PHL consulate general in Hong Kong closed May 1, 6

The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong will be closed on May 1 and 6, in observance of holidays in the Philippines and Hong Kong.

In an advisory, the Consulate General said it will be closed on Labor Day, May 1, considered a regular holiday in the Philippines.

But it also said it will be closed on May 6, Tuesday, to mark Buddha's birthday.

Hong Kong observes Buddha's birthday on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board said the holiday traces its roots to a legend where nine dragons sprayed water to bathe the baby Buddha at birth.

"To commemorate this, at Buddhist temples across the city, devotees gather to pay their respects to this revered deity by bathing statues of him in bowls of water. The ritual is believed to aid in the purification of one’s soul. One of the grandest ceremonies is held at the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, home of the Big Buddha," it said.

It added celebrants before and after the Birthday of Buddha eat bitter special green cookies. "(E)ating them represents passing through hardship to enjoy better things," it said.

No overseas employment certificate will be issued on the two dates, the consulate general said.

However, Filipinos in an emergency can call the consulate general at 9155-4023, 6080-8323 (labor), and 6325-9324 (OWWA).

They can also contact it via email (hongkong@philcongen-hk.com) or fax at 2866-9885. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News

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