Hundreds attend 11th Annual Pika Festival

KAMMER BEACH, Tinian—This year’s 11th Annual Pika Festival over the weekend was a hit, with visitors and residents alike flocking to Tinian to experience a unique celebration of the island’s donni sali, a small but potent hot pepper that is indigenous to the island.

Eight female contestants vie for the hot pepper-eating contest championship, where ground donni sali is mixed with soba and contestants eat everything until the last bit. Lucia Ayuyu, fourth from right, held on to her title for the second year in a row as the hot pepper eating champion. The 11th Annual Hot Pepper Festival was held in Kammer Beach, Tinian over the weekend. (Jayson Camacho)

The festival kicked off at 2pm on Saturday and, despite a slow start, Tinian Mayor Joey San Nicolas said that Tinian is “hitting strong” as it rolls over the celebration of the festival’s 11th year with entertainment, food, and various competitions.

Besides San Nicolas, others that gave opening remarks included Lt. Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Perry Tenorio, and Tinian Municipal Council chair Reynaldo Cing.

Tinian Senior and Junior High School’s JROTC followed with a rifle demonstration for the crowd.

In the Umang Race for boys, Brayden Santos came in first place as his umang, or crab, was the biggest and fastest. Marcial and Mark Soliva came in second and third, respectively. In the girls division, Hailey Rae Santos took first place, Janean King took second place, and Paige Melanee took third.

The hot pepper-eating contest for women featured two Korean celebrities, Do Aira and Soo Min Lee, who are both Korean models. And for the second year in a row, Lucia Ayuyu took home the first place trophy. Yashoda Adhikari took second place, while Marilyn San Nicolas took third.

Ayuyu said she feels great to retain the crown in the hot pepper-eating contest and that she’ll try to continue to be the reigning champ in the female category next year.

Aside from the entertainment and competitions, over 24 booths sold food, drinks, alcohol, clothing, accessories, hot peppers, and many more items for visitors and residents to enjoy.

MVA’s Tenorio said the Tinian Hot Pepper Festival is a much-anticipated event that continues to grow in popularity with both local residents and off-island guests.

“It is Tinian’s premier event and validates how the public and private sector can work together successfully. In the next couple of days, you will truly discover the taste and warmth of Tinian and its people,” Tenorio said.

A visitor from Guam told Saipan Tribune that he has been attending the Pika Festival for over five years. He said he waits for the festival every year and books his flights early.

The festival was not without some minor glitches. According to Tinian MVA’s Vida Borja, the ferry departing for Saipan yesterday had a last-minute cancellation due to safety reasons. Guests who expected to ride the ferry back to Saipan were informed to see MVA representatives for help.

The last ferry that left Tinian yesterday was at 2pm.

“Despite the ferry being cancelled on the last day of the event, the turnout was better this year. We had different entertainment and had more local entertainers take the stage and had really good competitions and we will continue to do that,” Borja said.