Independence Day in the Philippines

When is Independence Day in Philippines?

Independence Day in Philippines is on June 12, 2025. It falls on Thursday.

How many days until Independence Day in Philippines?

There are 244 Days left until Independence Day in the Philippines.

Is Independence Day a public holiday in Philippines?

Independence Day, locally known as Araw ng Kalayaan in the Philippines, is one of the significant holidays held in the country. It is an annual celebration that takes place every 12th day of June which marks the Philippines’ declaration of freedom in 1898 from Spain who colonized the country for 333 years. It is widely commemorated as a national public holiday where most businesses and establishments observe a day off. Government offices and educational institutions are usually closed on this day. Some restaurants, shops, and malls may choose to open, while others may choose not to.

Origin

Why did Spain colonize the Philippines?

Spanish people were seeking lands rich in spices and wanted to spread Christianity. As they wanted to widen the Spanish territories, they began to travel the world, and it happened that Philippines have these spices. On 1521, Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer discovered that Philippines is rich in gold, land, and spices. On March 16, 1521, Magellan and his men arrived in one of the islands located in Leyte, Philippines. Out of the five ships they brought, only two ships landed at noon and made it to the Limasawa island. After making it to the Limasawa island, they landed in Cebu City where Ferdinand Magellan and his men met Rajah Humabon, the Rajah of the city at that time. Later on, they agreed on baptizing the Cebuanos and get converted to Christianity. The Spaniards have succeeded in converting most of the Filipinos to Christianity. As soon as it happened, they built a Christian church.

The Independence of the Philippines

During the mid-16th century, Philippines was under the Spanish Empire. The country was colonized for 333 years from the period of 1565 until 1898. A Filipino revolutionary group called “Katipunan”, mainly led by Andres Bonifacio, was then secretly made. Its members are men who seek for complete freedom which includes Emilio Jacinto, Restituto Javier, and a few more Katipuneros. It was in 1896 when Filipinos seek independence from the Spanish colonizers, and soon, a revolution broke out. An agreement was then signed on December 14, 1897 between the Spanish government and Filipino Revolutionaries to end the Philippine Revolution.

However, on May 1, 1898, the United States Armed Forces, headed by George Dewey, defeated the Spanish colonial government in the Battle of Manila Bay. Emilio Aguinaldo, the president of the country during the Spanish-American War, cooperated with the Americans and proclaimed June 12, 1898 as the Independence Day at the Aguinaldo House. The Philippine flag was raised for the first time by Emilio Aguinaldo. On August 4, 1964, Former President Diosdado Macapagal signed a bill declaring June 12, 1898 as the Independence Day of the Philippines under the Republic Act no. 4166.


Independence Day Traditions in the Philippines

Flag making for students

Before the exact observance of the holiday, students are asked to make a Philippine flag out of papers and sticks. Flags are needed to be colored to represent the country’s independence. These flags are usually placed in the hallways and are graded. The colors in the Philippine flag had its own meaning. The blue color at the top represents peace, truth, and justice while the red color at the bottom represents patriotism and valor. The white triangle represents blood compact and the three stars represent the three principal islands of the Philippines – Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The sun located at the center of the triangle has its own eight rays which symbolize the eight provinces that fought against the Spanish colonial rule – that include Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Tarlac, and Batangas. The flag has its powerful meaning so there is no way it would be changed.

Military Parade

The celebration is marked by a festive parade organized in the capital city of the country, Manila. The Police and Military parade often include a speech from the President. A 21-gun salute is also done during the event. Many Filipinos would attend the parade along with students, government officials, and civilians. Security services are heightened since gatherings are expected all throughout the country. Some Filipinos would choose to spend the holiday in malls and parks with their families. Majority are given a day off on this day, so many Filipinos may also choose to stay and rest at home.

Dates of Observance for Independence Day
Year Date Day Holiday
2025 June 12 Thursday Independence Day
2026 June 12 Friday Independence Day
2027 June 12 Saturday Independence Day
2028 June 12 Monday Independence Day
2029 June 12 Tuesday Independence Day
2030 June 12 Wednesday Independence Day
Upcoming Philippines Holidays
Holiday Date
All Saints' Day November 01, 2024
All Souls' Day November 02, 2024
Bonifacio Day November 30, 2024
Other things you might find helpful:
Yearly calendar with Philippines Holidays

Download or print free 2024 calendar which includes the list of holidays in United States. Free holiday calendar templates in more than 130 countries are provided in PDF, Excel, and Microsoft Word format. For those who like to get a calendar that starts on Monday, we also have ISO calendar.


Monthly Calendar with Philippines Holidays

The October 2024 monthly calendar for the United States shows the holidays for the month, which is helpful in planning schedule and events in reference to the upcoming holidays in the US. It is available in PDF, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel formats. You may select your preferred orientation and preferred start of week since we have Monday start calendar or Sunday start calendar.


Printable 2024 List of Holidays in Philippines

If you are looking for just a list of holidays in the United States for the year 2024, we have that available in PDF, Word and Excel formats. This can be helpful for those who like to keep track of the holidays, be it for travel, work or any other purposes. It is free to use, just like the rest of our templates. You can choose from Letter, Legal and A4 paper sizes.