Pacquiao Day in the Philippines

Early this week, the latest news that came out of the Jobstreet HR mailing list was that May 8 might be declared as a non-working holiday.

Being an employee myself, I was half hoping it would come true. My HR mentors, however, were discussing how the sudden additional holidays negatively impact business through increased or decreased manpower costs. From their information, such holidays are the cause why the Philippines is one of the lowest ranking countries in productivity surveys.

For the good of businesses, Malacanang has clarified that May 8 will be a "day of celebration" for the victory of Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao versus Ricky Hatton, and will still remain a regular working day.

'National day of celebration kay Pacquiao, hindi holiday'

5/5/2009 3:02:57 PM

Nilinaw ngayon ng Malacañang na isang ordinaryong pagdiriwang ang idineklara ng Pangulong Arroyo na  national day of celebration sa pagkapanalo ni Manny Pacquiao kay Ricky Hatton. Sinabi ngayon ni Secretary to the Cabinet Silvestre Bello III, hindi holiday ang araw ng Biyernes, Mayo 8 kung saan darating si Pacquiao. Taliwas ito sa mga naglabasang ulat na non-working holiday sa nasabing araw. Ayon kay Bello, magkakaroon ng motorcade sina Pacquiao bago pumunta sa Palasyo para sa isang luncheon na treat ng Pangulong Arroyo. Samantala, umapela naman ang Malacañang na pabayaan na si Pacman na i-enjoy ang kanyang celebrity status at huwag ng makisawsaw sa kanyang kasikatan. Gayunman, wala umanong magagawa ang Palasyo kung sadyang may mga opisyal na malalapit kay Pacquiao at nais siyang samahan sa pagdiriwang.