Felled Sacred Tree - Balete

Felled Sacred Tree - Balete

"Don't be afraid of the legendary kapre, in fact it is a friend in protecting Nature from the destructive hands of man." avr 

 Dr Abe V Rotor 

Strangler's Fig or Balete (Ficus benjamina) Family Moraceae*, estimated to be a century old, met its final end because it became an "obstruction" to development. And as it grew into a massive spreading queer looking tree with numerous prop roots it became alienated to residents, particularly superstitious people who believe the tree to be the home of the kapre, a hairy monster in Philippine folk literature. It had long been standing in the area which was originally part of the La Mesa Watershed which supplies water to Metro Manila until it was converted into the present Lagro subdivision.

*Ficus benjamina, commonly known as weeping fig, benjamin fig or ficus tree is native to Asia and Australia. It is the official tree of Bangkok. It is also popularly known as Banyan. It is considered sacred in India, Cambodia, Thailand and other countries. Temples "strangled" by the massive roots of banyan have been preserved for worship and tourism. The tree is abode to different organisms. Its small fruit are favored by some birds, such as the fruit doves and imperial pigeons. The tree reaches 30 m (98 ft) tall under natural conditions, with gracefully drooping branchlets and glossy leaves 6–13 cm (2–5 in), Its crown may cover a diameter of 10 meters. Prop roots grow on the spreading branches appearing like stilts and legs. In time the tree colonizes the surrounding area and even extends farther where condition are favorable. . True enough, the banyan is dubbed the "walking tree", its compounded trunk measuring several meters in diameter.

 

Juvenille balete wraps an acacia tree with its interlacing prop roots, hence the name strangler's fig. (UST Manila),  Another balete rises to the crown of its host tree, a lauan. (UPLB Mt Makiling).  Photos by the author.

 

Left: Several balete trees such as this, estimated to be more than 100 years old, are safely protected at the spacious grounds of the Sacred Heart Novitiate, a walking distance from the felled balete tree in Lagro. Events are often held under the massive umbrella of these trees. Ghosts are often "seen" such as these impressions.  Right: Ancient temple entombed by banyan is revered sacred in Cambodia as it was centuries before.  Today It is a tourist attraction. 

Author poses before a stone image of Buddha popping out of the menacing roots of  balete (Ficus benamina). Ayutthaya, Thailand  2010

  

In many parts of  Thailand, India and Cambodia temples for both the spirit and the living are built or preserved on old banyan trees 

Banyan trees guard a tomb; foot bridges are built from extended prop roots of banyan. 

Philippines’ oldest tree.

Apart from its age, the balete tree is huge and needs at least 42 people to fully encircle its trunk.

Canlaon’s balete tree stands in the middle of rice and coffee plantations in Oisca Farm in Lumapao. As with trees of this species, it is regarded with some awe, fascination, and superstition.

The tree has a cavity in its middle and is home to lizards, bats, and insects. At night, hundreds of fireflies illuminate the huge tree. Some local folks believe that the balete tree is a gathering spot for fairies and supernatural folk. ~