Calling all kapamilyas- Niles North’s Filipino Club will be competing in this year’s Battle of the Bamboo: Ating Simula this Saturday, February 20. University of Illinois at Chicago’s cultural club, Filipino in Alliance (FIA), are happy to announce their annual showcase, Battle of the Bamboo (BOTB). FIA’s theme for this year’s showcase is Ating Simula, which translates to “Our Beginning”. This year’s battle focuses on the growing diverse cultures of the Philippines, highlighting the religion, traditions, and identities of the Philippine people.

“Battle of the Bamboo is a time for various groups to come together and celebrate and honor the diverse culture of the Philippines and our ancestors’ roots through cultural dances and song. It’s an enriching opportunity to learn and form bonds while having a little bit of friendly competition,” Franzel Siron, senior, said.

Alongside Niles North’s Filipino Club, other competitors will include Northside College Prep, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Loyola University Chicago, University of Michigan, and Saint Louis University. BOTB will also include exhibition acts from various groups such as Dream Team, FIA Modern, Primo Dance Troupe, Lane Tech’s Kapamilya Habang Buhay, Depaul University’s ACE Cultural, and Northern Illinois University’s Kilusan.

“Last year, Filipino Club was really close to placing in the top three for Battle of the Bamboo. This year, not only did we make it a goal to place, but as a family we wanted to come together and bond through our practices and enjoy the experiences we form with one another,” Sally Le, sophomore, said.

Come support Niles North’s Filipino Club in Battle of the Bamboo 2016 this Saturday, February 20. The competition will be located at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Forum at 725 Roosevelt Rd. Chicago, IL 60607. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show will promptly begin at 5:30 p.m.