ANA celebrates Tanabata Festival in NAIA
A booth with two bamboo branches decorated with colourful paper strips stands at the entrance of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) 3 Departure area as All Nipon Airways (ANA) commemorates the Tanabata Festival, a traditional Japanese event that happens every 7th of July.
TEAM ANA joins the annual celebration of the Tanabata Festival, also known as the Japan Star Festival on July 7 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Tanabata is said to have originated from a Chinese legend, and then later on practiced by the Japanese. It tells a story about two bright stars: Vega (Orihime), a weaving girl; and Altair (Hikoboshi), a cowherd boy who were once in love with each other. They have so much fun together that they stop working hard which makes the king angry. They are separated by the big river, amanogawa and were only allowed to see each other every 7th of July. Thus, the Tanabata Festival.
TANZAKU. Lots of passengers wished for world peace and safe flights while others wished for a more personal desire.
Passengers at NAIA, children and adults alike, participated in the event and wrote their wishes in colourful paper strips, and hung them in bamboo branches called Tanzaku, which is usually placed at a backyard or entrance of a house. It is believed that these wishes will come true with the help of strong prayers.
BEAUTIFUL PASSENGER SERVICE AGENTS in colourful Kimono welcome the passengers in their brightest smiles, asking them if they want to write a wish and hang it on the Tanzaku for the Tanabata Festival.
ANA agents were very grateful to those who continually supports this special event. “Team ANA [has been] joining in different Japanese practices and traditions, including the Tanabata, here in NAIA since 2011,” said one of the passenger service agents in the booth.
HAPPY PASSENGER. While it is free to hang a wish on the tanzaku, this passenger is very hopeful that all his wishes come true.
The Tanabata booths will be present at the 2nd floor of NAIA gate 3, departure area from July 7 to 8. All the Tanzaku collected in this event will be dedicated to Ashikaga Orihime Shrine on Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.
