On the Other Side

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    Have you ever heard one of the stories regarding Balete trees? I believe that the very first thing which emerged from the back of your minds is the “Balete Drive” story. According to myths and rumors, this account is mostly about people who had encountered supernatural beings such as “evil ghosts”, “tikbalang”, “white lady” or “kapre” which (I do not know why!) prefer to reside at the enormous standing Balete trees. No doubt, people who had felt the mere presence of these horrible creatures had experienced the living hell out of themselves to be startled! Frightening? Really it is! But now, let me share to you a different perspective of the known-to-be-terrifying Balete story. A story to which I am pretty much related with, my own story.

    I grew up in a small yet, very simple and comfortable house in Santa Rosa, Laguna. About 10 meters away from the door of my humble home, a playground which is surrounded by various trees, to be specific, balete trees, mango trees, coconut-like trees and many others, can be found. Among these trees I had mentioned, the huge Balete tree situated at the north-east part of the park is the only one which has this great sentimental value for me.

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    I had live in my lovely house for about 11 years, and I am pretty sure that I am a living witness (Perhaps, a self-proclaimed witness!) to the growth and improvement of this balete tree. Going back to year 2001, this tree was most likely 2 ft. in height. It was so hard to notice because of its minute size compare to other trees in the place and that was the reason back then, why when my friends and I began playing in the park, we almost step and tumble upon it! Years passed and 2004 arrived, this tiny-labeled-plant, turned out to be a gigantic tree. A three year margin was enough for it to become a mighty tree standing about 20 ft. with its lengthy bulky branches and lushly growing leaves. The balete tree I once knew to be superfluous became a stronghold for the birds, beetles and other insects most especially in times when storms (MILENYO!) devastated the country. Moreover, it was a place-to-play in. It produces a large dimension of shade which is very suitable for refreshment, toying marbles, watching spider bouts and for playing “moro-moro”. Desperate to have a basketball court in our street, my colleagues and I surely made a basketball ring attached into a wood backboard and hanged on the balete tree. Unfortunately, in just a short span of time, (about 2 days) the mock basketball ring we had created out of our hopelessness, gave up! 

    It had witnessed my growth starting from my childhood years up to now, my journey on the adolescence stage. Undoubtedly, this balete story of mine is completely different from the others. It is not about creatures lurking in the night, ready to feed on your soul or rupture your very flesh. Instead, it is a story pertaining to happiness and contentment which are possibly tangible through friendship and memories made. A lot of remarkable stories this tree has. I cannot deny that it has become a really huge part of my life. I love everything about this balete tree: its beauty, its greatness, its purpose and the memories I had garnered from it. It is such  a stupendous tree!