“Tawilis,” the world’s only freshwater sardine, is a delicacy once considered the “poor man’s fish” and a household staple in the communities around Taal Lake. In the old days, the lake would “turn white” at night as schools of the tiny fish blanketed the water’s surface, making it easy for fishermen to catch them. The fresh catch sold for P30 a kilo in the 1980s. “Back in the day, we could catch as many as 2,000 kilos in one night,” said Mario Balazon, 57, a fish cage operator from this town.

Cinco, M. (2019, February 10). Time running out for Taal Lake's 'tawilis'?. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A10.