Heat of competition burns 7 ‘sili’ eaters

LEGAZPI CITY — Excitement burns in more ways than one.

Seven contestants of the annual sili-eating contest here found out that eating more than what you can chew is no way to beat a Guinness record or win the top prize.

Five male and two female participants had to be treated by medical personnel after turning pale and grimacing in pain during the competition.

One of them even claimed seeing demons while in a dazed spell.

"Nakahiling ako nin pitong demonyo (I saw seven demons)," said 45-year-old Grizon Nacion of Barangay Malabog, Daraga town, who was hoping to break Armando Martillana’s record of 550 chili peppers in three minutes aside from taking home the top prize of P15,000.

Martillana’s feat, accomplished in the same chili-eating contest in 2001, landed him in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Nacion and six others were treated for "capsaicin burns" in the throat and stomach.

Capsaicin is a chemical compound in chili peppers that kills microorganisms and provides its fiery sensation. When eaten in large quantities, capsaicin can burn areas in the tongue, esophagus and the stomach.

Nacion had to be intravenously infused with 2 ml of Zantac, 30 cc of Maalox and cimitidine.

Roland Nimo, 28, of Barangay Kirangay, Camalig town, won the men’s division and consumed 420 pieces of siling labuyo, while 43-year-old Svelen Barrameda of Rapu-Rapu copped first place honors in the women’s round with 200.

Nimo and Barrameda won P15,000 each, while second-placers Franklin Bristol (men’s) and Salvacion Marco (women’s) both took home P10,000.

The annual sili-eating contest was the brainchild of Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara in recognition for the Bicolano’s well-known penchant for spicy food.

The eating competition has been going on for eight years and is one of the highlights of the month-long Magayon Festival.

Gigi Manzanilla, provincial board member and chairwoman of this year’s competition, said the contest has made Albay renowned among chili pepper lovers.