Battle of the Bamboo 2019 Showcases Filipino Identity, Culture in the U.S. Midwest

Filipino youth in the United States Midwest perform their rendition of a traditional Kalinga dance. (Chicago PCG photo)

CHICAGO 28 February 2019 – The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago participated in Battle of the Bamboo 2019: Tadhana – Choose Your Destiny held at the University of Illinois at Chicago campus on 16 February 2019.

Filipino-American student organizations from Loyola University Chicago, Marquette University, Niles North High School, Northside College Prep, St. Louis University and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign competed in the event.

In between their presentations, Filipino-American organizations from Lane Tech College Prep, Moku’aina Hula, the Ohio State University, and University of Illinois at Chicago provided demonstrations.

Participants performed their own renditions of traditional Filipino dances and myths, infused with their own interpretation grounded on their understanding of their Filipino identity and culture. Loyola University’s Loyola Kapwa Cultural group won for the third time in four years.

Battle of the Bamboo is an annual cultural dance showcase that has been hosted by Filipinos in Alliance at the University of Illinois at Chicago since 2003. It has grown to attract hundreds of spectators to watch dance groups from high schools and collegiate institutions located all over the Midwest.

The event aims to connect and remind today’s youth of Filipino traditions through learning, performing, and spectating cultural dance.

The Consulate General also met briefly with Teachers Federal Credit Union (TFCU), which “strives to connect, inspire, and empower Filipino-American millennials helping them realize their full potential in relation to their cultural identity” through TFCU Talks around the U.S.

The Consulate General actively engages with Filipino youth in the Midwest through collaboration with various Filipino Community organizations. Currently, it is actively promoting U.S. Midwest Youth Leaders in the Diaspora (Midwest YouLeaD) Immersion Program, which brings Filipino youth leaders based in Midwest states to the Philippines to explore the beauty of the country’s islands, learn about Filipino culture and language, meet government officials, build houses and spend time with Filipino families.

An initiative of Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin, the next iteration of Midwest YouLeaD is tentatively scheduled on 03-09 January 2020. END

Filipino youth in the Midwest dancing the Tinikling. (Chicago PCG photo)

For more information, visit www.chicagopcg.dfa.gov.ph, www.chicagopcg.com or https://www.facebook.com/PHinChicago/.