The Confederation of Ilocano Association, Incorporated, Samahang Ilokano (CIASI) or Samahang Ilokano (SI) is a fraternity and sorority

Fraternities and sororities

Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...

 composed of students from colleges and universities in the northern part of the Philippines

Philippines

The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

. Members are either of Ilocano lineage and/or have the capability of speaking and understanding the Ilokano dialect.

Early days and Conflicts

Samahang Ilokano was originally founded in the late 1950s as a fraternity to unite Ilocano speaking students. Ilocano speaking students from Northern Luzon

Luzon

Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...

 provinces would pursue higher education in universities away from home and seek fellow Ilocanos for company and protection.

Soon enough the fraternity grew in number, which attracted scrutiny from other fraternities. Growt of member population also sparked uncontrollable brawls and riots, some of which landed members in prison. The Genuine Ilocano Gang (GIG) was formed as a group for SI members who were incarcerated, and soon accepted members from within the prison.

Power struggles within the fraternity led to further separation of members. Hence, the birth of another faction now known as United Ilocandia Fraternity/Sorority (UI). The lack of organization created tension between the three groups

Unity and expansion

During martial law, the leaders and founders of the different groups agreed to unite the three organizations. This led to the creation of an umbrella organization, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the name "Confederation of Ilocano Association, Incorporated" as a non-stock, non-profit and non-dividend corporation. Members of UI and GIG often do not use CIAUI or CIAGIG, and instead prefer their respective original faction names.

Most members of CIASI became professionals, which gave the opportunity for the group to diversify into factions of the following types within the organization: international, military, professional, women's auxiliary, out-of-school youths, and students.

Despite significant changes within the structure, the ultimate purpose of the Samahang Ilokano still stands: an organization to cradle the Ilocanos.

• The dove symbolizes peace, freedom and friendship.
• The laurel leaves highlight our aspirations for academic and professional excellence.
• The gear provides the aspirations for the development of our potentials in various fields of endeavor.
• The snake symbolizes new life, the power to conquer fear, and the ability to survive.
• The arrow with its up right position symbolize the ability to stand up against all the challenges.