Form 4C series January 2019

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM

Mapping of Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage

Category: Social Practices, Rituals and Festive Events

NAME OF THE ELEMENT: SUMAN

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

TYPE: [ ] Social Practice [ ] Worship rites

[ ] Traditional Governance/Justice system [ ] Rites of passage
[ ] Settlement patterns [ ] Birth, wedding, funeral rituals
[ ] Cuisine/Culinary traditions [ ] Fiesta/Festival
[ ] Traditional Games/Sport [ ] Kinship ceremonies
[ ] Other
______________________
PHOTO: (if applicable)

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND RANGE OF THE ELEMENT: (Describe the place where intangible heritage is
practiced, even including the extent of the practice in neighboring areas or places)

Most of the barangay in Valencia, Bohol is in practice of suman production especially during fiesta. But
the best -known producer of delicious Suman is in barangay Canlusong. Barangay Canlusong is 4
kilometers away from the municipal hall. It is situated in Purok 7 where most of the household fond of
producing suman. They sell it to the market which becomes their source of income .

RELATED DOMAINS OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE: (Tick appropriate box/es.)

[ ] Performing arts
[ ] Oral traditions and expressions
[ /] Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage
Municipality of Valencia
Province of Bohol
Region VII
Form 4C series January 2019

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM

[ ] Traditional craftsmanship
II. DESCRIPTION OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

A. Summary of the element

(Description of the history of the practice, occasion/season, processes involved, procedures, beliefs associated,
settings, aims, social functions, cultural meaning, and other pertinent data)

Suman is made from “pilit” or glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk or “sunob”, often wrapped with
banana leaves or “hinawb nga dahon” cut in rectangular form, and steamed. It is usually displayed
on the table during the celebration of New Year’s Eve, fiesta, birthday, and even family gatherings. It
is believed that during New Year’s Eve if you prepare suman, it would maintain the unity between
family members that they would stick together no matter what, and so will luck for the rest of the
year. The preparation of the fiesta is not complete without the presence of suman. Mostly, it serves
as snacks or “pamainit” paired with “sikwate” and also serves as bring house for the visitors.

B. Culture-bearer/s and practitioner/s of the element

(Description of person/s or people practicing the intangible heritage)

Suman is a popular snack among Valencianhons and even from the neighboring towns. According to
Marlon G. Taguic, 39 years old, a Valencianhon who sells suman, it is already a custom of
Valencianhon that every Sunday or “Tabo”, suman is displayed in the market along with other
kakanin variations.

C. Mode of transmission (Describe how the knowledge and skills related to the element is passed on)

Suman is already known since pre-colonial times. In Valencia, the process of making suman,
especially in wrapping using banana leaves was passed from generation to generation. Others
learned how to make suman through experience and also from what they saw from their elders.

D. LIST OF SIGNIFICANT TANGIBLE MOVABLE HERITAGE USED/ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELEMENT:

Name of Photo Year produced Use of the object in the practice

Object
or estimated age

N/A N/A N/A N/A

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage
Municipality of Valencia
Province of Bohol
Region VII
Form 4C series January 2019

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM

E. LIST OF SIGNIFICANT FLORA/FAUNA USED/ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELEMENT:

Name of Flora/Fauna Photo Use of the flora/fauna in the practice

Banana Leaf Used to wrap the glutinous rice cooked in

coconut milk mixed with brown sugar for
sweetening.

Pilit It is the main ingredient of suman.

Lubi (Sunob) It makes the suman sticky, delicious, and

creamier.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage
Municipality of Valencia
Province of Bohol
Region VII
Form 4C series January 2019

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM

III. STORIES/NARRATIVES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELEMENT

Suman originates from the harvest feasting of early Filipinos. During harvest time, the people would
utilize the collected rice and turn into rice dishes called “kakanin,” which include the rice cakes. The
cakes would also often be a part of the food offering presented to the spirits and gods, and probably to
deceased loved ones. This was done to give thanks to the almighty who is the author of all the graces of the
world. Antonio Pigafetta, according to Sta. Maria, provides the first description of the rice cakes, which
he observed, “was wrapped in leaves and were made in somewhat longish pieces”, now in the present
known as Suman. As time goes by, Filipinos turned the delicacy into something different. Others made suman
lihaya, suman moron and many more from other provinces.
IV. SIGNIFICANCE

Indicate type of significance, e.g. historical, aesthetic, scientific, social, socioeconomic, socio-political, spiritual and then explain

Aesthetic: It is a traditional food of Valencianhons, made more delicious with the use of coconut milk
and sweetener. It is mostly prepared and served during fiesta, birthday, or in a family gathering.

Scientific: A set of procedure must be followed to come up with a delicious and tastier suman that
everyone wanted.
Watch for the instructions/procedure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxv9T0jP7EQ

Social: It is commonly prepared during fiesta, birthday and other celebrations. A suman is served as
snacks and also a bringhouse for the visitors as part of Filipino traditions.

Socio-economic: Aside from food, suman makers also make it a livelihood as one of their sources of
income. They sell it to the market every Sunday. Its sales are higher on Sundays and during town fiestas.

V. ASSESSMENT OF THE PRACTICE

A. CONDITION/STATUS OF THE PRACTICE: On-practiced

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage
Municipality of Valencia
Province of Bohol
Region VII
Form 4C series January 2019

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM

B. CONSTRAINTS/ THREATS/ ISSUES/ CHALLENGES: (Reasons for the condition/status) None

C. MEASURES AND DESCRIPTION OF SAFEGUARDING MEASURES TAKEN:

Tick one or more boxes to identify the safeguarding measures that have been and are currently being
taken at the level of the community, provincial and/or national with regard to the element
[ /] transmission, particularly through formal education
[ /] transmission, particularly through non-formal education
[ ] identification, documentation, research
[ ] preservation, protection
[ ] promotion, enhancement
[ ] revitalization

Description of Safeguarding Measures Taken:

VI. REFERENCES

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION: (Tick appropriate box/es)

[ /] Audio/video recording
[ /] Photographs and sketches
[ ] Others (e.g. Music notations etc.) __________________________
KEY INFORMANT/S: Marlon G. Taguic, 39 years old, Supplier/Producer of Suman
(Include basic information on the informant’s background)
 
REFERENCE/S AND OTHER RESOURCES: Ganzon, M. 2014. Suman: Origin and Belief https://bit.ly/39nzkUf
 
NAME OF MAPPER/S: Marion Saludes, Gladys Sugabo, Jonalyn Cagadas
Agustin Cajigal Jr., Riza Tagapia, Romeo Idusma
Rosario Galorport, Arnel Gamba, Jenny Lyn Dajang
Jonas Gabutan, Mercuria Tagapia
 
DATE PROFILED: March 27, 2021
 

Submitted by:

____RIZA F. TAGAPIA____________ ____March 27, 2021________

(Full Name of Municipal Mapper) (Date)

Review and Editing

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage
Municipality of Valencia
Province of Bohol
Region VII
Form 4C series January 2019

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM

A. MUNICIPAL LEVEL

Remarks:

Reviewed/Edited by:

___________________________________________ ____________________
(Full Name of Municipal Mapping Coordinator/Editor) (Date)

B. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT LEVEL

Remarks:

Reviewed/Edited by:

___________________________________________ ____________________
(Full Name of Congressional District Editor) (Date)

C. PROVINCIAL LEVEL

Remarks:

Reviewed/Edited by:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage
Municipality of Valencia
Province of Bohol
Region VII
Form 4C series January 2019

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM

___________________________________________ ____________________
(Full Name of Provincial Editor) (Date)

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage
Municipality of Valencia
Province of Bohol
Region VII