UIC's Filipinos in Alliance host 7th annual BATTLE OF THE BAMBOO

Let's get ready to Rrrrumble!

This Saturday night (Feb. 20) @ the UIC Forum, Filipinos in Alliance at the Univ. of Illinois at Chicago will host its 7th annual Battle of the Bamboo. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. The event is completely free!

You will not want to miss this year's event, which is welcoming a record-number of participants -- some 250 dancers from colleges and high schools in Chicago, including 1 out-of-state cultural group from St. Louis University.

Tonight, I chatted with Mark Ezpeleta, FIA Vice President of External, and this year's Battle of the Bamboo coordinator. Mark tells me that all groups have been practicing since last year, so competition is expected to be fierce.

The defending champions are Philippine Student Association at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. UIUC and Loyola University's cultural dance group have been known to take the Bamboo title a few times each in the last six years.

In a few hours hopefully....you'll find a quick teaser video we made with Mark! Check it all out here and stay tuned.

Shout outs to Voltaire Roxas for producing the quick video, and Mark Ezpeleta for the great interview.

So don't miss Battle of the Bamboo. Saturday night. UIC Forum.

~ Rowie V / The Filipina Chicagoan