USD FUSO takes on the annual Friendship Games

Community and competition at this year’s game

Mei Flory / Assistant Arts and Culture Editor / The USD Vista

Every year, the Filipino Ugnayan Student Organization (FUSO) at USD participates in the intercollegiate event known as “Friendship Games.” Founded in 1985, Friendship Games features over 40 Filipinx student organizations from colleges across California, Nevada and Arizona. 

Hosted by California State University, Fullerton Philipinx-American Student Association Kaibigan, Friendship Games was designed to create solidarity between Filipinx student organizations from different college campuses, as well as to promote the founding ideals of Spirit, Pride, Unity and Friendship (SPUF). The top three schools are awarded trophies corresponding to their performance in the games, and the school that shows the most SPUF is awarded a special trophy specific to the purpose of the event. 

Although Friendship Games is generally held in person, this year’s 36th annual games were converted to an online format due to COVID-19 concerns. Similar to last year, CSUF adapted to the online nature of the event by implementing live streaming, virtual games and pre-recorded performances. In addition to USD, nearly 20 other schools participated in the event to show their dedication to their culture and perseverance amid changing circumstances.

The games themselves consisted of posting a TikTok with a theme specific to each school, participating in surprise trivia games related to Filipinx culture or Friendship Games history, creating Instagram posts, and raising money for COVID-19 relief in the Philippines. Participating in each game earned points for each organization, and FUSO accumulated over a 200 point lead against SDSU and UCSB, who were second and third place, respectively. 

Last year, FUSO came in first out of 37 participating schools during the 35th annual Friendship Games with USD senior, Mariel Bautista, serving as FUSO’s Vice President External (VPE) and primary representative for the games. That meant the pressure was on for Bautista’s predecessor, USD junior, Kenneth Manlapaz, who is FUSO’s current VPE. After FUSO dominated the online games, they were selected as one of the top three finalists. Each VPE or representative from the three final schools were then given a Zoom link to participate in the ‘Final Rampage’ — a Jeopardy-style game regarding Friendship Games trivia. 

Although Manlapaz gave it his all, FUSO ultimately took home third place, with first place going to UCSB and second going to SDSU. 

Despite not performing the way he wanted to, Manlapaz carried an optimistic attitude and praised FUSO’s efforts. 

“I felt very nervous representing all of FUSO because there was a lot of pressure to take FUSO all the way. I think I focused too much on getting us to first the whole time rather than focusing on the end game, which was the ‘Final Rampage,’ Manlapaz noted. “But besides that, I’m really satisfied with the work FUSO did this year for Friendship Games.”

Manlapaz was ultimately very proud of his team.

“Seeing all the first and second years getting into the spirit of the games and strategizing among themselves was so fun to watch. We dominated the whole game — raising the most money, posting the most pictures for ‘Show Your Spirit,’ staying first in all the surprise games. No one touched us,” Manlapaz said. “I want people in FUSO to know just how powerful of an org we are.” 

And he’s right. For the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns, FUSO raised $1,725 dollars. The fundraising was done via ‘Dare Bingo,’ which involves participants posting a bingo card to their Instagrams that others can donate to. Once the card is filled, the participant must carry out a dare. 

Steven Iannicca, USD sophomore, was one of the participants. His dare: give a five minute trumpet performance at Colachis Plaza. 

“Dare Bingo was a great way to try something that you may not normally do, and raising money to help those in the Philippines, and watching your friends do fun dares was fun,” Iannicca explained. 

Iannica has never attended an in-person Friendship Games, but even with its virtual format, he still felt the love within the Filipinx community. 

“I think the best part honestly was everyone participating and putting their best effort in trying to win Friendship Games this year,” Iannica noted. “I feel that we grew a little closer through this event, and I’m proud of the effort and commitment each member made towards the games. I really enjoy and appreciate the great community we have in FUSO.”

The Spirit, Pride, Unity and Friendship fostered by organizations like FUSO is what makes the Friendship Games so important to the Filipinx community. Winning is great, but making friends and bonding as an organization is even better. 

Mariel Bautista, current President of FUSO, reflected on her past Friendship Games experiences as a general member, former VPE, and now President. 

“It feels bittersweet because it was online, but I’m happy we still got to experience it while in school,” Bautista said. “The experience was still memorable for me because we, USD FUSO, stood out.”

Bautista found that these games only solidified this organization even more than before.

“We put in the most effort, and I think we have that reputation now among schools,” Bautista noted. “Like, I was talking to my brother who goes to UCSD…they said ‘Oh, [USD] is such a small org,’ so just hearing that and us doing so well these past few years was really great and brought us closer.”

Bautista also had a message for Manlapaz and future VPEs:

“Remember why you do it. Especially during the pandemic when it was online, that didn’t stop me from giving my all. Always remember why you’re in that position, especially the community that you’re serving. It was so much more than the championship. It brought FUSO together. We left everything behind at USD, but with Friendship Games, FUSO proved that we didn’t leave each other behind. Being VPE is more than your role outside of FUSO. It’s about community.”

After a long week leading up to the YouTube live stream of ‘Final Rampage,’ Friendship Games concluded on Oct. 16. 

The celebration of culture and community will continue with other upcoming events such as Palarong Pinoy and Kamayan Night. But for FUSO, Friendship Games was a perfect way to celebrate Filipino American History Month with like-minded individuals.