By Vince Jacob Visaya
TUGUEGARAO CITY — Three individuals created big names here for simply eating their favorite pancit batil fotun noodles — and in rapid manner at that.
They were Happy Romina, Jam Christian Gamboa and Doningo Gacias, who finished 1-2-3 in that order, during the Pavvurulun Festival eating contest in Tuguegarao City on Aug. 8.
The three contestants in the original plating category were able to consume plateful of pancit batil fotun all inside one minute, with Romina pocketing P5,000 for being the fastest eater, Gamboa taking home P3,000 for finishing second and Gacias earning P2,000 for third place finish.
The feast, part of the city’s anniversary celebration, featured the fastest-eating contest for the original plating and spicy plating categories.
For spicy plating winners, Jay-ar Narag won first place with P5,000 cash in less than a minute, while Felix Pamittan pocketed P3,000 and Mark Anthoony Lumaban P2,000 for settling for second and third places, respectively.
Each fastest eater also received a double-burner stove and LPG gas tank.
Mayor Maila Ting-Que told guests and visitors during the affair that the local rice noodle batil fotun is a dish known worldwide.
“Show the people, the world, what Tuguegarao is made of, especially, the best of the best of our pancit batil fotun,” she said.
The delicacy’s popularity extends beyond the region, attracting visitors from across the country and even abroad.
The dish is traditionally topped with sautéed meats and vegetables, and a raw egg stirred into simmering beef broth, a preparation that has long been a favorite among locals.#
