The Century Old Balete Tree is one of the faces of Siquijor and must be visited in the province. It is a fig tree family, or the "stranger tree", because it grows beside other trees and sometimes kills the host tree by strangling it. In Philippine folklore, balete is the house of the tikbalang (horse demon), dwende (elves) and diwata (fairies). This old tree, according to stories, is mythical.
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| Photo of the cute and tiny fish doctors. |
On the 400-year-old tree is a pool filled with cool, crystal-clear spring water. According to stories, every time children were missing, the locals thought that the guardian of the balete tree abducted them. Later, these children appear. Today, the tree and the pool are where the fish doctors swim around. Not sure if they are "fish na doctor" or "doctor na fish." Whatever they are, if you dip your feet, they will remove all your dead skin and massage your feet. By the entrance, there are love potions and souvenir shops. Entrance fees are to be collected.
Tour Around Siquijor and Where to Stay: The province's main tourist spots and destinations are accessible via a habal-habal. Referred by a friend, I met Kuya Leo, a habal-habal driver who brought me to these stunning places. You can contact him on Ph: 09354434400. WHERE TO STAY: Tori's Backpackers Paradise is the cheapest backpacker hostel. I paid 350 pesos per night for a dormitory-type room. You can contact them on Ph: 09663296863, 09071326666 or search them on Facebook.
How to Get to Century Old Balete Tree: From Manila, you can either take a flight to Dumaguete, Negros Oriental or Tagbilaran, Bohol. I highly recommend Manila to Dumaguete Airport because it's cheaper. From Dumaguete Airport, charter a tricycle to Dumaguete Port. Then, a fast craft ferry to the province. If in Tagbilaran, you must ride on the shuttle to Island City Mall (ICM) and then charter a trike to the port. Ride a ferry to the destination. Charter a habal-habal by the port.