As expressed by these dances, both the traditional and the modern were incorporated in this year's Barrio Fiesta, a celebration of Filipino culture sponsored by the Penn State Filipino Association (PSFA) held Saturday in the HUB Ballroom.

This year's theme, "Reflections: An Image Redefined," focused on the various aspects of the Filipino-American experience.

In between the dance scenes were comical skits satirizing the events of Filipino history up to the present.

"This year was definitely the most complex and the most challenging due to increased membership and the six weeks of strenuous practice," Cindy del Rosario (senior-journalism) said.

One of the more popular dances of the event was the highly anticipated "Tinikling" dance.

The Tinikling, the national dance of the Philippines, represents the tikling bird as it runs over tree branches and dodges traps set by hunters.

The audience cheered as the performers performed the last half of the dance blindfolded, their feet narrowly escaping the painful pinch of the bamboo sticks.

Barrio fiesta, which means neighborhood celebration, is an integral part of the Filipino culture through which different neighborhoods in the Philippines celebrate their patron saints, said Christine Vilar, PSFA president.

This year's Barrio Fiesta was a time for the Filipino Americans in the Penn State community to celebrate both their Filipino and American cultures, she added.

PSFA member Carlo Limgenco (sophomore-management science and information systems and international business) said he participated in Barrio Fiesta to explore his roots and educate others about the Filipino culture.

At the end of the night, all of the PSFA members gathered onstage and sang "Stand by Me," symbolizing unity and a sense of family.

Amanda West (freshman-biobehavioral health), who observed this performance from the audience, said she was touched by the meaning of the event.