental wellness. The feature of this session is a Zumba demonstration at 3:00 pm. The morning of September 15, 2012 is all about emotional and spiritual wellness. The afternoon, on the other hand, will focus on mental and social wellness with talks on taking care of your brain and corporate social responsibility.

Parents, children, educators, academicians, health enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, working adults, and the general public are all invited to visit the exhibit and attend the conference.

Come and learn and experience a healthy lifestyle!  

Let us enjoy all that life to the fullest! 

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, 

and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. 

(World Health Organization, 1948)