Alex Socorro
The Balete tree is also known as Ficus. It is popular in the rural areas particularly in the mountainous areas because it is easy to grow. Birds eat the small fruits like red berries when ripe and they scatter the seeds hence the propagation is quick. A grown Balete tree has roots hanging from the branches down to the ground. It has an eerie look that the tree has been the subject of so many horror stories.
One legend is a spirit that lives in the tree would mesmerize the hunter in the mountain. The spirit loves birds so the bird hunters of old would always fall to the magic of the spirit when the hunter takes a rest under the Balete tree. But obviously, the birds love the tree because of the berries that it produces during summer. And even if the Balete is now a popular ornamental tree, the legend would always remain.
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Do you have a balete tree in your village?
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Yes
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No
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I don’t believe we have that type of tree in my area, but Oaks, Sequoia’s and pine trees, and fruit baring trees!
When we were young, our grandparents would tell us not to play near the Balete tree, we might disturb the spirits living on the tree.