Business Log
Finally, the Aquarium Resto is open
By Eva C. Visperas
This building became the center of discussion among radio commentators in Pangasinan.
The Aquarium Resto built inside the sprawling 24-hectare Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan City was built with the noblest intention of providing a very decent yet affordable restaurant that serves fish and other sea products, a diner can choose from a nearby Buhay Isdaan (Live Fish Market).
Its marketing concept is “ituro mo, iluto ko” (Take your pick, I will cook it).
Inside the BFAR center, you will see several research centers where researchers, students, those in the aquaculture sector, ordinary folks from Pangasinan and other local and foreign places, go and observe different species and technology. From the bangus hatchery, tilapia center, white shrimp culture, freshwater prawns production center, among others these often awe and inspire their visitors to go into aquaculture.
Adding to this list is the ongoing construction of the aquaculture academy.
But Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim, he, who has gone separate ways with JDV, called the project “ a white elephant”. That was the time when the resto had been constructed about more than a year and no one seemed interested to operate it.
I can’t blame some media friends who focused their commentaries on this issue but JDV’s reaction was we should not act like barangay captains (meaning that we are concerned only with our small barangay), that we must expand our horizon.
You’re right, Mr. Speaker. We must think and act globally.
Back to the resto. Biddings for interested operators of the resto were published in national dailies, but there was no taker. Talks were open for local restaurateurs like Matutina’s, Dagupeña, Cafe du Marc, yet no one was keen on accepting the offer.
So, Dr. Rosario was given the authority to look for someone who could possibly do business with them. We were invited to its opening but as we couldn’t make it because a press conference was hurriedly called by the police in the provincial headquarters that same time. Sorry for that, really.
Latest news from Dr. Rosario was, finally, someone inked a contract with them to operate the restaurant. Very good.
Several millions of House Speaker Jose de Venecia’s Countrywide Development Fund has been poured into these projects. He knows the needs of his district as well the future needs of the people. This is maybe one reason why, whenever Dr. Westly Rosario, the take-charge center chief, a trusted JDV ally and brains behind these important projects proposes more the speaker instantly acts on them.
Anyway, I assure you, the building itself is beautiful. On the first floor are aquaria of endangered or exotic species. In each aquarium is posted the name of the fish inside, its characteristics, among other vital information.
To cite some, there’s grouper, red tilapia, giant gourami, apahap, seabass, giant freshwater prawn, piranha, silver perch, butterfly fin koi, freshwater angel fish and of course, you will surely love this, ludong, the most expensive fish in the Philippines.
By the way, photojournalists Ray Zambrano (Inquirer) and Cesar Ramirez (Philippine Star) swore ludong is camera shy. I asked them to take a picture of me with ludong as I put my face beside ludong’s aquarium. To our surprise, ludong got near me and kept a quick pose as if it was kissing my face. Look at that. Beautiful photo I would keep in my album. Others tried, too, but ludong shied away.
But Mayor Lim said in our brief talk the other day, that he still maintains that project is a white elephant. So, mayor, should we name it, The White Elephant Restaurant? I kidded him.
He just smiled.
(You can also read this writer’s other stories at http://businessblog.prepys.com.)
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