MANILA, Philippines — Baguio City is taking part in this year’s celebration of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month with a wide array of activities to further raise the local community’s awareness in Japanese culture and traditions.

The festivities are celebrated in the month of July to commemorate the designation of July 23 as Philippines-Japan Friendship Day in the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries in 2006.

Baguio takes part in the celebrations with a program entitled, “Over the Milky Way'" that takes its cue from the tanabata festival celebrated every 7th of July in Japan.

Following the success of the first tanabata festival held in 2010, the Japanese custom will be celebrated once again in Baguio this year.

As per tradition, children will be asked to write their wishes on colorful strips of paper to adorn bamboo trees, akin to decorations hung on Christmas trees. In addition, origami will also be taught, followed by the much-anticipated cosplay.

A select line up of 12 Japanese films will be screened from June 27 to July 15 in Benguet State University, University of Baguio, Saint Louis University, University of the Cordilleras and University of the Philippines – Baguio.

Another film showing will run from July 18 to 27 at the Baguio Museum.