UP Arirang

Organization Profile & History

The University of the Philippines Arirang is a socio-cultural organization composed of students from any course in the University of the Philippines. It is a university-based and university-wide organization.

UP Arirang was born on July 16, 2006. It was formed in order to respond to the growing number of Korean students in UP and the Filipino students who are interested in Korean language and culture.

Two students from the Korean 10 class, Xandi Eleazar and Inero Ancho, thought of making an organization that can help the Korean Exchange students in UP to adapt to the Philippine lifestyle and environment. They were joined by the Korean exchange students in UP who resided in the International Center, namely Kim Seung-su from KUT, Lee Hwa-young and Moon Sun-hee from Hannam University. Other Korean founding-members were from Hallym University.

Objectives

• To promote cultural understanding among Filipino and Korean students attending the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

• To provide venues and opportunities for Filipino students interested in Korean Language and culture.

• To give assistance to Korean students as they adjust to student life in the Philippines, while upholding the Filipino culture. What is Arirang?

Arirang is the most popular Korean Folk song, both inside and outside of Korea. The word “arirang”, an ancient/native Korean word, is literally translated as “beautiful dear” (ari means beautiful, lovely, or charming; while rang means dear).

Arirang Lyrics

Romanization

Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo... Arirang gogaero neomeoganda. Nareul beorigo gasineun nimeun Simnido motgaseo balbyeongnanda.

English

Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo... I am crossing over Arirang Pass. The man/woman who abandoned me [here] Will not walk even ten li before his/her feet hurt.

Notes • The standard version of Arirang has 3 verses, although the 2nd and 3rd verses are not as frequently sung as the 1st verse. • "Arariyo" has no meaning and simply helps the flow of the song. • Ten li is equivalent to about 4 kilometers, or 2.5 miles.

Officers

President Ma. Franchesca Grace A. Tabulog

Vice President for Cultural and Academic Affairs Committee Dianne Faye C. Despi

Vice President for Foreign Relations Committee Jamie Nicole C. Angeles

Vice President for Internals Committee Jose Paulo J. Cadano

Vice President for Logistics and Documentations Committee Gilda D. Waniwan

Vice President for Properties and Finance Committee Lia Anne L. Gonzalo

Vice President for Public Relations and Marketing Committee Bea Louise Rosario S. Burgos

Vice President for Publicity Committee Fatima Merced B. De Leon