{"id":247047,"date":"2017-02-23T06:06:37","date_gmt":"2017-02-22T20:06:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=247047"},"modified":"2017-02-23T06:06:37","modified_gmt":"2017-02-22T20:06:37","slug":"pika-festival-highlights-tinians-best","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/pika-festival-highlights-tinians-best\/","title":{"rendered":"Pika Festival highlights Tinian\u2019s best"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Marianas<\/a>
Marianas Visitors Authority board member Juan Barcinas and MVA staff receive a plaque of appreciation from Tinian Mayor Joey Patrick San Nicolas, in white, at the 13th Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival on Feb. 18, 2017, in the Marianas. Also pictured are Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, fourth from left, and other dignitaries. (MVA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tropical heat, hospitality, and the heat of \u201cdonne sali\u201d (hot pepper) were the highlights of the
\n13th Tinian Hot Pepper Festival on Feb. 18-19, 2017.<\/p>\n

Storm clouds earlier in the week made way for beautiful, blue skies at Tachog\u00f1a Beach, Tinian,
\nwhere sunshine danced across the Philippine Sea as islanders performed on a nearby stage. Live entertainment over the weekend ranged from the homegrown reggae band Uprooted opening the festival, to young people showcasing indigenous Chamorro dance, to T-shirt-clad teenagers rendering modern moves.<\/p>\n

In booths decorated with coconut fronds and hot peppers, vendors offered a mouthwatering assortment of international cuisine laced with the island\u2019s famous pepper, such as the Chamorro \u201ctamales gisu\u201d (cornmeal dish) and \u201ccoco papaya\u201d (pickled papaya), samosa, and chocolate brownies.
\nThe festival was organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority and supported by the Tinian Mayor\u2019s Office and 16th Tinian Municipal Council, who provided meals for entertainers, manpower, and other support. During the opening ceremony, Tinian Mayor Joey Patrick San Nicolas welcomed Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and his family to the event, boasting of the casualness of the occasion that dignitaries were attending in short pants. San Nicolas also presented a plaque of appreciation to MVA board member Juan Barcinas and other representatives of the MVA for their support of tourism on Tinian over the last 40-plus years.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was my first ever Pika Festival, and it was as exciting and tasty as I imagined,\u201d said MVA managing director Christopher A. Concepcion, who joined the festivities on Sunday. \u201cI had the honor of judging the \u2018estafao pika\u2019 (spicy meat dish) contest and it was pretty hot. Tinian is famous for their \u2018donne sali\u2019 and I am a big fan, so it was tons of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Numerous competitions were held. In a field of seasoned locals and brave visitors, Jay Jess San Nicholas downed his bowl of \u201cdonne sali\u201d-laced soba to displace last year\u2019s champion. In the women\u2019s heat on Sunday, Valerie Naputi emerged this year\u2019s top winner. The participants were all rewarded with cooling ice cream after their feat. JC Caf\u00e9 also hosted a burger eating contest and winners of both the hot pepper and burger eating contests received cell phones from IT&E.<\/p>\n

JC Caf\u00e9 finished first in the dragon boat race, joined by Guerrero Team and T Roots in the competition. Under the pine trees between the circle of booths and the crystal clear ocean, Adahe\u2019 bested all other teams to win the beach volleyball contest. Adult and children\u2019s sack races, as well as a children\u2019s \u201cumang\u201d (hermit crab) race, were also held.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year\u2019s festival was another success, thanks to the partnership of the Tinian Mayor\u2019s Office, the Tinian Municipal Council, and the people of Tinian,\u201d said MVA Community Projects manager Martin Duenas. \u201cThis year we were able to provide a shuttle between the airport, seaport, and festival grounds, which made it even more convenient for visitors. We thank everyone who supported the event, and we look forward to next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Additional sponsors and supporters were Bridge Capital Inc. and MARPAC.
\nThe Tinian Hot Pepper Festival is held each Presidents Day weekend in February.
\nThe 65K Pika Bike Race was cancelled, due to inclement weather that forced the cancellation of Friday\u2019s ferry that bikers had booked to travel on. Ferry refunds are available by visiting the MVA office or calling 664-3200\/01. (MVA)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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