IT was a picture-perfect weekend in The Marianas for the 21ST Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival held on Feb. 14-15, 2025.
Clear skies and an enthusiastic crowd made for a festive weekend of homage to the island’s diminutive hot pepper “donne sali,” which played prominently in the festival’s contests. Bragging rights for chomping through 100 pepper pieces went to Silvia Biz in 1st place, followed by Nicholas Wedel and Maria San Nicolas. In the JC Café Pika Burger Eating Contest, Jay Wolf chomped his way to 1st place, followed by Rene Esteban and Mat Komisars. The Katdun Pika cooking crown went to Rene Dungong, followed by Sylvia Biz, and then Junior Fernandez and Francisco Hossain tied for 3rd place.
The Pika Run 5K early on Saturday morning attracted 106 registrants, with winners in several categories. Juan Salgado crossed the finish line first, followed by Edmar Tirona, and Soren Hoffman. Topping the Men’s Division was Miguel Rodriquez, finishing first in the Women’s Division was Melissa Hawls, and finishing first in the Under Age 18 Division was Taliana Longonia.
In the kid’s Umang Race, Kyjuhn Alambra’s hermit crab raced to 1st place, followed by Joe White and Simone Ree Deleon Guerrero. In the Booth Decoration Contest, Blackout Bar was declared the best, followed by Emy’s and Tropics Bar. Winners of all contests won cash prizes.
The Tinian Hot Pepper Festival is organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority in cooperation with the Office of the Mayor of Tinian and Aguiguan and was held at the Fiesta Grounds in San Jose, Tinian, featuring live entertainment, food and drinks, arts and crafts, and more.
“Once again, the Tinian Hot Pepper Festival was a resounding success, thanks to the tremendous support of our sponsors, our partners and vendors, and most especially, the Tinian community,” said MVA Managing Director Christopher A. Concepcion. “Un dangkulu na si Yu’us ma’ase para todos — a big thank you to everyone!”
The annual festival is held on President’s Day weekend in The Marianas.
The 21st Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival was held on Feb. 14-15, 2025, in San Jose, Tinian, in The Marianas. The festival is an annual signature event of the Marianas Visitors Authority, organized in cooperation with the Office of the Mayor of Tinian and Aguiguan.
Non-profit 500 Sails offers free canoe rides at the 21st Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival held on Feb. 14-15, 2025, in San Jose, Tinian, in The Marianas.
The Pika Run 5K attracts 106 registrants during the 21st Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival on Feb. 14-15, 2025, in San Jose, Tinian, in The Marianas.
Pika Run 5K top finishers Juan Salgado, left, and Edmar Tirona celebrate their winning finish at the 21st Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival held on Feb. 14-15, 2025, in San Jose, Tinian, in The Marianas.
Pilar Jones, left, and a friend enjoy the Pika Run 5K during the 21st Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival held on Feb. 14-15, 2025, in San Jose, Tinian, in The Marianas.
Jay Wolf, center, chomps his way to 1st place in the JC Café Pika Burger Eating Contest during the 21st Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival held on Feb. 14-15, 2025, in San Jose, Tinian, in The Marianas.
Rene Dungong prepares her eventual 1st place entry to the Katdun Pika Cooking Contest during the 21st Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival held on Feb. 14-15, 2025, in San Jose, Tinian, in The Marianas.
An entry in the Katdun Pika Cooking Contest during the 21st Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival held on Feb. 14-15, 2025, in San Jose, Tinian, in The Marianas. The festival pays homage to the small but potent “donne sali” hot pepper.
Tinian Cultural Dancers perform at the 21st Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival on Feb. 14-15, 2025, in San Jose, Tinian, in The Marianas.
The diminutive but potent “donne sali” hot pepper is the star of the show at the 21st Annual Tinian Hot Pepper Festival on Feb. 14-15, 2025, in San Jose, Tinian, in The Marianas.
