History of Celebrating Father's Day in the Philippines

Father's Day in the Philippines has its own history of celebration. For starters, it wasn't always celebrated on the third Sunday of June, which is now the international date to celebrate the special occasion paying tribute to fatherhood and every father's paternal love and sacrifices.

Interested in knowing how Father's Day in the Philippines began to be celebrated alongside its entire history? Here, we'll zero in on how this important holiday came into existence in the country, and how best we could celebrate it this 2023.

History of Celebrating Father's Day

Father's Day celebrations originated in the United States. It was reported to have been the brainchild of Sonora Smart Dodd from Spokane, Washington when she was listening to a religious sermon on Mother's Day, which was then already emerging as a holiday in the US.

Local religious leaders then echoed the idea of having a Mother's Day counterpart, and the first Father's Day officially started on June 10, 1910, the birth month of Dodd's father, a Civil War veteran who singlehandedly raised six children after the mother died during childbirth.

In 1924, US President Calvin Coolidge expressed his support for the observance. But it was not until 1966 under the Lyndon Johnson administration that a proclamation was issued to recognize Father's Day. It ultimately became a national holiday in 1972 under President Richard Nixon, who approved and signed a legislative measure designating the third Sunday of June as the annual date to commemorate Father's Day.

History of Celebrating Father's Day in the Philippines

Mother's Day was first to be observed in the Philippines in the early 1920s. The Ilocos Norte Federation of Women's Clubs appealed to Governor-General Charles Yeater to proclaim the first Monday of December as Mother's Day to give honor and pride to Filipino mothers.

Granting the women's appeal, the American Governor-General then issued Circular No. 33 designating every December's first Monday to be the Mother's Day celebration.

On the other hand, it wasn't until the 1980s that Father's Day began to gain traction in the Philippines. President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. issued Proclamation No. 2037, declaring the first Sunday of December as Father’s Day, while Filipinos celebrated Mother’s Day on the first Monday.

However, during President Corazon Aquino’s term, "Araw ng mga Ina" was moved to the first Monday of May, while "Araw ng mga Ama" was changed to every third Sunday of June.

Under Presidential Proclamation No. 266, meanwhile, it declares the second Sunday of May as Mother's Day while Father's Day falls on every third Sunday of June.

On the other hand, the annual celebration's date was again changed during President Joseph "Erap" Estrada's regime under Proclamation No. 58, which put the national observance back to the first Monday of December. It became a joint celebration of parenthood, which encompassed both fathers and mothers.

Despite the few changes to the date through the years, it has since become more consistent to celebrate Father's Day every third Sunday of June and Mother's Day every second Sunday of May, in line with international observance dates. This 2023, Father's Day is set to be officially celebrated globally on June 18. In 2024, it will be on June 16.

How is Father's Day Celebrated in the Philippines?

Filipinos don't just greet "Happy Father's Day!" to one's father. Instead, we honor fathers, father figures, as well as grandfathers, uncles, and just about anyone that one knows is a father.

Many Filipinos send Father's Day greeting cards to their respective fathers, give them dad-themed gifts, cook sumptuous food at home as if it's their father's birthday, or treat them to a quick weekend getaway to celebrate the national holiday.

Celebrating Father's Day at a Local Tourist Destination

But if you plan to go outdoors to treat Dad, then heading to a local tourist destination is a wise decision for your dad to relax. Consider tourist spots near Lumina Homes communities, such as:

Biak-na-Bato National Park in San Miguel. This historical site used to be the headquarters of Katipuneros fighting the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. Now, it's a popular Bulacan tourist spot for its natural attractions, such as its marvelous caverns, relaxing waterfalls, and awe-inspiring summit views.

Urbiztondo Beach in La Union. With only around 12 minutes from Lumina San Juan, Urbiztondo Beach is one of the most popular beaches in La Union, a province known for being the North's Surfing Capital. This could serve as your short, post-summer vacation on Father's Day.

Kart City in Tarlac. If you want to bond with your father over kart racing, then Kart City in Tarlac is the perfect Father's Day destination that the whole family can go to. This kid-friendly place in Tarlac is strategically located just in front of SM Tarlac, which you could go to for shopping and treat your Dad after your thrilling adventure at Kart City.

Negros Museum in Bacolod. In Visayas, the City of Smiles has some of the most frequented tourist spots in the region. If your dad is a certified art enthusiast, then a visit to the Negros Museum is utter perfection. The museum is home to some antique relics as well as modern works by the province's cherished artists.

Celebrating Father's Day in the Comfort of One's Home

There's no denying the selfless sacrifices of fathers, and it is only right to reward them with an international holiday that will make them feel loved and immensely appreciated.

If you are to celebrate Father's Day at home, there are fun dad-themed activities that you and the whole family can enjoy. It can be a movie night watching a dad-picked film, a karaoke session singing dad's favorite songs, a game day playing dad's favorite physical and online sports, or a simple but intimate dinner with dad's favorite meals with a bottle of champagne.

Lumina Homes, the affordable house and lot segment of Vista Land & Lifescapes, is the perfect home investment to celebrate Father's Day 2023. Our amenities such as a basketball court and a jogging path cater to fathers who aspire to lead an active lifestyle after a tiring week at work.

Our communities nationwide are also rest assured to be near important establishments and institutions, such as schools, hospitals, clinics, supermarkets, local tourist spots, accessible public transportation, and more. This makes Lumina a self-sustaining community that will help make homeownership less hassle for its residents.

If you're eyeing your future home in an excellently situated neighborhood, then an affordable house and lot for sale with Lumina Homes will fit your housing and lifestyle needs. Claim your own house and lot in the Philippines just in time for Father's Day celebration. Contact us today!