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.

The Lake Mainit Resort Hotel


The Lake Mainit Kasili Resort Hotel
Inaugurated and blessed on September 2009.
Building construction: P24 million

Jul 27, 2009

Traveling from Manila to Mainit

So far I know of 4 ways of going home to Mainit from Manila.
1. Lupad (by air)
2. Layag (by water)
3. Ligid (by land)
4. Baktas (hahaha - waya pa bagay nubirada nan ini!)

Kun lupad... Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air have daily flights to Butuan. It takes usually, 1 hour and 20 minutes flight. Around 3 hours from your residence in Metro Manila to the airport and your actual waiting time plus 4 hours from Bangkasi (Butuan) Airport to Mainit, that gives your roughly 8 hours from Manila to Mainit.

Kun lajag... usually 30 hours sailing time (bisan waya nay barko na lajag an gamit) if the route is straight Manila-Surigao. Around 4-5 hours from your residence until actual departure of the ship in Manila, and 2-3 hours from disembarkation from Surigao pier to Mainit, that gives you roughly 36-38 hours from Manila to Mainit. But in the case of my brother who took Sulpicio Lines (I think via MV Princess of the Orient) last May, where the engines STOPPED several times along the way... it took them 48 hours from Surigao to Manila. I wouldn't be surprised that Sulpicio Lines is now grounded because of the tragedy of MV Princess of the Stars... the Coast Guard and the MARINA (and ALL of us who recently had tried the Surigao-Manila vessels) already know that seaworthiness of most inter-island ships are very, very doubtful !!!

And kun ligid... one of my Yaya's, as I have blogged, went home on vacation and took Philtranco (which was postponed twice because of Typhoon Frank), arrived Mainit on Wednesday (25 June2008) at 3 AM. The bus left Cubao, Quezon City at 5PM (originally scheduled at 12nn) of Sunday, 22 June 2008. That made the entire land trip for 58 hours from Manila to Mainit.

Aha... an tanan may 8 hours sa ikog... so duda ko...

Kun bagtas (by foot)... it will take one 888 hours from Manila to Mainit.

June 27, 2008

LMDA shares development plan


Engr. Kaiser "Mano Onyot" Recabo of the Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA) sent the following materials for Mainit Dot Org:
1. LMDA Souvenir Calendars (4 copies) - 3 of these beautiful copies are up for grabs. Let me know if you are interested.
2. The LMDA Development Agenda (1 copy - 21 pages) - Mano Onyot promised me to send the digital copy. I will share this to the MDO Planning egroup once received.
3. Lake Mainit & Watershed Facsheets (2 copies) - These are very informative fact sheets. I'll try my best to find time uploading here parts of it.
4. LMDA Brochures (11 copies) - these are valuable info materials too.

For now, two areas of collaboration between MDO and LMDA are being done.
1. Development and production of IEC materials for the preservation of selected lake species (catfish [agok-ok], mudfish [hayuan], and the gob [pidjanga]). We will be tapping the graphics designers of MDO while LMDA will reproduce and distribute the materials. You can support us by sending in your contributions.
2. Finalization of Bed and Breakfast (B&B or Homestay Accomodations) rates and arrangements for tourists in preparation for the Balik Mainit 2006 during the Mainit's 75th Town Fiesta Celebration on 10-20 September 2006. Email us if you have questions or suggestions on this.

By: Zimmbodilion Y. Mosende
Apr 25, 2006

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Mainit Photos by CyberMonix

The Lake Mainit Resort (Hotel and Pools). Legacy of the Mondano administration. This project was heavily criticized because of the administration's seeming lack of prioritization. I, too, was one of those who provided critical scrutinies. But looking at this magnificent and beautiful structure and landmark, I feel proud, that finally, we can already accomodate our tourists with smile and pride. Well, tan-awon ta an management and maintenance kun unhon.


The resort from lakeside view.

Where is this? The former Lakeview Bakery? or the Moyon Grocery?

The Legislative Building. Legacy of Vice Mayor Nonoy Mosende and current councilors.

IT services are available in Mainit.


Salamat Mon for sharing.

Jun 24, 2009

Mainit Kasili Resort 2008 (Construction)













Pool ra kaha ini? O hotel? Waya may signage kun uno ini na proyekto, pila an budget, kun-o mahuman, etc.

Anyway, salamat Bob sa pagpadaya nan pictures.

Photo: Bobby Villapane (June 10, 2008)

Jun 19, 2008

2009 Araw nan Mainit Beauties: Dalaginding nan Mabuyok

It's been raining cats and dogs in Mainit, but despite of that, the Araw ng Mainit went on with beautiful Dalaginding nan Mabuyok pageant conducted last night. Here's a sampler from the collection of photos by Monmon Libarnes (http://screwface.multiply.com)

Photo: Monyx

Jan 16, 2009

The Beautiful Lake Mainit in Landbank 2009 Calendar

Please get hold of the 2009 Calendar of the Landbank of the Philippines.

The November-December page features the beautiful Lake Mainit and the Gamaw (wild duck).

I feel great seeing our beautiful lake!

If you can get an extra one... I'd like to have a copy (hehehe).

Jan 15, 2009

The Mainit Pool





Aya pa kahuman. Pero nagamit na nan Division Meet nan swimming.

Apr 14, 2009

Seven (7) Wonders of Mainit

1. Lake Mainit - Clearest Lake in the Philippines, Mainit's Identity and Soul
2. Mapaso Thermal Springs - The town's namesake, Dive in or submerge any object and you'll be petrified in minutes
3. Togonan Falls - Virgin wonder, Untouched by development, Unspoiled potential
4. Tambulayag Summit - Mainit's version of View from the Swiss Alps - it marries the beauty of the lake and the magnificence of Bohol Sea that kisses the horizon
5. Pidjanga - The lowly goby whose "fried liver" injects unparalleled intelligence among Mainitnons
6. Kongkistas eh Mamanwas - Proud ancient survivors of pure Filipino blood, bearer of unquestionable Filipino identity
7. The Acacia Trees in Rizal Street - Living monuments, Surviving witnesses of the story of Mainit and its people

puydi i-apas
8. Jegols the Freshwater Alligator - Symbol of corruption, embedded in Mainit Politics - SOON to be ERADICATED by passionate MG Advocates.

Maradjaw na adlaw didjo hurot!

My danao...

It is our danao (lake)... but let me savour these photos and claim this post as "my danao".

Some of the snapshots during our Lake Mainit tour last 16 April 2006 via Commander Yonie (our pumpboat).

The "limestones" along the shores of San Roque in Alegria (around 30 minutes from Mainit proper). It forms like a mini-cove. Can I call this Pidjanga Cove? Actually, I took photos of the "suloy" (similar to tiny swordfishes) in this area.


We were so lucky to see several wild ducks (locally known as gamaw) from about 20 minutes from Mainit proper. I think I have around 10 snapshots of them. Will upload the rest later.


The row of boats from the baybay (lakeshore). I was told that some of these were actually from fishermen of the Municipality of Jabonga. There are certain times of the year where Jabonganons come to Mainit to fish.


The Pidjanga Blogger... sa ibabao nan danao naglutao-lutao!


Jul 09, 2008

Recipe: Sinugbang Kasili (Grilled Freshwater Eel)

Unagi no Kabayaki (Grilled Freshwater Eel)

Unagi (eel or kasili) has been consumed in Japan since the 17th century. It used to be expensive food, but Unagi can be reasonably purchased nowadays. Unagi is rich in protein, calcium, vitamin A and E, and it's believed to give people stamina. So, unagi dishes are eaten the most during the hottest time of the year.

A common unagi dish is unagi no kaba-yaki (grilled eel). Prepared unagi meat (the main bone is removed) is skewered and grilled with sweet basting sauce. It's similar to teri-yaki. Most people in Japan buy unagi no kabayaki at stores instead of making it themselves. Before eating kabayaki, you only have to reheat it with kabayaki sauce. To make your own kabayaki sauce, mix 1/2 cup of soysauce, 1/2 of mirin, and 1/4 cup of sugar in a pan and simmer it until thicken.
[Read more]

Acknowledgment: Thanks to Cain Lincuna of MDO for sharing the link. The site has a copyright but I am not sure whether it is just for the photo or the entire article. Let this be a pidjanga experiment.

By: Zimmbodilion Y. Mosende
Apr 9, 2006

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Maradjao karadjao, Pilipinas!

Welcome to the online home of the Pidjangas from the Municipality of Mainit, Surigao del Norte, PHILIPPINES . Pidjanga, Pedianga, Pijanga, Pedjanga... amo ra ton... gikan sa ato danao! For comments and suggestion contact me at pidjanga@gmail.com.

CBCP News: Mining threatens 4th largest freshwater lake in PH

SEVEN are in the town of Mainit, Surigao del Norte... of the 15 exploration permits (EP) that the Regional Office 13 (CARAGA) of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Environment department approved as of June 30, 2010.

Read more at www.cbcpnews.com and Surigao Today.

If you want to support the protection of Lake Mainit, contact me at pidjangaATgmailDOTcom or 0917-800-4557. Zimm/Peter/Pidjanga

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Surigao Song

Mainit, Our Paraiso