The Harong Story

In early November of 1995, Camarines Sur was left devastated by the typhoon Rosing. Thousands of Bicolano families were affected. Many towns and cities were flooded, paralyzing land transportation in southeast Luzon.

Bicolanos studying in Manila, especially in the University of the Philippines Diliman, were hence moving heaven and earth to get to their classes since it was also the start of the second semester. It was an eye opener because if there was a student organization then to facilitate information, life would have been easier for UP Diliman students.

In the University, other organizations were having a campaign called 'Help the Typhoon Rosing Victims in Bicol". This was the real and social aspect of the organization yet to be founded then: to help the people of Camarines Sur, especially in times of calamities. Eventually, there was a conscious move to develop the organization internally that it has become its mission to mold members into individuals who are responsible and equally ardent in the pursuit of academic excellence, as well as, service-oriented endeavors directed towards Camarines Sur and consequently, the country.

In their urge to be of help to fellow Bicolanos, especially Camarines Sureños, four idealistic students of UP Diliman conceptualized the birth of an organization that caters to the Iskolars ng Bayan from Camarines Sur, while keeping in mind the aims of building bridges, uniting souls and turning dreams into realities through the proposed assembly. In November 19 of that year, the twelve founding members met to deliberate the name of the organization which will reflect its goals and objectives. The name HARONG was finally decided upon since the organization is to serve as the members’ harong (Bicol term for "home") away from home. The University finally recognized the existence of the Organization as a legitimate university provincial organization in November 26 with 22 members.

About a year later, the Organization has started holding the province-wide Inter-High School Open Debate Tournament, now known as the Tingog nin Rason Debate Tournament. It has also instituted the Voice of Freedom Oratorical Contest in 1998 which has been revised into an Extemporaneous Speaking Contest in 2001 and an Impromptu Speech Contest in 2004. The Quiz Wits Competition, meanwhile, was first held in 2002. The Organization has finally consolidated these academic events, along with the newly initiated Sural Essay Writing Competition (2003) and Gayon Bikolnon Poster Making Contest (2004) into what is now known as the UP HARONG Acadfest.

Aside from the aforementioned academic competitions, the Organization has also organized medical-dental missions and other outreach programs in a number of depressed areas of the Province.

The Organization serves to be a home away from home in the University, where one can find the solace and security of a genuine household. It welcomes its members to a community of camaraderie and unity under one home, the U.P. HARONG.