Copernicus Center HappeningsContentment under the STARS

Battle of The Bamboo 2025 Umaasa | Celebration of Hope

► DATE:  Saturday, February 22nd, 2025  TIME:  05:30 p.m.

► Copernicus Center Doors Open:  4:00 p.m.

Tickets: $17 – $27
Obstructed seats: $32

Competition:
Loyola University Chicago’s KAPWA
Marquette University’s Kultura
Niles North High School’s Kapit Bayan Cultural
Northside College Preparatory High School’s Isang Hakbang
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s PSA Barkada
University of Michigan Ann-Arbor’s FASA Pamana

Exhibition:
University of Illinois at Chicago’s FIA Cultural
University of Illinois at Chicago’s FIA’Liwan
University of Illinois at Chicago’s FIA Modern
Lane Tech College Preparatory High School’s Kapamily Habang Buhay
Chicago Onyx Dance Academy

Battle of the Bamboo (BOTB) is a cultural dance showcase that has been hosted by Filipinos in Alliance (FIA) at the University of Illinois Chicago since 2003. Performers illustrate generational stories and retell them through a diverse collection of dances rooted in the Philippines. Now, in 2025, Filipinos in Alliance will be hosting our 22nd annual Battle of the Bamboo. This event has grown to attract thousands of spectators who attend to watch competing dance groups from high school and collegiate institutions, as well as a handful of performing exhibition groups. We all come together via our shared love for Filipino culture. Filipinos in Alliance and the 2025 Battle Council are proud to present this year’s theme: “Umaasa | Celebration of Hope.”

Another year of change has come upon us. Despite coming out of these difficult times of pandemic life and everlasting sociocultural dynamics, we continue to come back stronger every year. Battle of the Bamboo defines such growth and resilience; through this annual culmination of cultural appreciation, we have seen this event, and the people that make it happen, flourish extensively. We are unified, not only through the research that everyone puts into their performances, but also through the passion that it takes to perform on stage. We are also brought together via the learning, sharing, and reminiscing of Filipino culture and our own respective roots. We perform on and off the Battle of the Bamboo stage: in the preparation that our performers, sponsors, volunteers, and council members execute, in the audience members that come out to watch our visions come to life, and in the everyday push of our dreams and goals. Our shared passions and interests drive us to make BOTB a vibrant and connective space amongst friends, family, and peers. This year, we honor and reflect on Bacolod’s Masskara Festival to set aside our struggles and unite in joy, reminding us of the power a community has in the face of adversity.

Umaasa – Tagalog (v.) to hope for; to anticipate

Umaasa illustrates the spirit of Bacolod’s Masskara Festival, serving as a powerful testament to the ability to rise above adversity through creative and communal celebrations that originated from a time of economic hardship. Though inherent in the Filipino spirit, the vibrant masks worn during this celebration allow people from all walks of life to temporarily put aside their struggles and immerse themselves in joy and unity. This lively environment fosters the collective spirit of Umaasa and solidarity for social barriers to dissolve, highlighting the everlasting optimism the people of Bacolod emanate. Through the ardent appreciation of Filipino culture, this year’s Battle of the Bamboo serves as a poignant reminder to persevere in preserving a sense of community and unity amongst performers, spectators, and organizers. Alongside prospering our rich heritage, by celebrating local traditions and universal values of hope, even in the face of uncertainty and adversity.

Sponsors:

Filipinos in Alliance at UIC – FIA (www.fiauic.org)
Midwest Association of Filipino Americans – MAFA
Philippine American Cultural Foundation – PACF
AZA Essentials
The PUSO Foundation
Kabataan Alliance
National Alliance for Filipino Concerns – NAFCON
Anakbayan at UIC
Tita Mia’s Filipino Restaurant & Cafe
Sterling Insurance

Contact info: 708 – 691 -6942 (Diana Angela Castro)
708-731-6103 (Kayla Cabel)
[email protected]

Directions - Parking for Copernicus Center

BOX OFFICE HOURS:

Monday – Friday: 10.00 am – 02.00 pm

Saturday & Sunday 3:00 – 5:00 pm

Not open on Holidays 

For Ticket & Box Office inquiries please call 773-205-0044 or email [email protected]

Copernicus Center Event Patrons:

“An inherent risk of exposure to COVID exists in any place where people gather. COVID is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. You assume all risks, hazards, and dangers arising from or relating in any way to the risk of contracting COVID or any other communicable disease or illness, or a virus, bacteria, or other pathogen capable of causing a communicable disease or illness, while attending the event or otherwise utilizing Copernicus Foundation’s services and/or entering onto its premises, whether occurring before, during, or after the event. You further voluntarily release and waive all claims and potential claims against etix, Copernicus Foundation and their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, sponsors, successors and assigns and their respective officers, employees, contractors, consultants and agents, Event Organizers, the Venue, the Presenter, the Event, the Event Producers, and their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, sponsors, successors and assigns and their respective officers, employees, contractors, consultants and agents, in connection with exposure, infection, and/or spread of COVID or another communicable disease or illness, bacteria, virus, or pathogen related to your attendance at the event and/or utilization of Copernicus Foundation’s services and premises. We reserve the right to unilaterally make changes to health protocols according to updated public health guidance and law. By continuing, you agree to these terms.”

Share this Post: Facebook Twitter Pinterest Google Plus StumbleUpon Reddit RSS Email

Comments are closed.