Hauntingly Beautiful – Lazi’s Century-Old Balete Tree

March 20, 2020July 29, 2021 Rex Lim Lim balete tree, landmarks, LAZI, SIQUIJOR, TRANSIT PINAS, TRAVEL GUIDE

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In no time, we were standing next to the gnarly yet haunting Balete tree of Lazi just beside the highway.

The Land of Faith Healing: strange as it seems, travelling to the island of Siquijor will raise eyebrows once mentioned because of its reputation for the black arts. Even the older generations still practices and believes in witchcraft and sorcery; although at present time it is still practiced in a less prevalent scale.

Let Transit Pinas take you on a journey of unveiling what hides behind the peculiar stories and legends surrounding the mystic island of Siquijor and why you should start packing your bags and discover for yourself what awaits in the cntury old Balete Tree of Lazi.

Under The Canopy: A Tickle Fest

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Still in awe of beach and waters inside and nearby the Siquijor Port, our tricycle started rolling along the winding circumferential road of the province.

Siquijor’s Balete Tree vines reaches down until the ground and its lush leaves provide a cool canopy from the intense heat of the midday sun. A number of people sitting inside the natural pool just below the canopy of the Balete Tree, are having the time of their lives.

It is said to be around 400 years old and the biggest in the island. This is only the third biggest after the Balete Trees in Canlaon City in Negros Oriental and the ones in Baler, Aurora. But this one is unique from the lot since it has a fish spa underneath it.

At the base of this ginormous tree is a cold spring that flows down into the pond. This is artificially placed by the people with a little overflow down the street. Maybe this explains the longevity and the size of the said tree.

I also noticed that the host tree where the Balete Tree is thriving is still alive. Contrary to popular belief, Balete’s do not grow on their own, they are rather parasitic in nature and wraps itself around a healthy tree until it dies. But with the case of this Siquijor Tree, they are having quite a peculiar understanding.

Then from below the water thrives a number of small fishes that nibbles out the dead skin cells from the feet. This is a fish spa indeed. We also tried doing it and ended up pulling our feet from time to time due to the ticklish feeling when a group starts to swarm around. Then there are also big Tilapia fishes that helps out the little ones in nibbling nasty dead skin cells.

Ga-Ga-Gayuma!

Then adjacent the Balete tree is a souvenir shop and a cafe selling peculiar items that are up for grabs. It is only in Siquijor where you get to buy a vial of Gayuma (Love Potion), Voodoo Dolls as key chains, Anting-anting (Charms). They also have all sorts of oily concoctions for any ailing body parts and dried mixture of leaves that is said to heal sorts of diseases.

Truly, Siquijor capitalizes in its reputation for the black arts and sorcery. This makes the mystical island stand out from the rest.

Up to this day, as of this writing, I can still feel those swarm of fishes eating the calluses from my feet. What an experience from Isla Del Fuego!

How To Get There

This is part of the Siquijor Tricycle Day Tour hosted by Kuya Raul Gom-os (09355965465)
- Siquijor Circumferential Road, Lazi, Siquijor
- Entrance Fee: 15php
- Tricycle Tour: 1000php Day Tour

Demystifying Isla del Fuego: From Black Magic Maria, love potions, Voodoo Dolls, broomstick rides, century old churches and convent, up to the stunning waterfalls and beaches. Let Transit Pinas take you on a day trip across SIQUIJOR as he uncovers the brighter side beyond the esoteric and peculiar charm of the province. Follow this adventure series into the Land of Faith Healing, as I ventured into my 56th province last September 09, 2018. Umari kamo niing matahum nga dapit!