Valdes, Claudio honored by CDC recycling group

THE belly (tiyan) is the most delicious part of the fish. It is also the most dangerous.

In whatever form it is prepared -- grilled, sautéed or sinigang -- fish belly is a certified health hazard.

I did not know this till the other day during an awarding ceremony where Arni Nepomuceno Valdes was honored and also resource speaker at Clark Development Corp. affair.

The other awardee by the CFZ Recyclables Collection Event was Lormely E. Claudio, Regional Director, EMB Reg. 3.

The two honorees are the core partners of the CDC in a tripartite Eco-group which are engaged in the collection and disposition of industrial, domestic, and commercial recyclables from 21 locator firms at Clark.
The warning on the eating of bangus belly, a popular delicacy among local dining establishments -- and at home, too -- came as a side issue during the discussion of mercury, the toxic waste found in most light bulbs in Filipino homes.

The milkfish (bangus), tuna, salmon are the three most sellable fish species in the market, with the belly part as the choice cut of the buyers.

It appears that these fish specimen which are grown in the seas are exposed to, and congenitally ingested, mercury in their system. This is passed to humans who accumulate the poisonous element through the delicious "bangus or tuna belly." It is a deadly pulutan, guys.

CDC Environmental Management chief Juan Miguel Fuentes said the ingested mercury is difficult or impossible to eliminate from the body through execration, and keeps circulating within the body.

The awarding event is a "way of celebrating our victory," said Mariza O. Mandocdoc, chief of CDC's Regulatory Services Group. The CDC recyclables collection goals have been continuously achieved, according to the lady geologist and ecology advocate.

CDC's collection efforts had targeted industrial wastes of locators and outside clients who disposed of tons of recyclables monthly including paper, plastic, metals, and E-waste; fluorescent lamps, lead acid batteries, printer ink cartridges and oil/lubricants.

These thrash contain toxic elements. Most of the waste materials go to DoloMatrix Phil for cleansing and curing processes.

Arni Valdes is the firm's president. His exceptional and unique expertise in toxic waste management qualified him to lead the country leading ecology group as president of the Environmental Practioners Association. His consistent and effective work in environmental advocacy was stressed in the award.

Arni's late father Bud Valdes was a former Rotary club president. He was Pampanga's first "barista", a term for coffee connoisseur using brewing techniques long before Starbucks and other exotic coffee joints came to the market. His mother, Auring Nepomuceno, is the youngest (and favorite) daughter of the legendary Angeles couple, Don Juan and Teresa G. Nepomuceno -- the original "power behind the town" (AEC).

While he does not carry the surname Nepomuceno, Arni Valdes is the most visible and publicly active scion of an old family most of whose members prefer to stay low profile in their achievements.

Representing Gen. Oban, CDC chairman and OIC, is his junior tandem in the "Winning Team" - EVP & CCO Philip Jose B. Panlilio who relayed Oban's inspiring message.

I am sure Philip will now refrain from eating fish belly but can please his palate with Italian-style spaghetti with enormous meat balls served Mimosa-style.