Bicolano sili eater

LEGAZPI CITY -- The Bicolano who had earlier landed in the hospital for too much intake of native peppers locally known as "siling labuyo" finally made it to the Guinness Book of World Records with the title "World's sili king."

In a "fax" message sent to the Albay provincial government yesterday, Rasila Kuntawala, Guinness Records' researcher, said that Eriberto Gonzales, 28, was already officially listed in the book's world records as the first man who was able to eat at least 350 pieces of pepper with scientific name "capsicum frutescens linn," known in the Philippines as "siling labuyo."

Gonzales was declared champion in the sili-eating contest held in May 26 last year by eating some 350 pieces of pepper at one time. The affair was part of the yearly month-long Magayon festival in May held in Albay.

Cecille Obligacion, the one who worked out for the inclusion of Gonzales in the Guinness Records, told The STAR that Albay had sent a complete video documentary of the event to Guinness, which became its basis for the decision.

Gonzales officially became the third Filipino who was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. The other two were the former wife of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, for possessing some 3,000 pairs of shoes, and four-time World Bowling Cup champion Rafael Nepomuceno.