Contest grand prize winner eats 35 fish balls in a minute

Gener De Guzman, 40, took home the $1,000 grand prize at Island Pacific’s Superball by downing 35 fish balls in one minute. SCREENSHOT

WALNUT, California – With entries coming from all over the state of California, 23 finalists competed in the first-ever Island Pacific fish ball eating contest held at the supermarket’s Santa Clarita branch to coincide with Super Bowl weekend last month.

Gener De Guzman, 40, took home the $1,000 grand prize at Island Pacific’s Superball by downing 35 fish balls in one minute.

De Guzman drove more than 300 miles for six straight hours all the way from Vallejo, California to devour the fish balls, which are readily available at local branches of Island Pacific Filipino Grocery Store and Seafood Market.

He. came with his daughter who also competed and won second runner-up, tying with two other finalists.

Aside from them, a mother and son team also drove from Temecula to Santa Clarita just to join in the festivities. The 10-year-old contestant was the youngest, yet most strategic, among all finalists. Although they didn’t win, they vlogged about their experience.

Island Pacific confirmed that due to the highly successful event, the Island Pacific SuperBall: Fishball Eating Contest will be an annual event during Super Bowl weekend. SCREENSHOT

No one walked away empty-handed as the runner-up took home $500, the three other runners-up received a consolation prize of $100 each, and the rest of the finalists were given $20 worth of Island Pacific gift certificates as consolation prizes.

Film star hosts Donita Rose and “G” Töngi were joined by vloggers and other Filipino and Filipino American celebrities.

In partnership with Mekeni and the SoCal Filipinos Community, Island Pacific confirmed that due to the highly successful event, the Island Pacific SuperBall: Fishball Eating Contest will be an annual event during Super Bowl weekend.

Highlights from the event can be viewed on Island Pacific’s official YouTube Channel airing every Friday for #FilipinoFridays this March. The entire episode of the SuperBall Fishball eating contest can be viewed on Island Pacific’s Official YouTube Channel as well.