UP SPECA
The University of the Philippines Speech Communication Association more commonly known as UP SPECA is a non-sectarian, non-partisan socio-academic organization that aims to promote and increase the significance and power of Speech Communication. UP SPECA endeavors to promote speech communication as a vital discipline in the academe. It fosters the spirit of camaraderie among Speech majors. It also enhances the confidence and communication skills of its members and creates credible projects that helps the campus and the community.
UP SPECA is based in the University of the College of Arts and Letters. And its official domicile located at the Kubo #1, Tambayan Complex, Faculty Center Hill.
History
Speech Communication Association (UP SPECA) was founded by Kenneth Jose Bajar with the help of his batchmates during AY 2000-2001. It was officially recognized by the College of Arts and Letters and the University the year after. It has been one of the most active student organizations ever since.
The organization’s main objective is to boost, promote, and increase the significance and power of speech communication using the unified mobilization of Speech majors and enthusiasts towards a better academe and community. In the spirit of camaraderie, the members of the organization work hand in hand, not only to cope with the challenges of being speech communication students, but also to foster a relevant and honorable organization that uplifts the legacy of knowledge, excellence, and leadership that bounds every “Iskolar ng Bayan” to the University of the Philippines, Diliman.
Officers
AY 2009 – 2010
Chairperson: Michelle Alvarez Vice- Chairperson: Nico Paolo Arguelles Secretary General: Muriel Linnzi Joble
Academics Committee Head: Oscar Serquina Jr. (1st Semester) Eileen Kae Relao (2nd Semester) Asst: Eileen Kae Relao (1st Semester) Ruby Chavez (2nd Semester)
Internal Affairs Committee Head: Gary Michael Christopher Torres Asst: Helen Lauzon
Finance and Marketing Committee Head: Stephanie Ann Reyes Asst: Erika Joy Araojo
Performance Committee Head: Rhanniel Kris Baldago Asst: Nikki Simbre
Public Relations Committee Head: Bernadette Sese Asst: Judith Ann Apolinario
Recruitment Committee Head: Randell De Leon Asst: Armand Robert Gallardo (1st Semester) Brish Bane Marquez (2nd Semester)
Members
Activities
Best CAL Org
As a socio-academic organization which fosters speech communication as a field of higher learning and as an important facet of our everyday lives, the University of the Philippines Speech Communication Association (UP SPECA) has been actively spearheading and involving itself in various activities and projects that are deemed beneficial to both the academe and the community. Since its founding in the academic year 2000-2001, UP SPECA has established itself as one of the leading organizations in the UP College of Arts and Letters (CAL) and in the whole University as well, which openly renders its service and manpower whenever the need arises. For the past years, UP SPECA has been organizing seminars, competitions, workshops, and conferences that further the study of speech communication- all of which, most especially those organized this year, have gotten overwhelming feedback from the UP community as well as from participating schools outside the University.
UP SPECA prides itself as one of the most competent and dynamic CAL organizations. With a total of 70 official members to its name, UP SPECA views its affiliates as assets rather than liabilities, which it can maximize, develop, and rely on as it pursues feasible venues, productive programs, and viable plans for the future. All throughout the year, UP SPECA has been able to employ its members to organize and participate in a variety of academic and social activities that have involved not only students of UP but all those who are willing to partake and share the same interests. Such activities include the Alternative Classroom Learning Experience (ACLE) held in both semesters, the UP SPECA Speech Craft (a public speaking contest open to all UP students), gadget, brand and food sales, and the successful UP SPECA Speech Cup 2008 which showcased various Metro and Mega Manila high schools and colleges and their talents in solo and group oral interpretation and extemporaneous public speaking.
Apart from enriching its experiences by helping in various academic pursuits in the college and in the university, UP SPECA also believes that there are people more in need outside the confines of the UP. Being a socio-civic organization as well, it has also extended its services by organizing visits and performances for the Comfort Women at La Lila Filipina and the cancer patients at the East Avenue Medical Center Cancer Ward. Some of its members also joined the Rotaract Club of Wack Wack, the youth counterpart of the Rotary Club which is a worldwide organization that aims to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.
UP SPECA reached several milestones this academic year. As the organization matures through time, the tasks that it tries to handle have also become bigger in scope and more challenging. This year, the organization had a week-long celebration of its 8th anniversary which culminated in the second UP SPECA Alumni Homecoming. Moreover, it has successfully conducted one of the organization's major events, the UP SPECA Speech Cup last November. It has also assisted the Department of Speech Communication and Theater Arts in its yearlong 50th anniversary celebration.
Given these major accomplishments of UP SPECA, the organization stands tall as a student organization that is committed in serving its mother department, the college, the University, and the Filipino community. Its mission to promote the significance and power of speech communication remains unwavering as it faces the daunting challenges and abundant opportunities that come on its way. While confronted with the dynamicity of our everyday lives, UP SPECA never stops in enhancing itself to be the best in its field. Fueled by the core values and thrusts that have guided and molded it throughout its eight years of existence, it continuously moves forward for the betterment of the people that it serves.
UP SPECA believes that human communication is pervasive in our society, and that people should be giving much premium in improving it. It is with this belief that UP SPECA steps up as a student organization that plays an essential and critical role in promoting and maintaining a harmonious communicative experience among people. In a world where too many stories are left untold and too many voices left unheard, UP SPECA chooses to come to the fore, break silence, and take on the challenge of recounting the unutterable narratives, the unspoken truths, and the unrealized awareness that people should be rightful of knowing.