Suman – Another Philippine National Dish?

 

Philippines – Aside from Adobo as Pinoy’s signature viand or dish another food is worth considering to be a Philippines national dish – that is the rice cake called “Suman” which is made from glutinous rice.

This Philippines food has many varieties like “suman sa ibus,” “suman sa lihiya”,”suman sa binuo”,and others. These varieties have in common main ingredients, that are – rice, coconut and sugar or sugarcane.

Being present in different provinces of the Philippines, from Batanes to Tawi-tawi, could it also be considered another national food of the Philippines? In addition to that “Suman” is considered a food of Pilipino heroes who revolted against the Spaniards during Spanish times in the Philippines and it is reported Philippine hero Jose Rizal eat a suman.  The reason perhaps it a nourishing and handy food to carry while in a battle.

Philippine author and food historian, Guillermo “Ige” Ramos said “suman” is a food of neutrality which is partaken by all either or whether one is a pagan, a Lumad, a Muslim, or a Christian. That is the power of “Suman” and if we insist it could be a Philippine national dish. Moreover, “suman” do not discriminate society status whether what gender, age, educational attainment, economic status, rich or poor; “suman” is eaten by every Filipino whether how it is eaten.