SUMAN of CLARIN, Pride of Region 10 and Misamis Occidental

Whenever you are in Region 10 and you find yourself in Misamis Occidental area, there is one place that you definitely need to go to, especially if you are looking for that food item that is worth bringing home or spending moments with.

If you are entering via Ozamiz, take the tricycle (known as motor) or the mini-van (their jeeps) going to Clarin; since this is just the next municipality.  Please note that Clarin is a smoke-free municipality (yes, I understand the woe fellow smokers).  The ride going there is but quick and easy.  FYI, learn to haggle right when travelling via motor when going to out-of-city vicinity.

Clarin is known for a good number of things but it is best known for their suman.  They carry a good number of flavored suman that is savory-sweet at the same time.  The Suman House in Clarin is strategically placed that you will not miss it.  The full beauty of Suman Clarin came to me during the DINE:  MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL event that happened this early March in Ozamiz City.  As one of the participating LGU, they displayed their product and even made a demonstration as to how it is cooked.

Part of the post Dine event, we were toured to some parts of Misamis and Clarin was part of the visited place.  The Tourism officer of Clarin was gracious in welcoming us, participants and with some of the chefs who participated in the fore mentioned event, that he shared the story behind the Suman House – the concern of the local government to its vendors and the activities that gave birth to this trademark of the municipality.

From 17 flavors, customers have a wide selection to choose from and enjoy.  They even showed us the best food pairing possible – a pairing that I am familiar with since my father is Visayan by roots.  Suman with tsokolate baterol is a pairing so well, especially in cold rainy weather- I like it with Keso Suman or the classic suman.   All of the sumans are freshly cooked on a daily basis and prepared by those who were chosen during the planning stages of the Suman House – the winners of the suman contest.

The Suman House  is amply spaced that people can enjoy their bought treat while looking at rice fields and passing vehicles.  It has a grassed area wherein children can run and play but still be safe from vehicles and other hazards.  The production center is just across the street that freshly cooked suman is brought into the store quickly and still hot/warm from the wok or vat.  The staffs are friendly and accommodating that they may assist you in knowing what is the treat on your tray.  The only challenge, remembering which is which when placed in a container.  Despite that, it would still be a treat to guess the flavor based on banana leaf folding.

Suman ng Clarin is a must item to bring home when you are in Misamis Occidental or even when exiting via Ozamiz.  You will make your tummy happy and change the outside of Mindanao image that you have of the region.