There’s a fishy business going on in the central part of our province. Not the shady kind.

We’re talking about something slippery—literally. Whiskered, long body, flattened head. You’re guessing it right. It’s catfish. Hito. Pantat if you’re speaking our language. Whatever we call them, here’s a very interesting fact: they are the silent CEOs of the booming industry at JNS Aqua Farm in Urbiztondo, Pangasinan.

This Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-accredited farm school, established in 2022, is proud to be one at the forefront of sustainable aquaculture practices capable of driving socio-economic development for fish farmers across the nation. According to the records, the JNS Aqua Farm is the first catfish processing plant in the Philippines. The farm specializes in hatchery, grow-out, and processing of African hito. Gone are the days of murky mud ponds. JNS raises their catfish in concrete tanks, with water quality monitored like a VIP spa. The result? Clean, healthy, delicious fish that consumers can trust—and maybe even serve at fancy dinner parties! Why not, though?

In the Southeastern United States, it’s a comfort food classic rolled in cornmeal. In Hungary, it’s often simmered in paprika sauce and paired with noodles. In Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, it’s grilled, if not fried, and then eaten with vegetables and spices. But catfish is far from stuck in tradition. As our culinary tastes evolve, so do the ways we prepare this catfish. Here, they offer Filipino-inspired variations like tinapang hito (smoked catfish), catfish shanghai rolls and siomai, sisig hito, gourmet in Spanish style, adobo sauce, or if you want a fiery kick, spicy adobo style. These delicious innovations are getting ready to conquer more markets soon.

Now, if you’re someone who’s ever wondered, “Can I be a fish boss, too?” Then, you’re in luck. JNS Aqua Farm grows knowledge. They grow farmpreneurs. They grow job opportunities, not just catfish. Every so often, they host engaging seminars on sustainable aquaculture, including a crash course in water recirculating system and catfish farming 101.

/MJGE