Remove the gills and innards of the tulingan (skipjack tuna). Make a shallow cut on both sides of the fish.
Make sure to remove the tail gland by twisting the tail and pulling it. The tail gland contains toxins that will make you itch after eating.
Wash in running water and drain in a colander to dry. Press the tuna with the palm of your hand and rub with salt-pepper mixture.
Lay a piece of banana leaf sheet in a clean surface and put the tulingan in the center.
Put pieces of the sliced fat on the sides of the fish and wrap the fish with banana leaf. Do the same procedure on the rest of the tulingan.
In an empty pot, lay two sheets of banana leaf on the bottom. Put the pork fat first on the banana leaf. Distribute it on the bottom of the pot.
Add ginger, garlic and sampalok fruits layer by layer. Then put the wrapped tulingan in the pot.
Sprinkle some salt-pepper mixture on top of the tulingan. Pour water just enough to cover the fishes.
Put on the stove and cook for an hour of until the tulingan are tender and the liquid is reduced.
You can also fry it before serving to make it more appetizing. Seal the wrapped tulingan by tying both ends with a piece of twine or make a thin strip of the banana leaf.
Heat cooking oil and fry the fish just like frying a pinaputok na tilapia or pinaputok na bangus. Serve as a viand with cooked rice and some dipping sauce consisting of kalamansi juice and patis. Enjoy!