food travel

Biyaheng Antipolo : Things You Should Buy When Visiting Antipolo

20161203_074343 — Victory Pasalubong Center is one of the most popular destinations in Antipolo where you can buy the town’s famous delicacies

A trip to Antipolo will not be completed without buying any pasalubong. Antipolo is not just the Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines but also the home of some of the delightful delicacies. Now allow me to list down the things that you should definitely buy when visiting Antipolo!

“Suman of Antipolo”
Possibly one of the trademarks of Antipolo, their famous “kakanin” (Filipino delicacies) and one of the most popular is their “suman”. Interestingly, the production of suman actually originated in Cainta (another town in Rizal) but it gained popularity in Antipolo. Suman of Antipolo is basically made from the rice called “Malagkit” (Glutinous rice) and coconut milk (gata) and wrapped in so-called “kampil” while others are calling it as “ibos”, thus is is often. The suman is best eaten when being dipped with coco jam (latik) or sugar.

“Mangoes”If you want to eat your Suman with a twist, then you better pair it with Antipolo’s sweet mangoes. Most restaurant in Antipolo will serve their suman with mangoes (a perfect pair to balance the flavor as it offers a decent amount of sweetness and a pinch of sourness). Antipolo is known for their mangoes (both green (unripe) and yellow). Photo Credit : https://lifesabliss.wordpress.com

“Roasted Kasoy (Cashew Nuts)”Another popular “pasalubong” from Antipolo is their roasted cashew nuts or kasoy. They said that Antipolo’s kasoy is the best tasting cashew nuts in the country and considering how many people patronizing the product despite of being very pricey only proved that they gave justice to what they are claiming. If you have “suki” (especially in Victory Pasalubong Center – just beside the Antipolo Cathedral), you might get Kasoy in great discounts. Interestingly, Kasoy is now available in wide variety of flavors including garlic, adobo and even barbeque.

“The popularity of these products in Antipolo gave birth to one of their notable festivals known as the “Sumakah festival”. The term “SUMAKAH” is basically an acronym for Suman, Manga, Kasoy and Hamaka (an old means of transportation in Antipolo). It’s a month-long Festival which is held every May but the grandest of them all is on May 1 (which also mark as the start of their Pilgrimage Season – Check The First Procession)”

“Kalamay”Another Antipolo’s sweet delicacy is their sticky “kalamay”. Kalamay is generally made of coconut milk, brown sugar, paldo, latik, and ground glutinous rice. It is often topped with dark sweet coconut glaze and is usually wrapped in banana leaves.

“Suman sa Lihiya”
Suman sa Lihiya is just another variety of suman in Antipolo. It is however, prepared in a slightly different procedure with their typical Suman. This one is made with lye water (a typical ingredient mostly applied on another kakanin – the kutsinta). Instead of ibos or buri or palm leaves, Suman sa Lihiya is usually tightly wrapped in banana leaves.

“Religious Items”
Since the city of Antipolo is known for its pilgrimage sites, it is not really surprising to find a lot of religious items being sold. You can find an overwhelming amount of religious items just outside the Antipolo Cathedral. You can spot different figurines depicted various saints and images (especially the image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage) and a whole lot more (rosary, bracelets, scapulars and keychains)