kwento ni Mameng

The Napoleon wrasse fondly called mameng by Filipinos is just one of the many parrot fishes that roam the vast
rich seas of Palawan. Mameng is one of the largest coral fishes that can grow up to two meters in length. Parrot
fishes, which are typically found in tropical coral reefs, are known not only for their vibrant psychedelic colors,
but also for their beak-like teeth that earned them their name “parrot fish” as well as their strange swimming
behavior in which they use their pectoral fins to glide through water like mammals.
The parrot fish’s exotic unique beauty and appeal, which has caught the eye of countless divers, extends beyond
providing additional attraction to the already multihued coral reefs of Palawan. The valuable role it plays in the
marine ecosystem as a bioerosion agent promoting the growth and health of coral reefs can never be
undermined. But unlike the more “popular” marine species like the pawikan or the dugong, the mameng has not
enjoyed as much attention.
Kwento ni Mameng reveals the current plight of the parrot fish. The artist, who is also a diver, along with his
father and brother, feels a strong connection with the mameng, which is still overfished despite having been
declared a threatened species. The artist recalls the many stories of mameng encounters told by his father and
brother, and is inspired by these to portray it in an artwork.
As a diver and a Palaweño, the artist vividly remembers the incredible feelings of seeing the mameng in its
natural habitat, living in complete peace and harmony, and how these emotions replaced with distraught the
moment you find these regal creatures in the local markets.
In the artwork, the mameng is rendered in a realistic, surrealistic and abstract approach. The artist strikes
balance using complementary colors red orange and turquoise, in a manner that is calm but chaotic. The
painting is a revelation of the irony of the mameng, a marine creature so beautiful you can’t help admire it in its
habitat, but is yet to get the appreciation, attention and protection it deserves.