PIDJANGA of Mainit, Surigao Norte: Viva Sr. San Nicolas

Pidjanga

(Glossogobius giuris) is a freshwater fish native to Mainit Lake. It is called “biya” in Tagalog and “white goby or tank goby” in English. The term “pidjanga” is also sometimes fondly used to refer to the Mainitnons, the people of the Municipality of Mainit, a town in Southern Philippines. This blog hopes to capture potentials of Migrants Pidjangas for the Development of our Town by attempting to document development issues, folk stories, and current concerns, about the Pidjanga — both the fish and the people.

Fr. Mars Tan of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) officiated yesterday St. Nicholas' Feastday Mass for Mainitnons at Fairmont Subdivision, Fairview, Quezon City. The group of around 100 Metro Manila-based Mainitnons, led by Mano Lolong Calang, Mano Cenon Japay, and Mana Jeje Reyes-Villegas, enjoyed Fr. Mars' "purely" Surigaonon homily.

The potluck food were overflowing. Despite of my borderline cholesterol level, I had to enjoy the taste of lechon to reminisce old experiences of having fiestas back home. Wow, I had great reconnections with a number original Mainitnons... the families of Beltran, Elsisura, Lincuna, Mosca, Modanza, Modanza, and several others.

Here are some of my snapshots.