The place where you could find probably the best tasting milk fish in the country is also the home of the top bangus deboners.

Belen Recosana, a junior student of the Alaminos City National High School (ACNHS), cemented this long-standing fact when she emerged as the national champion in the Bangus Deboning Competition during the 5th Student Technologists and Entrepreneurs of the Philippines National Skills Development and Competition (STEP-NSDC) held at Teachers Camp, Baguio City from Nov. 19-24, 2006.

The 15 year-old lass bested her counterpart from all over the country and impressed the judges with her unconventional and precise deboning method, an art she learned from her teacher-coach Mrs. Myrna Rabina, herself, a skilled bangus deboner.

Her schoolmate, Mark William Vidanes, almost made it a twin-feat for Alaminos City only to settle for a worthy consolation- as one of the five national finalists in the Table Setting Competition.

Both Recosana and Vidanes first proved their worth in the team when they ruled the division level, thereby, helping ACHNS win the over-all championship.

Then, they surprised their rivals with their proficiency at the STEP-Regional Skills Development and Competition held at Mangaldan National High School last November 8 as they were declared as the new regional champions in the respective expertise earning them the right to represent Region I in the STEP-NSDC.

STEP is the official co-curricular organization of the Department of Education in the Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) which provides students with practical experiences, technical know-how and opportunities in home economics, agricultural technology, industrial arts, entrepreneurship and ICT integration while developing their leadership abilities and personal skills, and building wholesome character to strengthen national competitiveness and productivity.

It is also gives students, who are better inclined to technical and vocational skills, every opportunity to develop and be active contributors in nation building even as it serves as a vehicle in showcasing the youths’ talents and skills and in the development of their proper values.  

Meanwhile, Mayor Hernani A. Braganza has recently congratulated Recosana and Vidanes for the pride and honor brought to the city and for being role models and a new inspiration to there fellow youth.

“Your remarkable accomplishment upheld the city’s tag “not only as the producer of the best tasting milkfish and a main supplier of bangus of Metro Manila but also the home of the finest bangus deboners of the North if not the whole country,” the Mayor stressed.

He also thanked the coaches, the ACHNS administration, and the Alaminos City Division “for continuously sending our students to such healthy competitions and other avenues to show their wares and develop their full potentials as future leaders, professionals and responsible citizens.”

The Mayor even vowed that his administration will continue to extend all the necessary support and assistance to the education sector citing that education and youth development will always remain as one of his priority thrusts.

As a gesture of appreciation and in recognition of her outstanding feat, the city officialdom is set to honor the bangus deboning queen in one of its Flag Raising Ceremonies next month.

Sharing her award to her fellow Alaminians, the young achiever called on Mayor Braganza last Monday and presented her gorgeous trophy and medal to latter.

She was accompanied by Education Supervisor Bella R. Villanos, the head of the delegation, her coach, Mark Vidanes and his coach Mrs. Connie Cerezo and Mr. Florencio Valdes, Technology and Livelihood chairman of ACNHS.

When asked by the Mayor how many bones were removed from a half kilo of bangus during the deboning showdown, also last year’s regional finalist laughed and replied, “all I did is to concentrate on what I’m doing to ensure the quality my finished product.”

But I’m quite sure that it is almost bone-free, she added, even as she cited that a matured milkfish has at least the 250 to 300 bones.”

Recosana averred that she usually do the counting while at the same time perfecting her rhythm and technique only during her practice sessions at NEPO Mall wet market right after her afternoon classes , under the guidance of her coach.

According to her she plans to put-up a small business after finishing her studies in college, of course, on processing fresh deboned bangus products like smoked bangus, marinated, ‘relleno’ and bangus shanghai rolls, and even bangus belly which has a ready market and commands high price. (CIO)