UP Speech Communication Association
UP SPECA
The University of the Philippines Speech Communication Association (UP SPECA) is a non-sectarian, non-partisan, socio-academic organization that aims to promote and increase the significance and power of Speech Communication as a vital discipline in the academe. It also aims to foster the spirit of camaraderie among Speech majors. It also enhances the confidence and communication skills of its members and creates credible projects that help the campus and the community.
UP SPECA is based in the College of Arts and Letters and its official domicile is located at the Kubo #1, Tambayan Complex, Faculty Center Hill.
History
The University of the Philippines 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.
The Members and Committees
The Executive Committee is composed of the officers of the organization, the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary General, the heads of the standing committees, and their assistant.
The Executive Committee (AY 13-14)
Chairperson: Nelda Gutierrez
Vice- Chairperson: Anna Frias
Secretary General: Mary Jodie Bibat
Academics Committee
Head: Mark Joseph Cancino
Asst: Tricia Trinidad
Finance and Marketing Committee
Head: Jeronimo Ascue
Asst: Charmaine Paz
Internal Affairs Committee
Head: Valyn Baluyot
Asst: Angelina Limpin
Performance Committee
Head: James Paul Calonge
Asst: Jeanne Cayanan
Public Relations Committee
Head: Marie Chanel Abelo
Asst: Allan George Tongol
Recruitment Committee
Head: Kaylene Fernandez
Asst: Abby Javier
Projects and Activities
• ACLEs
UP SPECA holds an Alternative Classroom Learning Experience every semester. Some notable speakers from previous ACLEs include
• KALiksihan
KALiksihan is an inter-organizational activity conceptualized by UP SPECA in 2010 to encourage interaction and collaboration between the organizations of the College of Arts and Letters.
• Oral Interpretation Night
"OI Night" is a project spearheaded by the Performance Committee in order to showcase the talents of the members of SPECA and to promote Oral Interpretation as a performance medium.
The show has an overarching theme, and every single member of SPECA performs one oral interpretation piece connected to it.
• Outreach Activities
As a socio-civic organization, SPECA has regular outreach activities.
SPECA Drive
In the aftermath of the Habagat storm and floods in AY 2012-2013, the annual SPECA alumni dinner was cancelled in order for the organization to enact a relief operation in it's stead. The event was done with the coordination of the alumni and the money that was supposedly for the alumni dinner was used for the operation.
Following that incident, SPECA informally dubs every effort for the organization to mobilize manpower and donations is dubbed "SPECA Drive"
• Retorika
Retorika is an annual show, traditionally held around February. Every year, the members write an original show and act it out.
Every year, Retorika strives to embody a different theme. Previous themes include: different kinds of comedy, murder mystery and musical.
• SPECA Month/Week
Every year, UP SPECA celebrates the anniversary of it's establishment through the SPECA Week which features different events and activities.
SPECA Exhibit
The week opens with the SPECA Exhibit at the Gallery 1 of the Faculty Center. The Exhibit contains general information about the organization, including its mission, vision, objectives and its standing committees and the executive committee; pictures and documentation of the events this past semester and activities that will be accomplished by the organization in the final months of the semester and the year itself; and a brief discussion of the history of the organization.
Due to the stormy weather that week, the exhibit was not successfully pushed through. Another exhibit on the last week of September is scheduled to be done by UP SPECA.
ANSAVEH?! The Ultimate Pronunciation Competition
ANSAVEH?! was originally an Inter-org Impromptu Public Speaking Competition. During it's seventh year anniversary back in 2008, the competition was opened to all bona fide UP students. By 2011, ANSAVEH?! changed its mechanics and became an articulation competition open to all bona fide UP students.
Alumni Dinner
The Alumni Dinner serves as the culminating activity of the SPECA week. It is a get together of the alumni and current members of the organization. The first ever alumni dinner was held during the organization's 7th anniversary in 2008 at the University Hotel. It featured a set of performances by the current members of the organization then. Last year's alumni dinner, however, was held at Tramway Buffet Restaurant. This event served as a venue for the current members to meet and socialize with the people who have been part of this family.
Speech Cup
The UP SPECA Speech Cup is one of SPECA's biggest and most prestigious annual events.
It is a speech competition open to all high schools and colleges in Metro Manila and Mega Manila. Aside from being aligned with the values of UP SPECA, the competition also aims to foster youth involvement in the pursuits of performance art and rhetoric, to provide a venue for self expression and social responsiveness and to propel the Filipinization of speech communication.
The UP SPECA Speech Cup officialy started in February 2006. Originally entitled "Talastasan", it was a seminar-workshop made open to high school students about the areas of speech communication. In September of the same year, the event opened it's first ever speech choir competition. The following year, an individual oral interpretation category was added. In 2008, an additional public speaking competition was introduced; open to all colleges and universities.
• Previous Themes and Pieces
— 2006:
— 2007:
— 2008:
— 2009:
— 2010: Speechcraft: Reinventing the Image of Public Service
— 2011: Now Hiring: Post-Modern Heroes
— 2012:
— 2013: The Supremo's Legacy: Echoes of Balintawak in the 21st Century
• Previous Winners
— 2006:
— 2007:
— 2008:
— 2009:
— 2010:
— 2011:
— 2012:
— 2013:
• Competition format
— Speech Choir
One group per High School performs one (1) literary piece: the official contest piece provided by UP SPECA, integrated into another theme-aligned piece of the school's own choosing.
— Individual Oral Interpretation
The contest piece is pre-selected by UP SPECA upon advisement of the Department of Speech Communication and Theater Arts (DSCTA).
Each school is allowed to have only one representative for this category.
Internal Initiatives
Inter Initiatives
The Internal Affairs Committee ensure that things are harmonious within the members.
Lovapaloco & Perfbrero
Workshops
Every committee in UP SPECA holds at least one workshop a semester for the sake of improving and diversifying the skills of it's members.