15/08/2026
Before It Became a Delicacy, It Was Survival. πΏ
Did you know that some of the traditional foods of Caramoan carry stories of survival from generations ago?
Last July, Rex Tourist Inn β Rex Residence had the privilege of welcoming and accommodating guests who took part in SIRAM: Pagkaon Bicolnon, a meaningful initiative that celebrates and documents the rich food heritage of communities across Bicol.
With the support and efforts of our Department of Tourism β Bicol Region, this initiative brings attention to the traditional foods, local knowledge, and stories that have been passed down from one generation to another.
Here in Caramoan, we were fortunate to witness the demonstration and documentation of two traditional delicacies: Namo and Marcasotes.
πΏ Namo carries a story of resourcefulness and resilience. During difficult times, including the hardships experienced during the War, our ancestors learned to depend on what was available in their surroundings. Knowing what could be gathered, how it should be prepared, and how it could be transformed into food, was knowledge essential to survival.
π° Marcasotes, remembered as an old-time cake, tells another story of tradition. Its preparation reflects the cooking knowledge and practices passed down through generations.
What we witnessed was more than simply a cooking demonstration.
It was a glimpse into how our ancestors lived, adapted, survived, and passed their knowledge forward.
Today, these may simply be called βtraditional delicacies.β
But behind every delicacy is a story.
A story of family.
A story of community.
A story of resilience.
A story of Caramoan.
We are grateful to the Department of Tourism β Bicol Region and everyone involved in making this meaningful cultural initiative possible, and we are honored that Rex Tourist Inn β Rex Residence had the opportunity to welcome and accommodate the guests during their visit to Caramoan.
We may have simply provided a place for them to stay, but being able to witness these traditions firsthand reminded us of something important:
Our heritage is not only found in the places we visit.
Sometimes, it is found in the food we prepare and the stories we continue to tell. β€οΈ
May these traditions continue to be remembered, documented, shared, and passed on to the next generation.
πΏ This is Caramoan. This is our history. This is our pagkaon.
π Caramoan, Camarines Sur
π‘ Rex Tourist Inn β Rex Residence
π‘ Rex Tourist Inn β Caramoan Garden