2016 Tinian Hot Pepper Festival

By Jon Perez

Posted on Feb 15 2016

PHOTOS By JON PEREZ

: Devon sings shows off some of his winning moves in the kendama competition in the elementary division in last Saturday’s Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival at Kammer Beach.

: Cody Dela Cruz, left, competes against Jasper Borja in the kendama elementary division. Dela Cruz was second.

: Aiden Borja finished third in the kendama elementary division. A kendama is a traditional Japanese toy that has three cups, a ball tied in a string, and a spike.

: Brandon Santos, left, cheers on his opponent in the high school division of the kendama competition.

: Brandon Santos was the high school kendama champion.

: One of the competitors in the kendama high school competition performs one of his tricks.

: Cheryl Castro, left, prepares to husk the coconut in the women’s husking and grinding contest.

: Rita Sanchez quickly grates the coconut in the women’s husking and grinding contest. She and teammate Emily Manglona was the fastest pair.

: Ana Cabael yearly joins the festival and has her own booth that sells clothes and toys.

: Local band the Trio—Arlan Agador, Nikita Mendiola, and Julian Hofschneider—serenaded the crowd with a variety of acoustic songs.

: The XO female group entertained the crowd with a hip hop dance number.

: Joshua Q. Castro (Zoszengzung) and Fakiezero had a lively rap performance.

: The Natural Hi—composed of sophomores and seniors at the Tinian Junior and Senior High School—showcased their singing talents.

: Competitors in the female hot pepper eating contest wait for the signal before munching a bowl of hot soba laced with three tablespoons full of Tinian hot pepper.

: Lucia Ayuyu raises her arms after winning the female hot pepper eating contest.

: Johnson Delos Santos, left, talks with Luis Mundo as Sheila Cruz busies herself in preparing her dish in Sunday’s Estofao Pika Cooking contest.

: The Rhythm Boys compete in the Dragon Boat race.

: Members of the Saipan Music & Dance Studio poses for a group photo after their performance.

: A part of the crowd that watched the activities of this year’s Pika Festival

: A child enjoys the giant slide that was set up in the west side of the venue.

: Carla Aldan poses with her entry in the Estofao Pika Cooking contest.

Jon Perez | Reporter

Jon Perez began his writing career as a sports reporter in the Philippines where he has covered local and international events. He became a news writer when he joined media network ABS-CBN. He joined the weekly DAWN, University of the East’s student newspaper, while in college.

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