International Club of UP
History
The International Club of UP sprang from a vision
shared by a group of foreign students in the troubled
50’s. This vision eventually led to the recognition of
ICUP as an official organization on October 24, 1956
– the same day when the UN charter was signed to
pave the way for world peace in the post war era.
Since then ICUP has resonated with the
changes in the times. It served as a bastion of peace
rallies and idealism during the 50’s and 60’s. It has
been silent in the 1970’s in the light of the Martial
Law regime, but its activities continued to uphold
its vision of intercultural understanding in the midst
of local turmoil. The 1980’s saw ICUP engaging in
activities that celebrated world cultures and raise
funds for international organizations like UNICEF and
the Red Cross. In 1985, ICUP was hailed as the Most
Outstanding Student Organization in UP after singlehandedly
reviving the UP Fair.
The 1990’s was a time for shaky restructuring
in ICUP. With the renovation of the tambayan came
the move for an introspection and reevaluation
of the club’s purpose and vision. In 1993, the club
joined other concerned organizations to form the UP
Brief History
of the Club
Environmental Assembly (UPEA). It also became a founding
member of the United International Students’ Association
(UISA), an alliance of foreign student organizations from
various universities. In 1995, in a bid for yet another big change,
the club decided to shed off politically-tainted ties and focused
on expanding its cultural experiences through interactive social
activities.
The end of the 1990’s saw yet another restructuring
process in ICUP. With the country’s troubles in the political
arena and public safety issues came the slow but steady decline
of foreign students. Fortunately, ICUP was able to recover by
realizing that, foreign students or no foreign students, we
are still an organization that is dedicated to the promotion of
international awareness and goodwill, and the appreciation
and love for global culture. Therein lies our core objective that
has remained intact despite all these changes.
In its 53 years of existence, it has served as a family
for its members, friends and visitors. It has ceaselessly sought
to create numerous venues in which various cultures and
nationalities can meet and in which the same cultures can be
celebrated.
In the years to come, ICUP will be guided by the
legacies of its past and the vision of its future, both founded
in the relationships between its alumni, members, friends and
acquaintances that serve as ultimate proof of how responsible
social interaction can transcend cultural barriers.
Officers
For the A.Y. 2010-2011
President: Laureen Lioanag
Vice President for External Affairs: Sahara Pourkaramy Lighvan
Vice President for Internal Affairs: Ma. Roxanne Feliciano
Finance Head: Dona Quia Mengote
Secretary: Marie France Obispo
Membership Committee Head: Karen Ybanez
International Guidance and Assistance Program (IGAP) Head: Faith Anne Cebrian
ICUP Representative to AISO-PHIL: Pamela Toh