Sarongsong at the Farm

A hearty bite while blindfolded, and your senses would tell you this is the fullness of puto-humay: that bouncy-sweet goodness, the hint of cooked coconut milk and the fresh scent of leavening.

Take that blindfold and you will see, not puto humay, but this is something else.

Sarongsong.

In Alicia, Bohol, the town’s extreme sports competitions have become synonymous to this native delicacy, this uniquely packaged puto included in a racer’s kits and the town’s promotional materials.

Sarongsong is basically a rice cake made from rice ground to powder, coconut milk, brown sugar and leavening.

When the leavening is tuba, preparation takes time as the mixture of ground rice is first soaked in coconut milk, sugar and tuba overnight. A damp cloth forms its cover as it is kept for the cooking the following day.

For faster preparation time, cooks here use commercial yeast, set aside for an hour and it is ready for the steamer.

What differs sarongsong from puto humay?

Sarongsong is a puto humay rice cake in most aspects, except its cooking receptacle or mold.

While rice cakes (puto humay) are placed in young banana-leaf-lined torta tin mold or empty milk cans, sarongsong uses a special mold: cone-shaped banana leaf (where the leavened mixture is poured) and arranged to hang in a grate holder (sarang) inside a steamer. Here the sarongsong cones could be arranged a few inches above the boiling water in the pot.

Trivia.

Me thinks sarongsong comes from two words: sarang (grate) and songsong (plug). In short, sarongsong is mga songsong sa sarang or plugs in the grate.

According to elders, sarongsong is common in eastern to the mountain communities of Bohol.

The sarongsong in Alicia is said to be a reintroduction of the culinary heritage by Boholanos who come from Mindanao.

It could also be a Boholano cooking tradition brought to Mindanao which found its way back to Bohol generations later.

In Alicia, sarongsong is sold in the public market during market days and in cockpit arenas during Sundays.

Also a favorite feature in life’s events in the town, the sarongsong is usually a fiesta fare, the native delicacy gracing the tables of the rich and the poor. .

As Alicia picks the extreme sports tourism with its internationally popular trail runs at The Alicia Panoramic Park (TAPP), their events include the sarongsong in their race provisions and solidarity food.

Sarongsong is always available at The Farm, the food and billeting accommodation provider at the base of the TAPP Trails. The Farm also provides individuals and group’s food needs for their treks.

The sarongsong at The Farm is supplied by Cristeta (Quinlog) Equipilag, who learned of the traditional cooking from her grandparents who also got it from their elders.

She said when properly cooked, sarongsong can last for three to four days.

It can last even longer when refrigerated and steamed when about to be eaten.

Next time you visit TAPP for an activity, do not miss this unique delicacy at The Farm.

For details, check out Alicia Municipal Tourism Office. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)