Thousands of students, representing 43 different schools, came together on October 22 to compete in the 26th Annual Friendship Games at California State University, Fullerton. The event, put on by the Pilipino American Student Association (PASA) Kaibigan, attracts Pilipino college organizations from all over California, Nevada, and Arizona. Students competed in five games (Groundhog, Alpine Green, Conveyor Belt, The Nasty, and Tidal Wave), racking up points for placing first, second, and third in each individual challenge. The top three schools with the most points then competed in the Final Rampage, with winners announced at a sold-out afterparty.
“I heard from people who went in the past that everyone has fun,” said Regina So, a member of the Pilipino Undergraduate Student Organization (PUSO) at the University of Nevada, Reno. Students there began practicing many weeks before the event in hopes of winning one of the large Friendship Games trophies.
In addition to competing in the games, colleges try to show off their spirit, pride, unity, and friendship, collectively known as SPUF. To do this, many colleges adopt a theme that they represent through t-shirts, props, chants, and even the dances they perform at the beginning roll call. “I come here for the SPUF,” said Christian Esteban from California State University, Northridge’s Filipino-American Student Association (FASA). “Friendship Games unites Pilipino organizations and it looks like a lot of people make new friends.”
This year, San Francisco State University won 1st Place, while the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of California, Santa Barbara won 2nd and 3rd Place, respectively. California Poly San Luis Obispo took home the SPUF trophy, ending San Jose State University’s two-year streak.
Since it was first held in 1985, Friendship Games has grown and developed into one of the largest Pilipino gatherings in the United States. This year marks the first time a Pilipino cultural dance was performed at the event as well as the first time California State University, Los Angeles competed in the games. Jennifer Rodil and Angela Valdez also added to the significance as the first female Friendship Games coordinators in its 26-year history.
Planning will begin again soon for the next Friendship Games, but although the event is now over, schools hope that the SPUF will last all year long.
Check out more videos from the 26th Annual Friendship Games:
Videos by: Samantha Delara
