By Brian Campued
What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2026?
Whether it’s about personal growth, career, finances, or relationships—Filipinos are urged to prioritize being time-conscious and adopting healthy habits for a more successful year ahead.
Every year, from Jan. 1 to 7, the Philippines observes the National Time Consciousness Week, which aims to promote punctuality among the populace and instill discipline and respect for each other’s time.
The week-long observance is marked by the synchronization of all timepieces across the nation based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) precise time scale system, as mandated by Republic Act No. 10535 or The Philippine Standard Time (PhST) Act of 2013.
PAGASA is designated as the official timekeeper in the country.
Historical roots
However, did you know that “Filipino time” may also be linked to Philippine history?
In an interview on “Radyo Siyensya”, which was aired over Radyo Pilipinas on Dec. 27, 2025, historian Prof. Xiao Chua noted that before the Philippines was colonized, ancient Filipinos followed a “spatial” concept of time or based on the sun’s position, the phases of the moon, or cycles of the harvest season.
“Kapag konsepto ng panahon, hindi siya definite—spatial. Kapag tumitingin ka sa isang araw noon, hindi mo sinasabing alas kuwatro, alas tres, ang sinasabi mo [ay] takipsilim, dapithapon, tanghaling-tapat,” Chua said.
This more “relaxed” perception of time may have been aggravated by colonialism, the historian said, as high-ranking officials during the Spanish era would intentionally arrive late to theater shows or events to emphasize their importance in society.
“According to Prof. Dr. Augusto De Viana ng UST (University of Santo Tomas), yung pagiging late ng mga opisyales natin noong panahon ng Spanish ay status symbol,” Chua said.
He added that according to researchers, American colonial administrators later used the term “Filipino time” to characterize the “lazy” behavior of Filipinos.
Other factors that also contribute to the “Filipino time” culture include poverty, which forces many people to work beyond eight hours or juggle multiple jobs just to make ends meet, and severe traffic that negatively affects economic productivity.
Filipino time is on time
Aside from synchronizing your timepieces and devices to the PhST, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is also calling on the public to practice responsible time management to improve productivity in our everyday lives.
One way to avoid being late, according to DOST, is to plan your work and personal activities by creating daily or weekly schedules. It may also help to keep a time log to determine how you spend your time, including those spent due to traffic and transportation issues.
Filipinos are also encouraged to practice mindfulness to improve focus and decision-making, thereby reducing time lost on unimportant matters.
Chua also stressed the importance of “saying no” when you no longer cannot accomplish the amount of work being given to you in time.
While the Filipino habit of being late may seem impossible to change, Chua and the DOST noted that the mindset can still be shifted to highlight the positive side of being on time.
“By choosing to be on Oras Pinas, one is not just following the time but showing respect to fellow Filipinos and helping the economy grow,” the agency said.
Be health-conscious
Meanwhile, as most of us have indulged in eating during the holidays, the Department of Health (DOH) urged everybody to put a premium on health this 2026.
The DOH emphasized that preventive habits remain crucial in reducing fatal complications from non-communicable diseases during the holiday season, as well as renewed its call for safer travel habits.
Among the healthy habits that authorities promote to ensure your well-being and safety are as follows:
- Eat healthy and stay active
- Observe proper water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)
- Get vaccinated
- Avoid vices
- Care for others
- Practice safe sex
- Use road safety gears
Further, as of 5:00 a.m. on Friday, the DOH has recorded a total of 1,113 cases of road crash-related injuries—including seven fatalities—based on reports from its 68 sentinel hospitals.
Around 288 cases of heart attack, stroke, and bronchial asthma were likewise recorded from Dec. 21 to 31, 2025, including five deaths, based on data from 10 pilot sites.
-jpv
