In line with the amended Proclamation No. 42, Proclamation No. 90 declares November 27, 2023 a regular holiday. This is in line with the annual commemoration of Andrés Bonifacio’s birth.

Filipino workers and students may enjoy a day off from this day, honoring one of the country’s great heroes. It is a rest day for the general population, where even most businesses are closed. Meanwhile, employees covered by the Holiday Pay Rule are entitled to their daily basic wage for any unworked regular holiday.

A look back: Why do we celebrate Bonifacio?

Bonifacio Day is celebrated in the Philippines to honor the memory of Andrés Bonifacio, who was born on November 30, 1863. Despite growing up in an impoverished household with limited formal education, Bonifacio was well-read and deeply influenced by various revolutionary ideas. 

He was inspired by the French Revolution, American leaders’ biographies, and Filipino literature, including José Rizal’s Noli Me Tángere and foreign novels like Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables.

Unlike José Rizal, who aimed to reform Spanish rule in the Philippines, Bonifacio sought complete independence from Spain. In 1892, he secretly founded the Katipunan, an organization with the full name “Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan” (Supreme and Venerable Association of the Children of the Nation). 

The Katipunan began slowly but later amassed 100,000 to 400,000 members before its discovery. It had branches not only in Manila but also in other regions, such as central Luzon and the islands of Mindoro and Mindanao.

Bonifacio’s leadership in the Katipunan was vital in the Philippines’ quest for independence, earning him a revered place in history. However, a challenge arose when a young revolutionary from Cavite, Emilio Aguinaldo, emerged, sparking a rivalry for leadership. 

This division resulted in two factions, the Magdalo under Aguinaldo and the Magdiwang under Bonifacio. A violent confrontation escalated, culminating in the tragic events of May 10, 1897, where Aguinaldo’s men killed Bonifacio and his brother.

See the list of the remaining regular and special non-working holidays in the Philippines in 2023 below:

Regular holidays:

• Christmas Day – December 25, 2023 (Monday)
• Rizal Day – December 30, 2023 (Saturday)

Special non-working days:

• Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary – December 8, 2023 (Friday)
• Last Day of the Year – December 31, 2023 (Sunday)

Sources: (1), (2)

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Also Read: LIST: November 2023 Holidays in the Philippines