The balete tree (also known as balite or baliti) are several species of trees in the Philippines from the genus Ficus , which are generally referred to as balete in Filipino.
A number of these are strangler figs , as they germinate upon other trees, before entrapping their host tree entirely and eventually killing it. Consequently the young plants are hemiepiphytes, i.e. epiphytes or air plants that grow several hanging roots which eventually touch the ground and take root. Some baletes produce natural rubber of an inferior quality. The Indian rubber tree, F. elastica , was formerly cultivated to some extent for rubber. Some of the species like tangisang-bayawak or Ficus variegata are large and could probably be utilized for match wood. The wood of Ficus species are soft, light, and of inferior quality, and the trees usually have ill-formed, short boles. [1]
Baletes are planted as graceful trees along avenues in Manila and other large cities in the Philippines, and they are also excellent as shade trees. [4] Several species of the tree are also use for bonsai making in the country. [17] [18]
Baletes are used as houseplants; [19] however, it is a source of indoor household allergens which may cause respiratory allergy. [9]
In some areas of the country, some people believe that balete trees are dwelling places for supernatural beings ( engkanto ) like diwata , kapre or tikbalang . In some places, sorcery rituals are known performed inside the chambers formed by the tree. [20] Also among others, some superstitious folks suggest not bringing in balete as decorative plants inside a house as they allegedly invite ghosts. [9]
Balete Drive in New Manila, Quezon City, named after a enormous balete tree that used to stand in the middle of the street, is allegedly one of the most haunted places in the city. The tale of a white lady appears at night hailing cars that drive by has been circulated since the 1950s. [21]
Ficus is a genus of about 850 species of woody trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes and hemiepiphytes in the family Moraceae. Collectively known as fig trees or figs, they are native throughout the tropics with a few species extending into the semi-warm temperate zone. The common fig (F. carica) is a temperate species native to southwest Asia and the Mediterranean region, which has been widely cultivated from ancient times for its fruit, also referred to as figs. The fruit of most other species are also edible though they are usually of only local economic importance or eaten as bushfood. However, they are extremely important food resources for wildlife. Figs are also of considerable cultural importance throughout the tropics, both as objects of worship and for their many practical uses.
Siquijor, officially the Province of Siquijor, is a Philippine island province located within the Negros Island Region. Its largest town and capital is the municipality of Siquijor. The province lies south of Cebu, southeast of Negros Oriental, southwest of Bohol, and north of Mindanao.
Negros Oriental, officially the Province of Negros Oriental, is a province in the Philippines located in the Negros Island Region. Its capital is the city of Dumaguete, one of the two regional centers of Negros Island Region. It occupies the southeastern half of the large island of Negros, and borders Negros Occidental, which comprises the northwestern half. It also includes Apo Island, a popular dive site for both local and foreign tourists.
Quezon City, also known as the City of Quezon and Q.C., is the most populous city in the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 2,960,048 people. It was founded on October 12, 1939, and was named after Manuel L. Quezon, the second president of the Philippines.
Ficus benjamina, commonly known as weeping fig, benjamin fig or ficus tree, and often sold in stores as just ficus, is a species of flowering plant in the family Moraceae, native to Asia and Australia. It is the official tree of Bangkok. The species is also naturalized in the West Indies and in the states of Florida and Arizona in the United States. Its small fruit are favored by some birds. Ficus tree has shown to have environmental benefits in urban areas like being a biomonitor. The plant also has allergens associated with it.
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Maria Aurora, officially the Municipality of Maria Aurora, is the only landlocked and municipality in the province of Aurora, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 44,958 people.
Balete, officially the Municipality of Balete, is a municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 24,055 people. The people from Balete is called Baleteños.
Lemery, officially the Municipality of Lemery, is a municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 93,186 people.
Malvar, officially the Municipality of Malvar, is a municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 64,379 people.
The Interim Batasang Pambansa was the legislature of the Republic of the Philippines from its inauguration on June 12, 1978, to June 5, 1984. It served as a transitional legislative body mandated by the 1973 Constitution as the Philippines shifted from a presidential to a semi-presidential form of government.
Balete Drive is an undivided two-lane street and the main thoroughfare of New Manila, Quezon City, Philippines. The road is a major route for jeepneys and cabs, serving the New Manila area and connecting Eulogio Rodriguez Sr. Avenue and Nicanor Domingo Street in Quezon City.
Aurora Boulevard is a four-to-ten-lane major thoroughfare in Quezon City and San Juan in Metro Manila, Philippines. It is named after Doña Aurora Quezon, the consort of Commonwealth President Manuel Luis Quezon. It is one of the major roads in the commercial district of Araneta City in Cubao. LRT Line 2 follows the alignment of the boulevard.
San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, commonly known as Lazi Church, is a Roman Catholic church in the municipality of Lazi, Siquijor, Philippines within the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Dumaguete. It became an independent parish in 1857 under the advocacy of Saint Isidore the Laborer.
The Port of Dumaguete is a seaport in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines. It is owned and managed by the Philippine Ports Authority and is the base port of the Port Management Office of Negros Oriental/Siquijor.
Mariana, is an urban barangay in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. It is part of a middle class residential development known as New Manila, which includes Barangay Mariana and the adjacent barangays of Damayang Lagi, Horseshoe and Valencia.