How to Make the Most of 2022 Philippine Holidays

Now that you know the list of holidays for 2022, it’s time to mark your calendars and plan your vacation leaves. Use the long weekends to your advantage. Here are four tips to do so:

Strategically File Your Vacation Leaves

Extend your long weekends by scheduling your vacation leaves close to holidays that fall on weekdays. For example, make the most of Bonifacio Day on November 30 (which falls on a Wednesday) by filing your VL on November 28 and 29 or December 1 and 2 to have a long vacation off work. You’ll also have enough time to visit sites that commemorate Andres Bonifacio.

Do the same for the Christmas Season; file your leaves on the 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, and 29 to enjoy a vacation before Christmas Eve up to New Year’s Day. Besides enjoying the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” your Christmas vacation is your well-deserved rest after a year of working hard.

See when you can file your vacation leaves wisely:

Explore Hidden Gems

The holidays are opportune times to visit heritage sites, nature reserves, and food-tripping hubs. That means notable destinations will be jam-packed with people who also want to make the most of their extended weekend. Instead of going to usual holiday destinations, try exploring hidden gems.

Let’s say you want to visit Rizal Park on Rizal Day on December 30. Since it is part of the Filipino Christmas and New Year holiday seasons, expect the park to be full of people. You may visit the park on an earlier date, such as on December 26 or 27. That way, you’ll avoid a massive crowd while still admiring one of the pivotal figures of our history.

After visiting Rizal Park, use your long weekend to drop by notable sites that played vital roles in Rizal’s life. Go to Fort Santiago, the facade of the University of Santo Tomas, and the Rizal Shrine in Calamba.

Visit the Cemeteries Early

All Saints’ and Souls’ Days, also known as ‘Undas,’ are important dates for many Filipinos. These days are when people visit burial sites to remember their deceased loved ones and bond with relatives. But because of quarantine and travel restrictions, some cemeteries may not allow visits during November 1 and 2, 2022.

To avoid huge crowds and being locked out of the burial sites’ gates:

• Visit your deceased loved ones early.
• Schedule two to three days earlier than November 1 and 2 to have elbow room to move around the park.
• If Undas is a typical family clan reunion for you, skip the large gatherings and schedule each families’ visits to the graves. Doing so will reduce the risk of getting infected while preserving your deceased loved ones’ memories.

Do Your Christmas Shopping Early

Christmas is the season of shopping and giving. It is also when malls and shopping strips are packed with people making their last-minute Noche Buena purchases. Steer clear of the large groups of people by shopping for Christmas presents early. Decide who will be on your list and shop for their gifts at least two weeks in advance before the Christmas peak season arrives.

Or, save yourself time and effort by harnessing online shopping. There are tons of “giftable” items you can find online. Plus, they can be cheaper than store prices, especially if you catch holiday sales and discounts.

Just two more months, and 2021 will come to a close. After a year of coping through the pandemic, remember the challenges you’ve overcome and be eager for the blessings and opportunities 2022 has to offer. Additionally, take the chance to rest and recharge by taking advantage of next year’s holidays. File your vacation leaves to maximize the long weekends.