Chili, Bicol’s cheap version of Viagra
LEGAZPI
Bert Gonzales, who made it to the 2000 Guinness Book of Records for eating hundreds of siling labuyo, swears eating chili has the same effect as Viagra.
Viagra is manufactured by Pfizer and has sildenafil citrate, now a popular medication for penile erectile dysfunction. It increases the blood flow to the penis and is effective for up to four hours.
Gonzales was rushed to the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) after winning the Sili Eating Contest ten years ago.
“I was really surprised when I was confined at the hospital that I had an erection running for almost twelve hours. It was the first time I experienced such feeling,” he said.
Grison Nacion, who took second place, was also taken to hospital after the contest.
The contest was the highlight of the month-long Magayon Festival organized by former Albay governor and now congressman of the province’s second district Al Francis Bichara.
“Eating a lot of siling labuyo is very risky but if all the contestants are properly screened and stand-by medicine and health teams are ready in case of an emergency, then it’s okay,” Gonzales said.
The Sili King said he was happy for both Marti and Sally Nolasco for winning the male and female category during the laing and Bicol Express eating competition last Saturday.
Observers said this year’s HOT-AW SA KAONAN contest was not so hot after all, unlike ten years ago.
Although liters of milk and antacids tablets as well as three ambulances were on stand-by, not one among the 20 contestants complained of severe stomach pain during the contest.
Ten female contestants were asked to consume 250 grams of hot laing and 175 grams of Bicol express within one minute, while the next batch of ten male contestants were told to consume 250 grams of hot laing and 250 grams of Bicol express in two minutes.
Five ground fresh chili peppers were mixed into each bowl of the female contestants, while ten pieces were mixed into each bowl of the male contestants.
Laing or taro leaves cooked with coconut milk, smoked fish, tiny shrimps, ginger, onion and garlic comprise the native dish laing. Large green chili peppers cut to small pieces and cooked with pork, small shrimps, garlic and coconut milk are the ingredients of the popular appetizer known locally as Bicol express.
“Mahina pa ang anghang (It was not so hot),” said Marti Nolasco, who bagged the top prize in the men’s category.
Nolasco said he regularly eats at least five hot chili peppers during meals as appetizers.
He finished his serving in one minute; Dennis Balisa of Barangay Tumpa in Camalig town finished his in one minute and thirty seconds. Morison Putakti of Barangay Quirangay in Camalig town, Albay came in third.
Sally, Marti’s 27-year-old sister-in-law, won first prize in the women’s category; Redelinia Ludovice finished second, while Maricris Llamarisis settled for third.
Sally said she felt a mild stomach ache after the feat but after taking milk and water the pain subsided.
Albay Gov. Joey Salceda donated P10,000, P7,000, P5,000 to the winners and consolation cash prices to all the contestants.
“As governor I am really happy to see these contests and all the events and attractions of our month-long Magayon Festival which is a celebration to show our unity,” Salceda said.
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