Chili viand eating contest makes summer season hotter

LEGAZPI CITY – For 19 years now, the chili-viand eating (Sili eating) contest, also known here as “Hot-aw sa Kaonan,” served as one of the major highlights of the month-long Magayon Festival in Albay province.

On Tuesday night, 10 female and 10 male contestants gathered at the Penaranda Park here, to get a chance to be crowned “Sili Queen” and “Sili King,” or the fastest to finish eating two 250-gram bowls of Bicol Express and “laing” mixed with lots of chili.

In the end, Mary Jane Sorro, of Barangay Taysan here, regained her title as “Sili Queen,” finishing in 3 minutes and 7 seconds.

She’s the reigning queen after being declared the winner last year, finishing in one minute and 25 seconds.

“The food they served us (this year) were very hot compared to last year,” she said.

For the male category, Ronald Nimo, 30, from Barangay Quirangay, Camalig town, was hailed this year’s “Sili King,” finishing in only one minute and four seconds.

He described the food as “hot but bearable.”

“I really prepared for this event by eating several pieces (of chili) before the competition proper,” he said.

Both Sorro and Nimo took home P10,000 cash. Second placers got P7,000;
and third, P5,000.

A consolation price of P1,000 was also to given to non-winners.