About

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.

Pagsibol – Tagalog (n.) sprouting; germination; growing

It is the moment when seeds break through the soil, reaching toward the sun with strength and promise. In this spirit, Battle of the Bamboo 2026 honors the beauty of growing up, the joy of celebrating our youth, and the courage it takes to step forward into new beginnings. As we say goodbye to the innocence of childhood, we carry forward the lessons, laughter, and resilience that shaped us. We celebrate youth not as a fleeting stage, but as a powerful force that fuels creativity, determination, and hope. Pagsibol reminds us that growth is both a continuation and a transformation, the act of holding onto our roots, igniting our creativity, and inspiring us to stretch into new horizons.