UP Namnama

History

UP Namnama is the first and only true-blooded Ilocano organization in the country's premier university, University of the Philippines. It exists with the purpose of providing academic and social growth among the Ilocano youth, as well as encouraging a widening awareness and appreciation of our region's unique heritage and culture among our fellow Filipinos.

Founded at the height of Martial Law, it was originally a political confraternity, formed to go against the dictatorial government of then President Ferdinand Marcos. During this highly tumultuous period, UP Namnama became politically involved in and out of the university, having been an active participant in the "parliament of the street" almost daily alongside with other UP students and protesters, at the same time a pioneer member of the Ilocandia Forum, a coalition of Ilocanos from different sectors, such as the academe, clergy, judiciary, business, and labor, among others. Imbued with a deep sense of nationalism and genuine selflessness, UPN members fought long and hard for the release of political detainees, including its very own former presidents and founding members.

At the turn of the decade, however, present realities caused the organization to realign its focus to academic and socio-cultural endeavors. It has retained such orientation up to this day.

Through years of unrelentless service, passion and commitment, UP Namnama has successfully established a solid regional presence—covering the provinces of Abra, La Union, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and the city of Baguio—and never looked back. The organization's flagship activity, the Annual Sirib Quiz Show and Saririt Cultural Festival, is, without exaggeration, regarded by the participating schools as an institution in the educational events map of whole Ilocos. Moreover, UPN currently enjoys the recognition from its fellow geographic-based and ethnolinguistic organizations from UP Diliman as the bastion of outstanding students of Ilocano lineage in the campus.

Apart from its noble history and many unparalleled feats, UP Namnama also draws pride from its resident members and almost a thousand alumni, who include multi-awarded broadcast journalist Jessica Soho and former University Student Council chairpersons Jose Fernando Alcantara and Kristian Michel Ablan, just to name a few.

January 2014, UP Namnama was able to open new doors as the UP Namnama Baguio Chapter was established in UP Baguio. Stronger than ever, both chapters defined a milestone on June and July of the same year as they simultaneously launched the Suro: Annual UPCAT Review to the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Abra with over 300 participating students all-in-all.

Now on its 50th year, UP Namnama will remain steadfast in serving the Ilocanos.

From 1974, to now, and into the future:

Agbiag ti nasirib ken nabannuar a puli!

Officers

Executive Committee A.Y. 2024-2025

President: Janivee Villatema (Laoag, Ilocos Norte)

Secretary-General: Drake Roneale Panlaqui (Baguio City, Benguet)

Executive for Internal Affairs: Kryzl Eunice Domingo (Rosario, La Union)

Executive for External Affairs: Victor Dominic Naraval (San Fernando, La Union)

Executive for Finance and Logistics: Karylle Anne Madriaga (Currimao, Ilocos Norte)

Executive for Education and Culture: Therese Turqueza (Laoag, Ilocos Norte)

Executive for Creatives and Publicity: Zia Cabotaje (Bangued, Abra)

Executive for Alumni Relations: Sabel Tinaza (Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur)

Activities

Sirib ken Saririt

An academic and cultural festival held annually in the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra and Benguet.

This is the flagship event of the organization wherein contests are held for elementary to senior high school students and help them excel in academic and extracurricular activities.

Suro UPCAT Review

A series of lectures, practice examinations, and career talks to prepare Ilocano students for their entrance tests on their prospective degrees and colleges of choice.

Sagot Namnama

An outreach activity committed to facilitate academic development and social awareness among the Ilocano youth.

Announcements

Sirib ken Saririt 2025 Provincial Eliminations

𝗜𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗢𝗦 𝗦𝗨𝗥 (January 4): Ilocos Sur National High School

𝗜𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗢𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗘 (January 5): Bangui National High School

𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗡 (January 11): West Central Elementary School I, Dagupan

𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗨𝗘𝗧 (January 11): University of the Philippines Baguio

𝗟𝗔 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡 (January 12): Balaoan Central School

𝗔𝗕𝗥𝗔 (January 18): Abra High School

See Also

Facebook: UP Namnama

Instagram: @up.namnama

X (formerly Twitter): @up_namnama