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 29 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 43rd year, as the entire nation and the whole world face a cultural anomie, UP Namnama vows to continue to serve the Ilocano youth and promote the Ilocano heritage and culture through its established social, cultural, and academic-oriented projects.

Two revolutions, one breakaway group, one additional chapter, and over four decades after inception, UP Namnama remains.

Officers

Executive Committee A.Y. 2017-2018

President: Gemma Esteban

Executive for Internal Affairs: Vincent Racoma

Executive for External Affairs: Jan Tristanmar Vicente

Executive for Finance: Hannah Mae dela Cruz

Executive for Alumni Relations: Alicia Therese Dumlao

Executive for Education and Culture: Jewelyn Marie Tabion

Activities

Sirib ken Saririt An academic and cultural festival held annually in the provinces of La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra and the city of Baguio

Sagot Namnama A community outreach launched in 2016

Ay-ayam Team building activity for the members and applicants

Bagnet Eating Contest An on-campus competition open to all UP students

Announcements

Applicants' Orientation September 12, 2017

See Also

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UPNamnamaOfficial/

Twitter: @UPNamnama