Our News is Written in Stone™

Hot Pepper Contest This Past Sunday:

Participants in the hot pepper eating contest prepare for the go-signal on Sunday afternoon. Photo by Raquel C. Bagnol

CNMI News
Tuesday February 19, 2008
Hot pepper festival heats up Tinian
By Raquel C. Bagnol Variety News Staff
TINIAN — More people joined this year’s Hot Pepper Festival compared to last year, according to Marianas Visitors Authority field operations officer Uida Borja.
“We were taken by surprise over the number of people who joined the activities last Saturday and Sunday,” she said. “It was three times more than last year’s attendance, and this is unexpected because of the economic crisis the island is going through.”
Borja said the festival allows everyone to join the different contests.
Over 7,000 tokens were used and recycled during the two-day event, signifying that business was brisk at the different stalls.
In his opening remarks on Saturday, Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Perry John P. Tenorio said the festival gives guests a chance to experience Tinian culture and hospitality.
“It is a chance for guests to discover the true taste of Tinian through the arts and crafts, local food spiced with Tinian’s own ‘doni sali,’ and enjoy the island’s sandy beaches and historical places,” Tenorio said.
Various events were held during the two-day festival on Feb. 16-17.
The activities included cultural dances, beach volleyball competition, Umang race, karaoke singing contest, dragon boat rowing contest, mwar making contest, cha-cha contest and the hot pepper eating contest.
Three live bands — Big Beats, Burning Bush and Last Minute — added color and provided entertainment during the festival.
“We can say that this celebration is successful, thanks to the support and joint effort of MVA, the local officials and the sponsors,” Borja said.
In a separate interview, Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian, thanked MVA for hosting the event.
“We are always looking for activities like this,” he said.