Aling Norma’s Suman and Sweet Delicacies of Kawit

Aling Norma’s Suman and Sweet Delicacies is one of the pride of Toclong, Kawit, Cavite province.

Toclong or Lupang Kawit had several large tracts of rice fields, which explained that the area produce some of the best rice base delicacies of the town and the entire province.

Suman Lihia

I have tasted several suman before when we visited the town of Kawit, but have no idea that those came from Toclong, Kawit.  The rice is wrapped in banana leaves ( which infuse some flavors), then cooked in large tin cans slowly cooked over firewood.

Heirloom Recipe

Suman ( steam glutinous rice ) wrapped in banana leaves is the special pride of Aling Norma. The recipe had been part of their family and was handed down for several generations. The grandchildren said that it was a local favorite and some families in Kawit would order in advance. Their suman had reached many places like Las Piñas, Parañaque, Taguig, Valenzuela, Manila and even abroad.

A friend who hails from Antipolo also told us that some of the suman sold in their place were also sourced from Kawit.

Suman Moron ( malagkit na bigas chocolate with mani ) glutinous rice with chocolate and peanuts. One of their best selling suman

Aling Norma’s suman can last for at least a day without spoiling. The secret is the use of pure glutinous or sticky rice in their suman. They would stick on the traditional recipe and would not scrimp on the ingredients.  Other suman makers would use the non-sticky rice varieties mix with glutinous rice in order to lower the cost. Hence one reason “why” it easily get spoiled.

suman sa balinghoy with langka

Aling Norma specializes on antala (suman malagkit sa gata), suman sa balinghoy with langka ( cassava) or kamoteng kahoy, suman sa lihia, suman moron ( which is a combination of glutinous rice, chocolate with mani ( the most popular) malagkit with pinipig, pichi-pichi are just some of their well-loved delicacies.

pichi -pichi

The best way to eat their suman is serve hot with shredded coconut, traditional brown sugar called “paldo” or coconut jam. This is also best paired with hot chocolate or coffee from Amadeo.

antala

One of the grandchildren have asked me if i am from the town of Imus or Kawit, since they have a suki ( regular customer) which looked similar. I hailed from Metro Manila.

Bought several suman before we left the Cavite Food and Culinary Expo 2019 site at Isla Events Place in Imus, Cavite province. After almost 8 hours of event and travel from Cavite, Aling Norma’s suman is still fresh and almost immediately eaten by immediate family members and relatives who would swear that it was one of the best suman they have tasted.

Note: Aling Norma’s Suman and Sweet Delicacies accepts bulk order, but must be ordered in advance.

Aling Norma’s Suman and Sweet Delicacies

Address; Toclong , Kawit, Cavite

Contact Person: Ms. Gerlie (0935-4939544)

A Taste OF Sorsogon Delicacies: Suman, Binut-Ong and Hinagom

Sorsogon City, Sorsogon province -Philippines

Whenever one travel to another town or place, one should try their food and desserts. It was rice harvest season, so we were able to sample local delicacies. Although these delicacies are available whole year round , the best quality desserts are made from fresh harvested rice produce .

hinagom/ hinagum

Hinagom or Hinagum  recipe is simple, it’s made from freshly harvested rice that’s pounded, roasted in a pan, then pounded again in a mortar mixed with coconut meat and sugar before wrapping in leaves. It tastes quite similar to Espasol of Laguna. In the capital city of Sorsogon – 1 pack of hinagom cost between Php 5.00 to Php 20.00 per pack .

There are several ways that a Hinagom is presented, We saw round shaped hinagom, elongated shape among others. The rice dessert is also popular in nearby Samar Island too..

This is best accompanied  with chocolate , coffee or salabat ( ginger tea) .

suman kalabasa

Suman and Suman Kalabasa – I prefer this type of combination. Sticky rice is grounded and grounded kalabasa ( squash ) is also added. boiled with coconut milk and wrapped in banana leaves.This delicacy cost Php 5.00 in Sorsogon City . We knew some distant relatives who are experts in making these delicacies .

Binut-Ong

Binut-Ong – This is another sticky rice dessert which is popular in Bicol region. Coconut milk ( gata ) is added unto the mixture . This is sold for Php 10 per piece in Bulan and Sorsogon City.

Binut-Ong

 Binut-Ong can easily fill your appetite and this is best accompanied with tea, coffee or chocolate , especially ideal for breakfast or afternoon snack.

 

Boiled Pili fruit

Boiled Pili Fruit is another favorite of Bicolanos , It cost Php 1.00 per piece in Sorsogon City . This was due to the tight supply . There was a big typhoon which hit the province last year and the pili trees had not recovered . The pulp is eaten and best dipped in condiments like fish sauce called ( guinamos) , vinegar , soy sauce with chopped chillies and onions. Otherwise it only cost 3 pieces for Php 1.00 or 50 centavos when it is pili season.

There is also a proper way to boil or blanched the pili , as demonstrated by Ms. Maita Liao -Amador of Sorsogon City . One must only put the pili fruit after the water had started to boil and then blanching or poaching the fruit for just less than 3 minutes and let them cool; the skins will rub off very easily .

The fruit is highly perishable, so one must cook it as soon as possible. While the pulp does not stay fresh for long , one must eat the pulp within a few hours.  Fruits placed in warm place will turn soft and brown fast for the same reason that pectinase is activated and renders the fruit inedible in a matter of few hours. the nut is a bit more practical to use.

While we ate a lot of pili fruit during our brief stay in Sorsogon. One must not try to over eat ,it can also be a purgative or laxative .

suntan or santan

Suntan or Santan is another must try when you are in Sorsogon province. Suntan is similar to Coconut Jam of Quezon province .  This is good alternative for sandwich spread  .  The slight twist is that some who makes this jam had included pili nuts or crush pili nuts .  This is a good pasalubong treat especially for those with sweet tooth.

The small suntan in plastic bottle will cost from Php 50.00 to Php 75.00 depending on the source. We got our suntan jam from a peddler who makes homemade atchara , kakanins ( native sweets) at the Bulan public market .

 

Culinary Treats in Cavite City Public Market

Culinary treats greeted our small group when we arrived in Cavite City. We visited the cityhall and rode a jeep going to the public market.

chicken mami, tamales, pancit palabok and lumpiang sariwa at Aling Meling

Cavite Cityhall

Aling Meling Carinderia

It was past 7:30 am when we were able to reach the market and Aling Ika Carinderia was still close due to the extended holiday season.

ube leche flan and leche flan

Aling Meling Carinderia

We decided to eat the Aling Meling Carinderia which offer home-cooked meals and other specialties like chicken mami, palabok, lumpiang sariwa. They even serve Pancit Puso ng Saguing during fridays.

Chicken Mami cost Php 35 per order which combines two kinds of noodles, chicken, baguio pechay, chopped spring onions and topped with chicharon bits.

Pancit Palabok– Their pancit palabok is slightly different from the ones sold in Metro Manila. They use two kinds of noodles and the palabok sauce is thick with boiled chicken egg and calamansi. (Php 35 per order).

Lumpiang Sariwa – The spring roll had vegetables and topped with crushed chicharon or pork rinds.  ( Php 35 per order).

The group paid a little over Php 390 which includes soft drinks.

Tamales

We also ate the tamales which cost Php 10.00 per order. It is nutty with savory taste and ideal companion for the soup or hot chocolate, coffee and tea.

vendor selling kesong puti

There is also kesong puti or quesillo which cost Php 20.00. This is best paired with hot pandesal, bonete or salakot from nearby bakeries.

kesong puti wrapped in banana leaves

The market is alive with fresh produce and seafood is relatively a little cheaper compared to Metro Manila.

suman

Malagkit na Sampalok also called Kamalay na Sampalok is sold Php 20.00 per cup at the Cavite Public Market.

Bibingkoy – This is another version with thick coconut creme at Php 24.00 per slice which also comes with thick ginataan.

Bibingkoy

Ginataan with bits of corn

There were a lot of fresh produce and native kakanins spotted within the Pamilihang Bayan ng Lunsod ng Cavite. Do not forget to be early when you come and visit the stalls selling these food.

Historical Christmas Celebration Jump Start in Kawit, Cavite

Kawit is a historical town in Cavite province which is very near Metro Manila. Despite the hustle and bustle of the busy and traffic streets and establishments, everyone busy getting their Christmas shopping done.

Christmas tree lighting ceremonies held at the Aguinaldo Shrine and Freedom Park

There are a few sights and sounds in nearby areas where we can feel the true spirit of a Filipino Christmas, especially with our loved ones.

The Christmas lighting event was held last December 14, 2019, and a number of distinguished guests and celebrities joined in the celebration of the event.

Historical Christmas Celebration and Culinary Heritage

Puto Bumbong

Puto Bumbong or a rice cake with shaved coconut and muscovado sugar is a staple food trip stop that shouldn’t be missed when visiting Kawit.

Aling Norma’s Suman – a tour in the town is incomplete without buying the famous suman made from Toclong, Kawit. I have written an article about the delicacies from the town.

Aguinaldo Shrine

Aguinaldo Shrine is situated wherein the Philippine flag that we know of today was first waved publicly announcing our Independence by none other than the first Filipino President Emilio Aguinaldo. There’s also a lot to learn about our first president and how he has lived his life and times during the revolution era.

Museo ni Baldomero Aguinaldo hailed towards the cousin of Emilio Aguinaldo and grandfather of Cesar Virata who as a prime minister in the 1980s.

Kawit Church or Saint Magdalene Church was built around 1737 and Emilio Aguinaldo was baptized in this church. His birth certificate is kept on the left side of the altar.

 Pandayan or the local blacksmithing shops which is an endangered craft that needs to be promoted and preserved. The local Pandayan is still active and you can still buy handcrafted knives and bolos made the same way during the Revolutionary era.

Kawit celebrates the Christmas season through a spectacular display of lights at the Aguinaldo Shrine and Freedom Park.

A fireworks display and lighting of the Christmas lights at the Freedom Park was also held. Make sure to v isit Kawit Cavite this Christmas Season and enjoy the season filled with pride in our own heritage and historical sites in Kawit.

The Municipality of Kawit welcomes everyone who wishes to visit Kawit during the Christmas season.

 

Big Crowd at the 40th Grand Marian Procession in Intramuros

Big crowd attended the 40th grand marian procession within intramuros. This year also marked the ruby anniversary of the parade and procession.

devotees from Piat, Cagayan province

Nuestra Señora de Piat with devotees in colorful floral costumes. We visited few months ago the Minor Basilica of Piat in Cagayan province.

There were at least 120 Marian images, canonical and venerated images of the blessed virgin mary. Delegates come from different parts of the country. Some traveled from as far as Cagayan, Quezon, Laguna, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Batangas, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan, Cavite, Zambales, Camarines Norte, Aurora and La Union provinces.

There were also large contingent from different Metro Manila parishes and foreign tourists.

We organized a small tour and went early at around past 2:00pm, Met a lot of marian devotees, heritage advocates and friends along the parade route.

Nuestra Señora Delas Flores owned by Mrs. Imelda Ongsiako Cojuangco

local band from Pangil, Laguna province

40th Marian Procession

The marian carriages were lined along the old Intendencia or Custom House, Plaza de España, Andres Soriano avenue and Plaza Roma.

order of procession

There is an information counter near the BIR building along Andres Soriano Avenue which provided some clues on the parade routes.

participants from Bulakan, Bulacan province

These are the participants and devotees from Bulakan, Bulacan province. They gave some suman and bottled water to us while walking.

devotees

Nuestra Señora dela Leche y Buen Parto

Nuestra Señora dela Leche y Buen Parto image first time debut in the grand marian procession. Devotees also gave away some estampitas to visitors.

Nuestra Señora de Porta Vaga de Manila- the processional carriage had thousands of yellow dancing lady orchids or oncidiums arrangement.

devotees from Laguna

Nuestra Señora Inmaculada Concepción de Salambáo

participants in colorful terno

Immaculada Corazon de Maria

devotees from Bulacan province

Nuestra Señora dela Paz ( Apung Maria de Manila )

Our Lady of Sorrows

students and nuns

Maria Mananabang Sang Mga Kristianos from Capiz province

Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Imus

Mary Mediatrix of All Graces

Devotees from Batangas gave away estampitas, devotional booklet to the early birds. Most of the devotees came from Lipa and nearby towns of Batangas.

devotees from San Fernando , Pampanga sell some handmade scapular

Plaza Roma and Manila Cathedral Basilica

Nuestra Señora Delas Saleras from Nueva Ecija province

marian images

Nuestra Señora Virgen de Mar Cautiva from Santo Tomas La Union province

ladies in traje de mestiza

devotees in colorful balintawak dress

The mood is very festive and processional carriages bedeck with flower arrangements, fruits, vegetables and live plants.