December 8th is now an official holiday in the Philippines

On December 28, 2017, the current President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, signed a decree declaring... "December 8th to be observed each year as a special holiday throughout the country, to commemorate the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the patron saint of the Philippines."

In the Philippines, the feast of the Immaculate Conception was not, until now, part of the calendar of public holidays. Christmas Day (December 25th) and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (January 1st) were already holidays, to allow Catholics to participate in the Mass.

Speaking before the Senate, Senator Vicente C. Sotto III emphasized the faith of Filipinos, of whom at least 80.58% belong to the Catholic Church according to the 2016 statistics, and the popular devotion to the Virgin Mary, as evidenced by "the festivities organized by every city in honor of the Blessed Virgin, all year long."

Signed by President Duterte, this decree making December 8th a holiday will come into effect in 2018.

Mepasie.org