Samahang Ilokano Explained

Letters:English: SI
Samahang Ilokano
Crest:Ciasi-seal.png
Alt:The official seal of the Samahang Ilocano
Birthplace:Batac Farm School (now Mariano Marcos State University)
Affiliation:Independent
Type:Service, Professional
Status:Active
Scope:International
Motto:sigma, iota, kappa
Emphasis:Ilocano language
Symbol:Snake on an Arrow
Chapters:421+
Lifetime:1,00,000+
City:Manila
Country:Philippines

The Confederation of Ilocano Association, Inc., doing business as Samahang Ilokano (lit., Ilocano Association), [1] [2] is an International fraternity and sorority composed of students from colleges and universities in the northern part of the Philippines and professionals. Members are either of Ilocano lineage and/or have the capability of speaking and understanding the Ilokano language.

History

Samahang Ilokano was founded in the 1940s[1] as a fraternity to unite Ilocano-speaking students. Ilocano-speaking students from Northern Luzon provinces would pursue higher education in universities away from home and seek fellow Ilocanos for company and protection.

As the fraternity grew, it attracted scrutiny from other fraternities. The growth of the member population also sparked uncontrollable brawls and riots, some of which landed members in prison. The Genuine Ilocano gills (GIG) was formed as a group for SI members who were incarcerated and soon accepted members from within the prison.

Power struggles within the fraternity led to further separation of members. Hence, the birth of another faction now known as United Ilocandia Fraternity/Sorority (UI). The lack of organization created tension between the three groups.

Unity and expansion

During martial law, the leaders and founders of the different groups agreed to unite the three organizations. This led to the creation of an umbrella organization, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the name "Confederation of Ilocano Association, Incorporated" as a non-stock, non-profit, and non-dividend corporation. Members of UI and GIG often do not use CIAUI or CIAGIG and instead prefer their respective original faction names. This reorganization occurred in 1971. Despite significant changes within the structure, the ultimate purpose of the Samahang Ilokano still stands: an organization to cradle the Ilocanos.

Symbols

The Samahang Ilokano seal includes a gear with laurel leaves underneath and a white dove in flight above. On top of the gear is an arrow and a red snake. The gear symbolizes the aspiration to develop one's potential in many endeavors.[3] The laurel leaves represents the members' goal of academic and professional excellence. The dove represents freedom, friendship, and peace. The arrow points upwards to acknowledge the Supreme Creator. The snake represents new life and the ability to conquer fear and survive in the wilderness.

Activities

The Saudi Arabia chapter has helped clean up beach litter.[4] Members of the Taiwan chapter celebrate Christmas with an annual Ang Brad Kong Beauty all-male competition and celebrate the Lunar New Year with a basketball tournament.[5] [6]

Membership

Most members of SI-K became professionals, which allowed the group to diversify into factions of the following types within the organization: international, military, professional, women's auxiliary, out-of-school youths, and students.

The fraternity claims 3.5 Million card-carrying members.[7] It initiated one million members between 1971 and 2019.[8] Members include professionals and students from colleges and universities situated in the northern Philippines.[9]

Chapters

Samahang Ilokano includes more than 421 chapters as of October 2019. Following is a list of known chapters that includes both professional and collegiate groups.[10] Chapters are name for their location.

ChapterTypeCharteredCityCountryStatusReferences
1st District of Pangasinan chapterPangasinanPhilippines
3rd District of Pangasinan chapterPangasinanPhilippines
1st Kabagis chapter KabagisPhilippines[11]
Alicia chapterAlicia, IsabelaPhilippines
Baguio-Benguet chapterBaguioPhilippines
Cabanatuan City chapterCabanatuanPhilippines
Dagupan chapterDagupanPhilippines
District 1 Tarlac chapterTarlacPhilippines
Edmonton, Canada chapterFebruary 28, 2013EdmontonCanadaActive[12]
Hong Kong chapterHong KongChina
Ilagan chapterIlaganPhilippines
International Paradise chapterFebruary 23, 2021Waipahu, HawaiiUnited StatesActive[13]
Isabela chapterIsabelaPhilippines
Korea chapterKoreaActive[14]
Laoac Pangasinan chapterLaoacPhilippines
La Salette Santiago Isabela chapterLa Salette Santiago IsabelaPhilippines
London, England chapterLondonUnited Kingdom
Madrid, Spain chapterMadridSpain
Maritime chapterPhilippines
Metro Manila chapterMetro ManilaPhilippines
Qatar chapterFraternityDohaQatarActive[15]
Qatar chapterFraternityRas LaffanQatarActive
Qatar chapterFraternity, IndustrialQatarActive
Qatar chapterSororityQatarActive
Resurrection Umingan chapterUminganPhilippines
Samahang Ilocano Saleng chapterAugust 27, 2003Baguio CityPhilippinesActive[16]
San Isidro Isabela chapterSan Isidro, IsabelaPhilippines
Saudi Arabia chapterSaudi Arabia[17]
Taiwan chapterFraternity2007TaiwanActive[18] [19]
Taiwan chapterSororityOctober 2013TaiwanActive
Tarlac chapterTarlac CityPhilippines
Tuguegarao Cagayan chapterTuguegaraoPhilippines
Villasis Pangasinan chapterVillasisPhilippines
Viscaya chapterPhilippines

Misconduct

Notable members

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. https://manilastandard.net/news/national/314221344/samahang-ilokano-promises-to-deliver-1-m-votes-for-bbm-sara-uniteam.html Samahang Ilokano promises to deliver 1 M votes for BBM-Sara UniTeam Manila Standard, April 12, 2022
  2. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1582575/samahang-ilocano-promises-to-deliver-1-million-votes-for-marcos-duterte-tandem Samahang Ilocano promises to deliver 1 million votes for Marcos-Duterte tandem Inquirer.net, April 13, 2022
  3. Web site: 2008-09-17 . Philosophy Samahang Ilokano . 2023-07-03 . 2008-09-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080917192228/http://www.samahangilokano.org/about/philosophy . bot: unknown .
  4. Web site: Bual . Redentor M. . 2015-09-20 . Popular Jeddah beach cleaned up for Eid holidays . 2023-07-04 . Arab News . en.
  5. Web site: 2022-12-22 . Ilocano Filipinos celebrate Christmas in New Taipei City - Taipei Times . 2023-07-04 . www.taipeitimes.com.
  6. Web site: 2020-01-26 . Philippine Ilocano basketball tourney tips off in Taichung . 2023-07-04 . Taiwan News.
  7. https://manilastandard.net/news/main-stories/202440/ilocano-groups-make-a-strong-pitch-for-mar-and-bongbong.html Ilocano groups make a strong pitch for Mar and Bongbong Manila Standard December March 28, 2016
  8. Web site: 2019-10-14 . Filipino community in New Taipei celebrates women over 40 . 2023-07-04 . Taiwan News.
  9. Web site: 2009-01-29 . About SI Samahang Ilokano . 2023-07-04 . 2009-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090129160034/http://samahangilokano.org/about . bot: unknown .
  10. Web site: 2008-10-11 . Events Gallery Samahang Ilokano . 2023-07-03 . 2008-10-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081011083310/http://www.samahangilokano.org/news . bot: unknown .
  11. Web site: 1st Kabagis . 2023-07-04 . Samahang Ilokano Kabagis.
  12. Web site: Confederation Of Ilocano Association "Samahang Ilocano" 61892 International . July 3, 2023 . Alberta Corporations.
  13. Web site: Confederation of Ilocano Association Incorporated, Samahang Ilokano 61892, International Paradise Chapter, Hawaii, U.S.A. . 2023-07-04 . Hawaii State Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs, Business Registration Division.
  14. Web site: Ang . Nash . December 16, 2017 . Confederation Of Ilocano Association Korea . 2023-07-04 . PinoySeoul.com . en.
  15. Web site: 2014 . Ilocanos keen on making a mark Qatar Tribune . 2023-07-04 . Free Online Library .
  16. Web site: Meneses . Carlos . 2019-09-01 . Celebrating the 16Th founding Anniversary of Confederation of Ilocano Association Incorporated . 2023-07-04 . Amianan Balita Ngayon.
  17. Web site: 2008-10-11 . October Gallery Updates Samahang Ilokano . 2023-07-03 . 2008-10-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081011070500/http://www.samahangilokano.org/news/october-gallery-updates . bot: unknown .
  18. Web site: 2019-08-18 . Hundreds of Filipinos celebrate Ilocano heritage in Taiwan's Taichung . 2023-07-04 . Taiwan News.
  19. Web site: 2008-09-30 . CIASI, Other Migrant Groups Oppose Taiwan Tax Samahang Ilokano . 2023-07-03 . 2008-09-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080930234754/http://www.samahangilokano.org/news/ciasi-other-migrant-groups-oppose-taiwan-tax . bot: unknown .
  20. Book: Supreme Court Advance Decisions . January 2 – February 15, 1995 . REX Book Store, Inc. . 58 . Manila, Philippines . 187–188 . 9789712318351 . en . Google Books.