About FG
Friendship Games began in 1986 and features over 40 Pilipinx American Student organizations from college campuses representing California, Nevada, and Arizona. These students come to participate in a day of friendly but competitive picnic games, performances, and to celebrate “S.P.U.F” – Spirit, Pride, Unity, and Friendship. Schools compete for the chance to take home 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies, and the school that shows the most S.P.U.F is awarded an 8 foot tall trophy!
The very first Friendship Games was held on Saturday, September 20. The champion of the picnic games, Kasama, hailed from Mt. San Antonio College.
Thirty-eight years later, Friendship Games has become the highlight event of the Pilipinx-American college experience.
Is your organization going to take home the 8-foot trophy this year?
Our Purpose
The purpose of Friendship Games is to dedicate a time and place where people of different backgrounds can come together to celebrate and learn about Pilipinx culture. Along with that, many of those who are already a part of the Pilipinx culture can come together to share their own experiences with the rest of the Pilipinx-American community. This is achieved by using many modern ways to integrate as many people possible such as visual arts, vendors, exhibitors, and special performances.
Our Cultural Significance
Spirit, Pride, Unity, and Friendship (S.P.U.F) is a form of celebration derived from many indigenous tribes that are a part of the Philippines. Such tribes would use chant-like expressions to communicate with one another. Schools compete to have the most S.P.U.F and they are mimicking the expressions of these tribes by creating their own cheers. A special tradition that comes along with that is the exchange of gifts so that they can share their spirit, pride, unity, and friendship with everyone.
On the day of Friendship Games, the attendees will be able to enjoy and learn about the many aspects of Pilipinx culture. One of the main sources is the different vendors and exhibitors that are present at the event. Attendees will be able to enjoy food as they learn about the Pilipinx-American community at Friendship Games. Through this, attendees will have the option to learn more about Pilipinx culture both at a local and global level.
One of the main values in Pilipinx culture is being family-orientated. In our history, laborers were forced to work together to reach one common goal at the end of the day. All the organizations that come to participate help showcase this aspect since they uphold the family value of respecting one another and working together. Everyone is encouraged to participate or learn about the different family values surrounded by Pilipinx culture. This value is demonstrated by competing in S.P.U.F and the five unique picnic games we created.
Music and dance play a prominent role in Pilipinx culture. Dancing is a way to tell the story of our culture through various styles; however, at FG, we mostly focus on modern dance. Through roll call and Infinite PASAbilities, FG celebrates the modern style of dance through upbeat performances in a positive environment. In 2019, a cultural aspect was required for all roll call performances. For the halftime show, we do our best to select performances that are relevant to our community. Halftime performers are required to explain their cultural significance in their performer application. American culture has influenced traditional music and it is constantly evolving - just like how Friendship Games is evolving every year.
