Place: Fish Cages (Bolinao, Pangasinan)
Date: 09 July 2008

On our second day in Bolinao, we decided to go to the fish cages where Aunt Mary and her husband Uncle Arthur works. They practically live there now, because they can never really leave the cages unattended.

Uncle Arthur fetched us up at the Macanlaoan Port. From there, it only took about 10 minutes to get the fish cages. Getting in the boat was certainly difficult for most of us because the fear of the boat tumbling down controls us, but of course, we had no choice but to get in the boat so we can carry on. I slipped as I stepped on the concrete steps approaching the boat, but I was happy I wasn’t injured.

*** cousin melissa enjoying the view. ***

The view of the little islands “scattered” all over was so beautiful. I actually saw an island with a house on top of it, and although the house was beautiful (they must be really rich to buy an island - I wonder how they were able to purchase an island), I don’t think I would want to live on top of a mountain with sea surrounding you. The view is good and you might be on top of the world, but what if negative things happens? Call for help would be very difficult. Okay, I am thinking so negative. I am just being practical. I still prefer to have neighbors.

*** typical fish cages ***

Anyway, Aunt Mary welcomed us with kisses and tight hugs. She apologized if the place wasn’t that good, but I have no problem about it actually. So here’s what the place looked like: A small hut with a wide space was in the middle of two fish cages, one for the fingerling / small fishes, and the other for the big ones. When the big fishes were harvested, a new batch will be placed in the empty cage, and the process starts anew.

There was no electricity there, so the only way we could entertain ourselves was to feed the fishes, take pictures (or view them), and chit-chat. Mom and I took turns in feeding the smaller fishes, and it was really interesting how the fishes don’t lose their appetite despite the endless feeding on them! At first it was really fun seeing the fish create a feeding frenzy, but after emptying two sacks of feed, I could really feel the numbness on my legs and my right shoulder already started aching. I don’t think I could do this everyday day in day out. Big round of applause to Uncle Arthur for doing it over and over again.

*** the water was a bit cloudy, but here’s a look of the fishes.***

*** me throwing some feeds to the fishes. ***

According to Uncle Arthur, each cage has to be fed 20 sacks of feeds. No problem for him if he has companion, but during times when Aunt Mary is in Manila staying with her eldest daughter, what he would do is feed a sack to one cage, and feed a sack to the other cage. Everyday, a delivery boat drops by to hand over the sacks of feeds. It might be a lonely type of job, but there were other fish cages nearby, so if you need something, you can just holler. =) There is also a store nearby, so with a little paddle of the boat, you can already buy some of the basic necessities like candles, canned food, etc.

Being caretakers of the cages, they have the privilege to get fish and eat it, but that’s they only thing they can do. They’re free to eat as much fish as they can, just as long as they don’t take it to their family in the main island, or they don’t sell it elsewhere.

Because of this business, the population of mussels and oysters have increased in the area. Actually, the mussels just pretty much found a home in the plastic drums that acts as a floating device for the whole cage. These mussels and oysters are free for the caretakers to take and sell, the owner of the fish cage doesn’t really have a care at it. What my aunt and uncle would do is to drop a rope in the water and wait ’til it’s filled with mussels. When the mussels have matured, they harvest it and sell it or give to the relatives.

*** some mussels “growing” on the plastic drum. ***

They might not have electricity, but no one actually seemed to mind. Come to think of it, I didn’t really miss the blogging that much, but of course, if I stayed longer, I probably would start complaining.

*** Jenn ***