WE KNOW we have one of the, if not the longest Christmas celebration in the world. Beginning September, the Christmas season is ushered in in the Philippines with the playing of Christmas songs on radio, announcements of holiday sales in the malls, and Christmas bazaars or tiangges in villages and commercial areas.

This 2009, the Christmas season seems even longer. We haven’t had as many nonworking holidays as we have this December. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared December 26, 29, 31 and January 2 as nonworking holidays. December 25 (Christmas Day) and 30 (Rizal Day) are already legal holidays so that makes it an almost whole two-week holiday stretch from December 25 to January 4 for most people.

Most people are happy about it. One banker I spoke to says she is very happy about the long break. “I can have time to be with my family and cook,” she says. Although her bank has declared some branches open during the holidays, a system has been worked out such that employees only have to work for 1 to 2 days during the holidays (at holiday pay rate) since branches take turns being open. “In one area, there will always be a branch that is open to service the needs of the public,” she says. It’s a win-win situation. By keeping its branches open, the workload will not be that much on January 5 since some clients have been serviced during the holidays. Employees, by working for 1 to 2 days, get to earn more, yet still enjoy some days off.

But for a software executive, the long holiday break is just too much. “It’s not okay. It used to be that companies have a day or two after Christmas with which to close contracts before the year ends. This year, most customers went on leave after the 19th. So some year-end targets were not met, and we’ll be rushing come January.”

Holidays were designed to commemorate special events and allow people to celebrate the occasion with their loved ones. Some want more holidays, some want less. Whatever you prefer, here’s wishing you a happy new year! Here’s to a great 2009!