By: Nicole Dominique Flora, UC-LLS
The UC Language Department, together with the Language and Literature Society (LLS) and in partnership with the Filipino-Japanese Foundation of Northern Luzon Inc. (Abong), celebrated this year’s Tanabata Festival—also known as the Star Festival—on July 10, 2024, at the UC Theater.
Anchored on the University’s commitment to cultural sustainability and global engagement, the festival highlighted the role of language and cultural exchange in promoting mutual understanding and environmental mindfulness—core values of education and community participation.
The event was formally opened by Mr. Arnel Cabanisas, Executive Director of Abong, and Dr. Durezza De Jesus–Basil, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, who both underscored the importance of celebrating traditions that connect people, promote intercultural learning, and strengthen sustainable communities.
Following the opening, Ms. Rowena Okabe, faculty coordinator for Japanese Language, shared the origins and significance of the Star Festival, tracing its roots in Japanese folklore and its relevance in today’s context of cultural preservation and environmental harmony.
The centerpiece of the celebration was the Bamboo Decoration Competition, which encouraged students to express their creativity using eco-friendly and reusable materials. The use of bamboo—a symbol of growth and sustainability—echoed the University’s advocacy for green practices and responsible resource use. Students from various departments collaborated in designing bamboo displays that integrated Filipino and Japanese cultural symbols, representing both diversity and unity.
At the culmination of the event, the following winners were recognized for their artistic innovation and sustainable craftsmanship:
- Bamboo Award: CITCS 2A
- Grand Prize: BS Criminology 2C – featuring Sakura-inspired bamboo art
- Gold Award: TIM 2A
- Silver Award: CITCS 2G
- Bronze Award: CE III 3B-F
The event not only strengthened students’ appreciation of Asian cultural heritage but also demonstrated how art, tradition, and environmental awareness can intersect in meaningful ways.
The successful celebration was made possible through the collaboration of Abong, the CAS Language Department, and the faculty team—Dr. Lety Chawag, Ms. Maria Anita Ferrer, Ms. Rowena Okabe, Ms. Werona Suiluj Pader, and Ms. Alicia Isabelle Zabat—who guided their students throughout the activity.
The Tanabata Festival 2024 stands as a model of culture-based sustainability education, fostering global citizenship, ecological responsibility, and a deeper sense of community within the University of the Cordilleras.
