If I needed to decide a favourite tree, it could be the Balete (a relative of the Banyan tree). There’s simply one thing about their haunting look, gnarled roots and their shut ties to creatures of folklore that I discover fascinating. They typically feel and look like they could possibly be portals to the Underworld. Or no less than the setting for a superb horror story.
The Balete tree is notorious in Philippine folklore for being the dwelling place of engkantos or supernatural creatures and nature spirits corresponding to dwendes (dwarves), kapres (tree demons), diwatas (fairies) and tikbalangs (demon horses). Should you grew up within the Philippines, you’ve in all probability been informed by superstitious folks to not go anyplace close to these timber as these could possibly be gateways to the world of myths. This in all probability explains why I’m drawn to them.
Balete timber are so well-known that Pinoy films and Halloween TV specials have been made about them. City legends nonetheless encompass Balete Drive in New Manila, a highway named after timber that previously lined it. Some drivers nonetheless keep away from this highway at night time, due to tales of a white woman roaming the streets.
Thought of sacred timber in different cultures, Balete timber are literally epiphytes, a sort of plant from the fig household that grows on different timber. They discover a host tree, connect themselves to it, ensnare it in a good maintain of roots, and strangle the host tree to dying. Different Balete timber begin as air vegetation and develop as hanging roots that finally attain the bottom, encircling and suffocating the host tree within the course of.
There are a number of well-known Balete timber across the Philippines, a few of which have turn into standard vacationer sights due to their age and large measurement. Listed here are just some of essentially the most notable ones you’ll find across the Philippines.
Vintage
The province of Vintage on the island of Panay in Western Visayas has lengthy been linked to tales of aswangs and witchcraft. Whereas I loved visiting Vintage’s lovely islands and mountains, it was nice to come across probably the most enchanting and unique-looking Balete timber I’ve seen up shut right here, stated to be no less than a century outdated.
Whereas visiting Nogas Island from the city of Anini-y, we got here throughout this ent-like marvel after a brief hike to a forested space by way of a tunnel of kalachuchi timber main in direction of the lighthouse. The branches dip down in a number of sections, making it very straightforward to climb. The roots kind pure doorways and passageways across the tree trunk.
Earlier than climbing up the tree, our native guides requested us to say “tabi, tabi po” (excuse me) to the unseen spirits out of respect to ask permission for passing by way of their territory. That is nonetheless a standard apply in lots of provinces. The stunning tree tunnel, presence of huge fruit bats within the forest and the truth that the island is dwelling to numerous cats solely add to this tree’s mystical high quality. You too can go snorkeling and diving or swim alongside the shores of the white sand seaside right here.
Aurora
One of the crucial visited vacationer spots for these going to the surf city of Baler is the 600-year outdated Balete tree within the neighboring city of Maria Aurora. This large tree towers greater than 5 tales excessive. It’s stated that it takes 60 folks holding fingers with arms outstretched to encircle it. Locals declare that that is the most important tree of its variety in Asia. Although it hasn’t fairly lived as much as its nickname but, it’s been dubbed “The Millenium Tree.”
What makes this tree much more fascinating is guests can enter and climb up inside it. The tree is hole and made up of a maze of gnarled roots intertwined inside and throughout offering a pure stairway you possibly can climb up like a beanstalk or vertical tunnel.
The best technique to climb up is to go barefoot so your ft can cling simply to the bark. A variety of the passageways require a good squeeze and never everybody can match by way of the roots to stand up. Another choice is to climb the roots exterior the tree itself.
Rizal
One in every of my favourite weekend locations is the province of Rizal. Daraitan, a village in Tanay, Rizal is dwelling to Tinipak Rocks and a cave that’s guarded by a big Balete tree. On the base of the tree is a tiny crevice from the place you descend down right into a darkish chamber and cave under. This tree is claimed to be no less than 300 years outdated.
Throughout my go to there, I seen blood smears on the rocks close to the timber. Our information informed us that locals nonetheless sacrificed chickens to the spirits of the tree and cave to make sure the protection of vacationers.
On the finish of the trail inside is a subterranean stream and small basin the place you possibly can take a dip in icy chilly cave waters. How’s that for an incredible portal to a hidden world?
Siquijor
Siquijor is one other island province within the Philippines shrouded in tales of sorcery and witchcraft. Dubbed the “Mystic Island,” this province within the Central Visayas is named the house of witches, shamanistic folks healers and mambabarang (individuals who may cause affliction or dying by supernatural means).
One in every of their main landmarks is the “Enchanted Balete Tree” in Barangay Campalanas. This grand 400-year outdated tree is believed to be the oldest and the largest within the province. You may simply discover it alongside the circumferential highway in Lazi.
What makes this tree distinctive is the pure spring. Siquijor’s balete tree has a small spring that has shaped on the base which flows right into a man-made pool the place you possibly can dip your ft. Guides let vacationers feed fish with bread and market the pool as an outside fish spa of types. The close by Lazi Convent and church are additionally price visiting should you’re within the space.
Misamis Occidental
Throughout a solo journey to Misamis Occidental, I used to be completely amazed by this Balete tree in the midst of a cemetery within the heritage city of Jimenez. This large tree is believed to be greater than 155 years outdated and is totally surrounded by graves.
The tree itself appears to be like creepy sufficient with all of the outstretched branches, however its location in a graveyard simply dials up the worry issue a notch. Crumbling crosses lie proper by the tree’s roots and a few branches have began to dip down and develop over the gravestones. The tree appears to be like extraordinarily wholesome, due to the vitamins within the soil surrounding it.
I type of needed to enter the roots simply to see if the tree was hole however didn’t need to desecrate any graves right here, so I simply took photographs from a distance. Based on locals, dad and mom used to scare children and say a big snake lived inside so that they wouldn’t enter. Let me know if it’s true should you ever go to. A few of the roots do look very snake-like.
Negros Oriental
I’ve but to go to the “Surprise Tree” of Canlaon Metropolis, which is believed to be 1,328 years outdated (as estimated by botanists from the Silliman College). You’ll find this tree in the midst of an unlimited rice and low plantations in OISCA Farm in Lumabao, roughly 4-5 hours from Dumaguete Metropolis within the province of Negros Oriental. Additionally referred to as “Dalakit”, that is stated to be the oldest recorded tree within the province and probably within the nation.
Actually, it’s so outdated that the tree was already standing earlier than the nation was found by Magellan. It takes about 42 grown males to encircle the colossal tree’s trunk with their fingers outstretched.
Superstitious folks consider that the Balete Tree is a spot the place fairies collect. However in actuality, the huge tree serves as a sanctuary for fireflies, which trigger it to mild up at night time. The tree itself serves as its personal ecosystem for bats, lizards and completely different sorts of bugs.
Whether or not or not these timber are portals to legendary worlds, for many who search them out, they’ll be gateways to some superb adventures in distant provinces off the vacationer path. I discover Balete timber superb relatively than creepy, however am glad for the superstitious beliefs surrounding them. These have truly labored of their favor for the reason that most important motive these timber have remained so well-preserved is the worry of angering nature spirits in the event that they’re reduce down. I solely want folks felt the identical about all timber normally.
