The Confederation of Ilocano Association, Inc. (CIASI), better known as Samahang Ilokano (SI), is an international fraternity and sorority made up of students, graduates, and professionals from the northern parts of the Philippines and abroad. Most members are either Ilocano by blood or fluent in the Ilocano language. What began as a small circle of students has grown into one of the largest Ilocano-based organizations, with chapters reaching far beyond the Philippines.
Samahang Ilokano was founded in the 1940s by Ilocano-speaking students who left their home provinces to study in universities across the country. Being far from home, they formed a group that would give them friendship, protection, and a sense of belonging. As the years went by, the organization expanded and attracted more members, but also faced internal struggles and rivalries. Disagreements eventually led to breakaway groups like the Genuine Ilocano Gills (GIG) and the United Ilocandia Fraternity/Sorority (UI).
During the Martial Law period, the leaders of these separate groups saw the need to set aside differences and unite. In 1971, they came together and formed a single umbrella organization, officially registered as the Confederation of Ilocano Association, Inc. (CIASI). It was recognized as a non-stock, non-profit, and non-dividend corporation. While some members continued using the names of their original factions, the shared purpose remained: to bring Ilocanos together and keep the spirit of unity alive.
The Samahang Ilokano seal reflects the group’s values and aspirations. The gear stands for hard work and growth, the laurel leaves symbolize the pursuit of academic and professional excellence, the dove represents peace and friendship, the upward-pointing arrow shows faith in the Creator, and the snake stands for resilience and survival. Together, these symbols express the group’s goal of strengthening the Ilocano identity through discipline, faith, and solidarity.
Today, CIASI has chapters across the Philippines and around the world, including countries like Saudi Arabia and Taiwan. The organization continues to be active in community service and cultural events. The Saudi Arabia chapter has organized beach clean-up drives, while the Taiwan chapter celebrates Christmas and the Lunar New Year through basketball tournaments and their annual Ang Brad Kong Beauty pageant. These activities highlight how the fraternity has grown from a student group into a global network that values both camaraderie and social responsibility.
Membership in CIASI is open to anyone of Ilocano heritage or anyone who can speak and understand the Ilocano language. Members come from many different backgrounds — students, professionals, military personnel, and overseas workers among them. The organization claims around 3.5 million members, with more than a million initiates since 1971. Decades after it began, Samahang Ilokano continues to live by its founding principle: to cradle the Ilocanos — wherever they are in the world.