Category Archives: Outdoors

Philippine Holiday Guide for 2021

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Here’s the Philippine Holiday guide for 2021 as per PROCLAMATION  NO. 986 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on July 30, 2020.

This will guide you if you have important travel plans for this year. If there are unavoidable travel, please be aware of Covid19 safety and health protocols in the respective areas you will be visiting. It pays to be cautious all the time.

Leisure travel has been affected by the pandemic since last year. With the development in vaccines to combat Covid 19, we hope to be back to “normalcy” by the end of the year.

Date NameType
1 JanFridayNew Year’s DayRegular Holiday
12 FebFridayChinese Lunar New Year’s DaySpecial Non-working Holiday
25 FebThursdayPeople Power AnniversarySpecial Non-working Holiday
1 AprThursdayMaundy ThursdayRegular Holiday
2 AprFridayGood FridayRegular Holiday
3 AprSaturdayBlack SaturdaySpecial Non-working Holiday
9 AprFridayThe Day of ValorRegular Holiday
1 MaySaturdayLabor DayRegular Holiday
12 JunSaturdayIndependence DayRegular Holiday
20 JulTuesdayEid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)Regular Holiday
21 JulWednesdayEid al-Adha Day 2Common local holiday
21 AugSaturdayNinoy Aquino DaySpecial Non-working Holiday
30 AugMondayNational Heroes DayRegular Holiday
1 NovMondayAll Saints’ DaySpecial Non-working Holiday
2 NovTuesdayAll Souls’ DaySpecial Working Holiday
30 NovTuesdayBonifacio DayRegular Holiday
8 DecWednesdayFeast of the Immaculate ConceptionSpecial Non-working Holiday
24 DecFridayChristmas EveSpecial Working Holiday
25 DecSaturdayChristmas DayRegular Holiday
30 DecThursdayRizal DayRegular Holiday
31 DecFridayNew Year’s EveSpecial Working Holiday
Source: https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/philippines/2021

Update: I’ve made some adjustments to the following dates; November 2, December 24, and 31, being declared by Malacañang as Special Working Holidays. A no-work no-pay policy applies on the said dates, according to the government.

Staying Safe on the Water

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Boating is a great way to spend time with the people you care about and to relax. However, safety is paramount to keeping this experience fun. Here are some boating safety tips you should know before going out on the water.

Photo by Mael BALLAND on Unsplash

Put the Life Jacket On

Wearing a life jacket is one of the easiest and most important things you can do to promote boating safety. Be sure to check yours to be sure they are all in good condition before heading out. It’s also important to be sure those going on your boat actually fit the life jackets you have for them.

Keep a Weather Eye Out

Even the nicest, sunniest day can become stormy, so knowing ahead of time what the weather forecast is for the water you plan to be on is important. Make a plan in advance for what you’ll do if a storm pops up and make sure to get off the water if there is lightning.

Check Your Boat Out

You want to be sure your boat is in great working order before taking it out. You want to check all the systems and controls. Be sure you have the proper marine electronic technical support for your electronics. Be sure you have a full gas tank and check all the other fluids the same way you do with your car.

Don’t Go if Impaired

While you are not likely to drink and drive, do you feel the same way about boating? If you haven’t thought about it, you should. Driving a boat is similar to driving a car and the penalties are similar for driving a boat while under the influence.

Taking the time to be prepared for emergencies and knowing your plan in advance will make a big difference in how well you enjoy your next boating trip.

The Three Main Areas of Landscaping

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Whether you are selling your home or simply trying to make it more pleasant for those who already live there, the landscape can have a huge impact. The following are the three main areas of landscaping. 

Photo by James Lewis on Unsplash

Cleanup

Cleaning up your yard is the first place to start. Rake the leaves and pick up any trash. If necessary, pressure wash the driveway. Pressure washers are often available to rent from hardware stores. Consider moving bikes, scooters and other sporting equipment to the garage or a shed. Most play equipment can be cleaned with dish soap and a water hose. If you have a swimming pool, skim it regularly and make sure the water is clear and clean. When the pool is closed, don’t forget to remove debris from the cover.

Hardscaping

Your yard’s hardscape consists of all its hard elements: walkways, patios, fences, etc. Make sure all of the existing structures are in good repair. Replacing cracked paving stones and painting the fence are fairly easy ways to freshen up an outdoor space. If you would like to add to your yard’s hardscape, a service such as masonry Avon MA can help you choose practical and decorative structures that can enhance your yard’s usability and appearance.   

Softscaping

The softscape of a yard includes all of the living elements: grass, trees, flowers, etc. Keep your grass cut and your shrubs trimmed. Remove weeds as needed. Choose plants that complement your overall landscape and thrive in your area. The USDA Hardiness Zones map can help you determine which plants will do well in your yard. 

Any yard can be beautiful. The key is to begin with a clean and tidy area, then strike a balance between the hardscape and landscape. Too much hardscape can make your yard feel cold and commercialized, while too much softscape can make it seem overgrown.