In search of a true Filipino gurgitator

One day, a very long time ago, a Cro-Magnon man with initiative set out to find food. After a long day he returned back to the cave where he and his kind lived and they had a feast. Maybe it was pterodactyl eggs or trilobite, or maybe it was prehistoric saluyot at labong; no one will ever know. It could have happened that this feast did not take place without several arguments over apportioning the food. Ideas such as “control,” “gluttony,” “sharing” and “eating competition” might have sprung forth.

Over time the concept of man evolved and took new form. The search for new lands, medieval times, The Renaissance, The Industrial Revolution — all these changed man’s perception of himself, the world, the Almighty, as well as his role on this Earth. Man evolved leaps and bounds beyond his Neanderthal ancestors. But somehow, he still enjoyed eating and stuffing himself silly.

Returning from expeditions, explorers made it a point to bring home exotic foods, herbs, and spices in the search of new flavors. The Renaissance was a time of rebirth in terms of the arts, ways of thinking, and acquiring knowledge. New perspectives in terms of culinary techniques must have found their way to the fore as well. During the Industrial Revolution, factories for heavy industries and mass food production were created to satisfy the appetites of the rapidly growing number of individuals. The constant throughout the course of history, it seems, is food.

In between the really significant historical points of reference with regards to food, both official and unofficial records must have been set for the most number of meat pies or watermelon wedges eaten in a given amount of time. Although definitely not as important as The Renaissance or the Industrial Revolution, these contests set the basic framework of any eating competition that takes place today.

The ancient contests probably took place in the town square, the King’s court, or during some kind of county fair. The prize for the winner was something funny like taking home the largest meat pie or the biggest watermelon.

Nowadays, there is an actual governing body for competitive eaters called the International Federation of Competitive Eating, or IFOCE. “Gurgitators,” as they like to be called, are serious about devouring and consider eating a sport. They train by drinking loads of water so that their stomachs can expand, and developing effective personal eating techniques based on science like studying food density and finding out which liquids are best in breaking down certain foods. Their minds have to be prepared as well. Take for example 24-year-old Joey Chestnut who holds the record for eating 66 hotdog sandwiches in 12 minutes. Just thinking about the gag reflex this would trigger, “mind over matter” definitely must have had a lot to do with his feat.

The prizes get pretty serious these days, too. Definitely there are the bragging rights, but there are also more tangible rewards. In the Philippines, 7-Eleven is holding the Big Bite Match to discover who the fastest Filipino hotdog gurgitator really is. The prize? P500,000 in cash. That’s pretty serious.

To show us Filipinos how it’s done, 7-Eleven flew in internationally renowned competitive eater Tom “Goose” Gilbert to serve as an inspiration for aspiring Filipino gurgitators. In his demonstration, he wolfed down 10 hotdogs in three minutes. Gag.

“Filipinos love to eat and we also respond well to challenges,” says 7-Eleven’s Food Service Division manager Armi Andrade. “This combination creates an ideal environment for competitive eating. We aim to provide Filipino competitive eaters a venue that can be recognized on an international scale to showcase their one-of-a-kind skill,” she continues. She also believes that this competition will be a novel way to bring communities together since they are held in 7-Eleven outlets nationwide.

Are you up to the challenge? Go to your nearest 7-Eleven outlet, buy the Big Bite combo and ask about the Big Bite Match. Whatever you do, be prepared for serious eating. And remember: For the chance of winning big bucks, don’t hurl.

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The Big Bite Match runs from June 26 to August 15. To find out more, go to your nearest 7-Eleven store and post your best time. You might make it to the final event in August where the grand prize is P500,000.

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Erratum: I would like to correct a photo caption that appeared in my column on July 10. The Crosswind is a proudly Filipino assembled vehicle made by the well-respected company, Isuzu.

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E-mail me at enricomiguelsubido@yahoo.com.