No, Thanksgiving is not currently celebrated as an official holiday in the Philippines. However, the holiday has an interesting history in the country and some Filipinos still observe it informally.

Historical Background

The Philippines celebrated Thanksgiving as an official public holiday during its time as a U.S. colony from 1901 to 1946. President Manuel Quezon even declared it an official local holiday in 1935, celebrated on the same day as the United States. During the Japanese occupation, Filipinos and Americans continued to celebrate Thanksgiving secretly, and after World War II ended in 1945, the tradition continued as a special public holiday from 1944 to 1965.

In 1973, President Ferdinand Marcos revived the holiday but moved it to September 21 to coincide with his declaration of martial law. This controversial celebration continued until Marcos was ousted in 1986, after which Thanksgiving ceased to be an official holiday because of its association with the martial law period.

Modern Observance

While no longer an official public holiday, some Filipinos still celebrate Thanksgiving informally, especially those with family ties in the United States. Some restaurants create special Thanksgiving menus featuring traditional dishes like roast turkey and cranberry sauce. Filipinos who choose to observe the holiday often put a local spin on it by incorporating traditional Filipino dishes alongside American classics.