GOODPHIL CONSTITUTION

We the members of the Filipino Students Association of Texas are present by one understanding to participate in an event that unites these members in friendly competition through camaraderie, good sportsmanship, and tradition. This is known as the GoodPhil Games

Camaraderie: An esprit de corps between Filipino Studehts Association members in Texas created through the games, and transcending all barriers.

Sportsmanship: By competing we understand that our goal of competitive sports is to ineract amonst each other without the sole intent of winning.

Tradition: It is our responsibility to learn and understand the Filipino tradition that has become the foundation of our lives. GoodPhil thus becomes a tradition to share with future generations.

The GoodPhil Constitution is necessary to keep Goodphil an event rich in camaraderie, good sportsmanship, and tradition. We understand the importance of enforcing and obeying the rules and regulations of the GoodPhil Constitution.

Honor Code

As a member of the Filipino Students Association I will not lie, cheat, or steal nor tolerate those who do.

GoodPhil History

The GoodPhil games were founded in 1991 by Reggie Perez, President of the Philippine Students Association (Philsa) at Texas A&M University. His goal was to bring together the Filipino organizations from across the state.

The first Goodphil Games originated as a showdown between archrivals Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin. The two schools battled not only each other, but also severe weather conditions. At one point during the weekend, President Reggie Perez was forced to "think of something they could play." Despite weather conditions and lack of precedence to go by, the first GoodPhil games were a huge success with the University of Texas emerging as the winner.

Since then, the GoodPhil Games has continued to grow. The University of Texas at Austin was the location for the second GoodPhil Games in 1992, which included the University of Houston, and the University of Texas at Arlington. Host to the third Goodphil games in 1993 was the University of Houston where the Spirit and Dance Competition and the "Hot Bod" contest was added. The 1994 Games were held in Arlington, thus completing the original rotation of hosts. In 1995, the GoodPhil Games returned to Texas A&M and welcomed the University of Texas San Antoniofor the first time. The 1996 games held in Austin marked the first appearance of Texas A&M Corpus Christi, and in 1997, the Games in Houston brought the total number of participating schools to eight by adding Baylor University and the University of St. Thomas. Since then, the third hosting of the Goodphil games in Houston (2002), welcomed Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at Dallas, brining the number of participating schools to ten.

The rapid growth of the GoodPhil Games created a need for more organization and a set of standard policies. So in the summer of 1997, representatives from Texas A&M, University of Houston, University of Texas, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, and the University of St. Thomas met in Corpus Christi to draft the GoodPhil Games Constitution. The Constitution was finalized on July 5, 199, and had been later approved by the eight schools that year. the Constitution was finalized on July 5, 1997, and had been later approved by eight schools that year. The Constitution also created new events that debuted at the 1998 Games in San Antonio. This included the Cultural Presentation and an Alumni Basketball Tournament.

In an attempt to imporve communication, coordination, and planning for events happening in both the GoodPhil Games and the surrounding Filipino community, Emerson C. Cabatu from Texas A&M University founded the Philipping Students of Texas (PST) on the 30th day of May, 1998 with the support of all eight universities. The first official meeting for PST was held on the 26th of September, 1998 which consisted of the acting chair and the Governing Board (the President and Vice-President from each of the eight FSAs).

Repercussions for Cheating

If an individual representing a school is caught cheating at an event, the school will be disqualified for that particular event. The individual will also not be allowed to participate in that event the next year. However, if the same school chooses to allow this individual to participate in the same event the following year, they will be deducted 1st place points from the school’s overall score.

For example, first place is awarded ten points. If X from school A decides to cheat in spirit, school A will be disqualified from that event. School A may still participate in spirit the following year, but X may not. If X still dances in spirit, school A will be deducted ten points from their overall score.

Cheating can be defined as, but is not limited to, participating in an event you are not registered for, playing for both A team and B team men's basketball, etc.

For procedures on determining if these repercussions should be imposed upon a party, please see the PST Constitution, Article I, Section 4.