Photos and story by Art G. Valenzuela
HAVE you ever wondered why the famous Dagupan Bangus (sometimes called Bonoan Bangus) tastes deliciously different from the rest of those harvested elsewhere in the country (and, perhaps, in the entire world)?

A few years ago, while I was having “Kilawen bangus” (milkfish sashimi) with a fishpond operator from Barangay Bonoan – home of the tastiest bangus in the city — he told me that bangus grown in brackish water have a shorter lower tail, a pointed snout, and a rounded belly. It is the only bangus specie in this whole wide world which entrails taste like heaven. And I totally agree. The city’s fishermen cultivate and grow bangus in two locations: In fish cages which are located along rivers and tributaries running across the city: and the second is in brackish water fishponds which comprise almost fifty percent of the city’s land area. Those grown in brackish water fishponds taste deliciously “out of this world.” About 78.5 percent are grown in fish pens/cages while the rest, and the best, grow in brackish water fishponds.

He explained that Bonoan bangus grown in brackish water fishponds have shorter lower tail because once it detects algae embedded in the mud, it turns around and picks the algae from out of the mud using its rear lower tail, then turns around just as quickly to pick it. Constant practice makes the lower tail shorter. Apparently, is also the secret — bangus grown in brackish water fishponds tastes heavenly. Commercial feeds are also given to bangus stocks by bangus growers.

According to the local PIO, “Our milkfish industry produce an estimated 16,000 tons of milkfish annually. Being a major supplier in the country, we conduct yearly livelihood seminars for local fishermen of the city. Thousands of jobs are generated through the bangus industry including bangus farmers, processors, and dealers.”

Now, you can be assured that the milkfish you have bought is from Dagupan. The Dagupan city government now certifies our milkfish to assure our buyers that the milkfish they buy is from Dagupan.

The city also prides itself on tasty oysters grown along the city’s river tributaries.

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