Fish in general is categorized into two, marine or freshwater fish. Obviously, marine fishes are those found in the seas while the freshwater varities are those found in lakes, rivers, streams and other inland bodies of water. The more vibrant and exciting species, however, are found in the marine environment. Take , for example, the Salmons which come in many species and a life cycle which is simply amazing. When time to spawn (lay eggs) , these guys, male and female alike, travel hundred of miles from the pacific or atlantic seas up to their nesting place which is usually an upstream freshwater lake about 5,000 feet above sea level. The pregnant salmons endure strong current and rapids in rivers and against predators such as brown bears and human beings. Salmons is also popular culinary treat. Their final destination is the nesting place (usually their natal place also) where the female salmons could finally lay her eggs (5,000 on the average). Accordingly, very few mother salmons survive because they expire after spawning. The male salmons would usually take care of the young for about 3 years, depending on the variety. It takes 3 years for the young salmons to develop body defenses and characteristics suited for them to travel back to the marine waters where they will mature sexually. It is estimated that only 10% of these young salmons survive to complete their unique lifecycle. Nice story.
You see, same as in salmons are we Filipinos – the bottom line in life is home. The nesting place. Self-preservation – Extension of one’s species. Many of us are like the salmons. I don’t mean we have to swim against life’s currents and rapids to find our life partners or that you return to our natal place because you got pregnant… 
Well, maybe that happened to some people, but my point here is that I’m referring to those who worked abroad as Overseas Filipino Workers. I had been an OFW myself in one stage of my life and I can always relate the difficulty and suffering these people are into. Not only that they have to deal on the cultural differences and discrimination in many instances, they also have to deal with loneliness and homesickness for as long as their contracts take. Its good that we have now the convenience of hi-tech gadgets that keep us in touch at home – our advantage over lower forms of animals, such as fishes. The consolation comes when remittances are sent or at the time when they get back home to hand over the hard-earned dollars at home. This means not only a new lease on life or a prospect for the family’s self-preservation. It means everything to them-like the salmons’ return to its nesting place. OFWs truly are the living heroes amidst these hard times, the redeeming glory for a government which is already considered as a candidate for one of history’s most corrupt, most unpopular and known for most fraudulent elections, most human-rights violation. And perhaps, most sex-scandal ridden?
Ooooo Marine fish!
I could never succeed with Marine fish. The water was never the right condition. Poor things, they died horrific deaths, gasping for air and swimming sideways and Gosh! they were bloated too.
The only luck I had were with non-Marine fish. The longest lived were the Discus fish. Eventually they died too.
Seems like everything I touch dies!!!!!!!
Even plants I tried to grow. 
Windmill’s last blog post..Walkers should use this Minute Rule
[...] attempt in updating a dictionary. He also blogs competently about fish via the posts Aquarium, Something Fishy 1, and Something Fishy 2. Of course, he will never fail to share his thoughts about politics via the [...]