Holiday detail
Maundy Thursday
Also known as Huwebes Santo.
Maundy Thursday opens the most solemn stretch of Holy Week, remembering the Last Supper and Christ's call to serve.
Quick facts
Filipino name
Huwebes Santo
Also known as Maundy Thursday in English.
Huwebes Santo is Filipino for 'Holy Thursday' (huwebes = Thursday, santo = holy). It's the Thursday of Holy Week, when Christians remember the Last Supper.
Meaning and traditions
Maundy Thursday — Huwebes Santo — remembers the Last Supper and Christ washing the feet of the disciples. It's the day Holy Week shifts from preparation into something quieter and heavier, and for a lot of us it's also the real start of the long break from work or school.
Common practices: Visita Iglesia (the rounds of seven churches), Pabasa, foot-washing rites, and skipping meat. For planning, this is one of the most reliable long stretches of the year — Maundy Thursday almost always chains with Good Friday, Black Saturday, and the weekend, which is why we see provincial buses fill up days in advance.
Long-weekend note
This holiday creates a 4-day weekend from April 2-5, 2026.
No extra leave day is needed for this break.
Frequently asked questions
When is Maundy Thursday in 2026?
Maundy Thursday 2026 falls on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
What does Maundy Thursday mean?
Maundy Thursday — Huwebes Santo — remembers the Last Supper and Christ washing the feet of the disciples. It's the day Holy Week shifts from preparation into something quieter and heavier, and for a lot of us it's also the real start of the long break from work or school. Also called Huwebes Santo.
What does Huwebes Santo mean in English?
Huwebes Santo is Filipino for 'Holy Thursday' (huwebes = Thursday, santo = holy). It's the Thursday of Holy Week, when Christians remember the Last Supper.
Is Maundy Thursday a regular or special holiday in the Philippines?
It's a regular holiday — a non-working day with full pay protections under the Labor Code.
Does Maundy Thursday 2026 make a long weekend?
Yes. Maundy Thursday 2026 forms a 4-day weekend from April 2-5, 2026. You don't need to file any leave.
What are common traditions for Maundy Thursday in the Philippines?
Common observances: church visits, pabasa, foot-washing rites, fasting.