'Whispers' keep Malabon fish trade alive

MANILA, Philippines – Shortly after midnight, the fish port near the Malabon-Navotas river is crowded with fish brokers and buyers.

But unlike other markets, buyers and traders are mostly silent as the bargaining begins. Business is done through “whispering” or “bulong.”

Bulung-bulungan in this fish port is an old trading practice wherein a buyer whispers to the broker the amount he wants to pay for a tub or bañera of fish.

The silent bidding involves several buyers approaching the broker to whisper the amount they want to pay.

After several offers, the broker will then decide and signal the winning bidder to come forward and the transaction is done without the other bidder knowing the actual price.

Aling Nena, who travels from Quezon City to Malabon every night, said a whisper would determine the profit or loss she makes every day from selling fish at the Tandang Sora market.

She said sometimes she earns double or triple, especially if the fish is fresh and the price is low.

Competition among brokers usually benefits the buyers because instead of the buyers whispering their price, the brokers silently approach buyers and whisper their prices.

She said she was able to send her children to school and buy a house from profits she made in the bulung-bulungan along Malabon river.

As dawn approaches, the silent bidding becomes intense and ends with the sunrise, when traders raise their voices to announce the price of their fish.

Mayor Canuto Oreta said the fishing industry has made the people of Malabon prosperous, as shown by centuries-old houses in the city.

Aside from fish, the city is also famous for its patis (fish sauce), and native delicacies like pancit Malabon. – Perseus Echeminada