Black Saturday a holiday

President Arroyo has declared Black Saturday a special non-working day as the nation observes Holy Week.

The President and her family, meanwhile, will be in Baguio City where they traditionally spend part of Holy Week. She also invited the members of her Cabinet to a spiritual retreat today and tomorrow.

Mrs. Arroyo, who is a devout Catholic, stressed that the observance of Holy Week is one of the people’s most cherished traditions, the Philippines being predominantly Catholic.

"Our people must be given the full and uninterrupted opportunity to ponder on the significance of the Holy Week and to properly observe its traditions with religious fervor, without prejudice to public interest," the President said in her Proclamation No. 1048 dated April 7.

Black Saturday has been declared a special day nationwide in the past.

Most government and private offices are already closed by Thursday and work resumes on Black Saturday for some business organizations.

Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday are official holidays.

The Holy Week observance started yesterday in which Christians reflect on the sacrifices made by Jesus Christ to save mankind.

Meanwhile on Thursday, the President will conduct her annual "Visita Iglesia" or visit to different churches in Baguio City.

The President and her family will have their private time beginning Good Friday until Easter Sunday. She and her family sometimes visit tourist spots in nearby provinces and dine in restaurants with other people.

On April 17, she will lead the inauguration and tour of the newly renovated ward of the Baguio City General Hospital. — Aurea Calica