Malacañang cancels August 23, 2010 non-working holiday

While I agree that keeping the holiday on the day of the actual holiday preserves the solemnity of the observance, I believe Malacañang was very inconsiderate in issuing Proclamation No. 13 stating that "Ninoy Aquino Day shall be observed this year as a nationwide special (non-working) holiday on 21 August 2010 (Saturday) instead of August 23."

Holiday economics has induced people to plan their travel early. I personally have booked tickets on the previously scheduled long-weekends this month. It's totally naive of Malacañang to think that most people plan their travel back home to the provinces or for recreation just a few days before a holiday. What do they want our countrymen to do, forfeit their plane, ferry or bus tickets? Cancel paid hotel bookings? Take leaves from work or absent kids from school because of long-scheduled family vacations? Could this be a result of the executive disorder the Philippine Daily Inquirer was talking about?

Any changes to holiday economics should be done next year. And policy has to be made clear so people would not anticipate any more long-weekends. Unless the president wants to be accused of siding with business interests again, I do hope he reconsiders this decision because many of our countrymen are looking forward to these long-weekends later this month.

Update (08/13/10): According to Malacañang, August 30 will remain a non-working holiday in observance of National Heroes Day.

Index of Declared Structures and Sites updated 08/05/2010

As you all know, I've compiled a list of structures and sites declared by law or by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), National Historical Institute (NHI), or National Museum (NM). And as new sites and structures are declared, I update the list. This week, we got the latest list from the Cultural Properties Division of the National Museum.


The additions to the list include new National Cultural Treasures: Manila Metropolitan Theater (Manila) which is also a National Historical Landmark, Bonifacio Monument (Caloocan City) which is also a National Monument, Main Building, Central Seminary, Arch of the Centuries and Open Spaces of the University of Sto. Tomas (Manila) and the Santa Cruz Church (Maribojoc, Bohol) which was previously an Important Cultural Property.


For Important Cultural Property, there is one new declaration, the Parish Church Complex of Santa Monica (Sarrat, Ilocos Norte).

Misamis Occidental: Our Town Cafe's chorizo taco in Oroqiueta City

While we were driving around Oroquieta City, I noticed a sign which said Our Town Cafe but didn't give it second thought. I should have! That evening, my host received a text message that I should try out the Chorizo Taco at Our Town Cafe. It was my last night in Oroquieta so it was now or never. But we got the number of the cafe when it was about to close.

It was funny since we pleaded with the owner to prepare one serving of the Chorizo Taco since I really wanted to try it out before leaving Oroquieta. After some convincing, the owner relented and we were to proceed to the restaurant in 20 minutes.

We were met by the owner Renee Evangelista who brought out a plate with two soft shell tacos. At Php80 per serving, that's Php40 a taco, it was a bargain! And the Chorizo Taco was really good and it definitely made our night! They make the Spanish chorizo and soft taco shells themselves. Plus they add a cream sauce to go with the taco which makes it taste even better.

They also serve barbecue and ribs, Spanish rice and frozen chorizo if you want to take home some. Too bad I couldn't order anymore since it was way beyond closing time. I'll definitely come back!

Special thanks to MJ and Sim Moneva for being such gracious hosts during my stay in Oroquieta City!