The Guinayangan Republic

 Whenever I visit Balinarin, (Look at the archive about this place) there is something I always do besides swimming; even the people who guard the place never notice that. I feed those little tiny schools of fish swimming on the shallow edge of the river with my dead skin cell. Yes, they eat my dead organic trash, but if the setting will going to be switch somewhere in Amazon River, I would rather not to do that, cause I’m sure the fish will be more interested in my flesh rather than my dead skin.

I read it from the internet about the health beneficial effects of this unusual feeding with my organic parts. In the outdoor pools in Turkey, tiny little fish known as "doctor fish" live and breed with one sole purpose—to feed on the dead skin of psoriasis patients, I know I have no problem with my skin, but I find it very relaxing.

The sensation is pleasant and prickling initially, like a "micro-massage." The massage feeling is gradually replaced by an all-over tingling sensation, which adds a psychological component to the treatment as it feels the healing process taking place. The tingling is caused by the scales being cleared away and the lesions being exposed to the water and sunlight. It’s like I’m having a general feeling of well-being envelops —which is particularly beneficial to get away the stress of everyday life.

The calming environment contributes to this feeling of healing. They consume only dead areas of skin, leaving healthy skin to grow and remain smooth. The outdoor location, the chirping of the bird and sounds of rolling water of the river also offer beneficial effects to me, but the main benefit comes from the doctor fish.

The fish always hungry and on the lookout for food—which in this case is me rather than plankton. They nibble away at the scales of my dry skin that have been softened by the water.

Try this whenever you have a chance to visit the resort. Just find a secluded part of the river with shallow water, where you can sit and relax with your feet submerged half of your knees. You don’t have to find the fish, they will find you.

Alimasag’s life cycle is dependent on estuarine, a semi-enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea. It is not strictly marine as it commonly enters estuaries for food and shelter. Ragay Gulf is one of the best example of this kind of habitat.

Not surprisingly, Alimasag has become intertwined with the gastronomy, economy, and the culture of the people of Guinayangan, a coastal town owing its foundation from this mighty gulf.
Alimasag have become the most recognizable icon of Guinayangan, more identified than coconut. The people here enjoy and utilize this most endeared and highly patronized seafood. As a table fare for them and for their visitors, and most importantly as the livelihood of the fisher folks who catch it. When all aspects were factored in, alimasag has contributed a great impact in this town. It serves as the leading tourist attraction for seafood lover.

Guinayanganin knows how to make the best tasting alimasag on the planet. With their expertise, cook it alive if you wanted it sweet and rich. It is compulsory to hear the moving agony of the crabs inside the casserole while the heat is in full blast. Animal activist must be in pain while reading this article, but this is the best way to get the heavenly taste of this gastronomical fare. By the way, it’s logical to position the crabs on their back when steaming them or they will crawl out of the pot during the process.

Female crabs are most sought after than the male, because of the rich and tasty fats called aligue inside their body. Especially those "Pregnant" which carry fertilized eggs under their abdomen. Some prefer the males for its juiciness and not so firm meat claws. And also it doesn’t have aligue, presuming less of a calorie bomb.

Male crabs can be distinguished from females by the shape of the abdomen. The male has a T-shaped abdomen that is held tightly against the body until maturity, when it becomes somewhat free. The immature female has a triangle-shaped abdomen that is tightly sealed against the body. The mature female’s abdomen becomes rounded and can be easily pulled away from the body after the final molt.

It’s unlikely or very seldom in other places like Manila to buy this crustacean alive and feisty. The crabs often come dead, or recently deceased. Probably owing to their being caught from the sea and placed on ice for many hours before they make it to the city. Here in this town, you can buy the freshest (as fresh as -you can go straight home and cook it alive) and the cheapest (cause you can buy it directly from the crabbers beside the beach-where it caught) alimasag you’ve been craving for.




Ang Alimasag at Alimango

Nakaamoy si Ngongo ng pabango sa isang store.
Sabi ng Ngongo: "Ale, mango!"
Sagot ng Saleslady: "Pabango 'yan, hindi alimango!"
Sambit uli ng Ngongo: "Ale, mango!"
Nag-agawan si Ngongo at ang saleslady sa pabango. Nahulog ang pabango at
nabasag.
Sabi ni Ngongo: "Ale, masag!

Noong 1896 dumating ang mga pamilya ng Apolonario Porlay, Adriano Cataquiz at Catalino Servando sa sabang ng Capuluan. Naibigan nilang manirahan sa baybaying ito na may dalawang nakaungos na punta na parang pulo, kaya tinawag nila itong Capuluan.

Sumunod sa kanila ang mga Purio, Olivera at Malana. Sa pamumuno ni Ciriaco Beco (Ka Dacoy) ang mga Batanguenio ay nanirahan sa sitio ng Nabangka, na sakop ng Capuluan Central. Nahati sa dalawang barangay ang Capuluan, ang Central at Tulon.

Sa mga sitio ng Capuluan Central, ang Sitio Nabangka, Plaza Kape at Bungalo ang nasa baybayin ng dagat. Ang aplaya nito ang may pinakamaganda sa lahat ng nasasakupan ng Guinyangan dahil sa ito ay malinis at hindi pa naabot halos na karamihan sa bayan. Mala asukal ang pagkapino ng buhangin nito sa baybayin, mababaw at akmang akma bilang paliguan.

Mas kilala ang buong Brgy.Capuluan Central bilang Nabangka. Sa katunayan nga ay marami pa ring nagkakamali na ang Nabangka ay isang barangay ng Guinayangan, ngunit isa lamang itong sitio at nagsisilbing kabisera ng barangay. Ngunit kagaya ng ibang lugar na may dalawang pangalan, batid naman ng mga nainirahan dito na ang tinutukoy nila ay iisa lamang.

Mayaman ang baryo sa biyayang dagat at handog ng matabang lupa sa katihan. Mahigit kumulang isang libo at limang daang katao ang nainirahan dito ayon sa nakaraang sensus ng pamahalaan. Masisipag at masayahing likas, at magaling makipagkapwa tao. Marami sa mga kabataan na likas na taga dito ay naninirahan at naghahap buhay  na sa ibang lugar o ibang bansa.