SI meaning in Associations & Organizations ?

The Confederation of Ilocano Association, Incorporated, Samahang Ilokano (CIASI) or Samahang Ilokano (SI) is a fraternity and sorority composed of students from colleges and universities in the northern part of the Philippines. Members are either of Ilocano lineage and/or have the capability of speaking and understanding the Ilokano language.

Samahang Ilokano was founded in the late 1940s as a fraternity to unite Ilocano speaking students. Ilocano speaking students from Northern 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. Growth of member population also sparked uncontrollable brawls and riots, some of which landed members in prison. The Genuine Ilocano gills (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