Sumptuous rice cakes at Clarin’s House of Suman

Piles and piles of neatly arranged suman, a type of rice cake that is elongated and wrapped in banana leaves greets the visitors upon entering Clarin’s House of Suman. But what really brings in the surprise is discovering that there are several different kinds and fillings that make these native delicacies a treat.

Clarin is a municipality in Misamis Occidental and just near Ozamiz City, the economic powerhouse of the province. For the visitor, this town is known for the suman and it is just fitting that under the government’s one town, one product (OTOP) project, this native delicacy is number one.

Thanx to the efforts of the local government with assistance from various government agencies, the House of Suman and Pasalubong Center was set up to have a one stop shop to showcase this and other native products. With the development program, the plain old suman was elevated into something interesting with the introduction of various types with various fillings.

There’s the balintawak. Instead of just using plain malagkit (sticky rice), this and tapul malagkit, the purple variety, were intertwined together that when you open this one, its a beautiful braid like suman in two colors. Then there’s the various fillings: mango, jackfruit, chocolate, peanut butter and cheese. All are delicious!

Other than buying these for home and gifts to friends and family (pasalubong), you can also eat it here. Ask for a thick hot cup of chocolate, sikwate, and you’re good! There are other varieties of local delicacies and handicrafts available too.

This trip made possible by Philippine Airlines.Check their website Philippine Airlines for tickets and promos. Like their Facebook page and follow them in Twitter.