DPS Fire wins Hard Rock burger eating contest anew

The fire division of the Department of Public Safety defended its title during the burger eating contest for the Guns & Hoses event sponsored by Hard Rock Café in celebration of its 40th Founders Day.

Firefighters Climaco “Little Rock” Laniyo and John “Crue” Camacho defeated Police Officer 2 Carl Hocog and Police Officer 3 Joey Cruz in gobbling down the most number of burgers.

Laniyo and Camacho won Hard Rock gift certificates and a small trophy.

Camacho, in an interview, said this is his first time to participate in the contest since he was off-island when the same contest was held last year. Last year’s winners, Stuart Peter and Gary Cruz, are the ones who are off-island this time.

“I’m super excited because we defended the title for those guys,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Camacho thanked Hard Rock Café for paying tribute to all DPS staff. “It’s such a great honor,” he added.

Challengers Hocog and Cruz, meanwhile, received certificates of participation.

“The two firefighters won because we let them,” Hocog quipped.

He added, “We thank Hard Rock for thinking of us and giving appreciation to our services.”

Mayor Donald Flores, who served as guest speaker for yesterday’s event, expressed amazement that a private business honored the uniformed men and women in the community who serve and protect the public.

“The nature of their jobs puts their lives at risk everyday while trying to protect and save others,” said the mayor as he thanked all of them and their families.

Hard Rock staff

Hard Rock personnel also had their own burger eating contest for their female and male employees.

Kitchen staff Rolly Paraiso bested Dennis Fabian and Mikka Valencia after devouring three burgers.

“I enjoyed it and became very full,” said Paraiso who has been with Hard Rock for five years.

Frenilyn Bautista beat Melinda Solis and April Dela Cruz after almost finishing one burger.

“I knew I would win because I’m a voracious eater,” she said.

During the event, the Hard Rock team also uttered a prayer for the two missing sisters, Faloma and Meleina Luhk.

“We invited everyone but the turnout wasn’t that many because most of the DPS staff are involved in the search efforts for the Luhk sisters,” said operations manager Reynaldo Perez.

Perez said they have been in communication with DPS Commissioner Ramon Mafnas who expressed his regret that not a lot of their men and women can take part in the event.

According to Perez, they have also provided in-kind donation that will help the DPS staff in their search operation.

“We just wanted to give tribute to them. That was our objective in commemorating our Founders’ Day,” he added.

All the DPS and Hard Rock staff also participated in the ceremonial slicing of a guitar-shaped cake.