Philippine waters are home to myriad fish species, many of which are not found elsewhere. But out of all of these fish bangus has managed to capture the attention of Filipinos the most. There are other notable fish in Filipino culture to be sure. More popular with the masses is the inexpensive galunggong—but it has a fishy taste (malansa). The grouper or lapu-lapu (a name it shares with a national hero) on the other hand is commonly served in fine restaurants. Another prized fish among foodies is the maliputo, as is the increasingly rare ludong. But unlike bangus fish like these usually have no role in the everyday lives of people. The tasty yet relevant fish most everyone in the country can get behind is the milkfish unofficially considered by many as the Philippines' national fish