PHILIPPINES CENTURY TREE INHABITED BY THE SPIRITS?? COOL WATERS OF INLAND RESORT AND BEAUTIFUL OISCA FARM

CENTURY TREE IS CANLAON CITY'S TOURIST ATTRACTION 

By Henry Libo-on

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It was Springtime in New Jersey when I decided to spend a summer vacation in the Philippines.  The idea of leaving the U.S. and stay for several months in my hometown, Bacolod City, gave me enough time to visit those places that I failed to visit the last time I had my vacation in Negros Island. 

Upon the invitation of my close friends, Josephine, and Francis Segundino, I went to Canlaon City en route to Cebu. We spent the whole morning visiting the tourist spots of Canlaon City.  One of these is the popular Century Tree.  It is one of the most photographed objects in this heartland of Negros Oriental. 

Copyright photos by Henry Libo-on

We left their house at Canlaon that morning and after traveling for several minutes, we reached Barangay Lumapao where this tree is located.  At the entrance, we were asked by the city employee to write our names in the Log Book because the city government would like to know the number of people who visit the tree.  So, we did. From a distance, I took several pictures of the tree using my Fuji Fine Pix S4400 Digital Camera.  It is also a Video Camera. 

As we approached the tree, I was filled with an awesome feeling because this is the first time that I saw such a huge tree.  I imagine it needs several people to surround the tree or "hug" it.  There were only four of us, Jo and her youngest sister, then Ligut and myself.  So, it cannot be.  What we did was, we stretch our arms as wide as we can and show to everyone, that we need more warm bodies to do the task.  I posted a picture here. 

Actually, the "Balete" tree is within the OISCA Farm at Barangay Lumapao, Canlaon City.  According to Wikipedia, the botanists from Silliman University based at Dumaguete City estimated the tree to be around 1,328 years old. Our driver also told me that inside the tree is a hollow portion which became the home of many insects, bats, and lizards, among others.  I saw a small gap between roots that looked like a door and this leads to the hollow portion that the driver was talking about. He further told me that at night, there were thousands of fireflies that surround the tree, thus, making it look like a Christmas Tree. Wow, this is really interesting.  If I have enough time, I would volunteer to camp there at night and take some footage of the fireflies. In my village at Taculing, I have not seen any firefly anymore, but I saw a few fireflies that light up the tree at the back of the house in New Jersey. Anyway, firefly watching could be another reason for tourists to camp at Barangay Lumapao's Century Tree. 

This century tree is also known as the "Balete" or "Banyan" tree.  Scientifically speaking, "a number of these trees are known as strangler figs wherein they start upon other trees, later entrapping them entirely and finally killing the host tree."  They are also called hemiepiphytes, Some of these "Balete" trees produce an inferior quality of rubber. (Source: Wikipedia, this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balete_tree)

Because of its mysterious aura and sheer natural beauty, the century tree of Canlaon City had become the favorite place to hold the reception for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions.  The tree is located at the center of a huge park.  

A few locals, however, whispered to me that they believed that the tree is the home of spirits that "rule" this area. The same story that I heard from my parents when we were children. Our old house was near the "Balete" tree or locally known as "Lunok". Sometimes we smell an overcooked crab and surprisingly we do not cook one. When my mother asked our neighbor about the smell, they told her they did not cook crab that day. Sometimes at noontime, we hear silverwares clicking as if some people were having meals. That noise emanated from the "Lunok" tree. Sounds weird? 

 Back to the Canlaon century tree, the gatekeeper told me that at night, the century tree has become the dating place for some romantic interludes.  I just hope the fairies will not use their magic wands to do harm to these jolly souls.  

Canlaon is accessible by public transport, bus or private cars from Dumaguete, Bacolod City and any points on the island of Negros.

Inland Resort at Malaiba, Canlaon City is an added feature to our trip to the century tree. Photo by Touristang Pobre

What to do in Canlaon City?

1.  Go for a Picnic at the Century Tree.  Just coordinate with the City Tourism Office at Bonifacio Street, Canlaon City.

2.  Go swimming with your family and friends at the Inland Resort.

3.  Tour the OISCA Farm and the neighboring farming community where you can find the Canlaon Rice Terraces and several vegetables and flower farms.

4.  Visit the Canlaon City Public Market in the morning for your low-priced vegetables, fruits, and other farm products.\

5.  Have an outdoor adventure at the Mananawin River Slides.

6.  Go on a Kanlaon Safari.  You have to coordinate with the Tourism Office or the DENR so they can provide you with expert local guides who are mostly members of the local mountaineering society.

7.  Attend the Canlaon City Pasayaw Festival in February.  This year's Festival was held on March 19, 2019.  This is the highlight of the week-long festival, the Street Dancing.

This is a recording of the Pasayaw Festival 2018.  Source:  youtube.

Where to stay in Canlaon?

I suggest you try the homestay method.  If you have a friend who can accommodate you to stay in their house that would be a very nice experience.  However, there are nice hotels and inns already existing in Canlaon City. There are affordable hotels and inns for backpackers and budget travelers. Once you are in Canlaon, you may approach the Tourism Office at City Hall for help. You can also check the internet for names of hotels and their contact numbers, prior to visiting the city.  

My recommendation would be:

1.  F & C Guesthouse.  Annex to this hotel is a restaurant and a bar.  It is located along the road in the heart of the city.

2.  Mountain Citi Tourist Inn.  This is the newest hotel in the city.  I find their hotel rates affordable.

Canlaon City is a nice choice as the "jump-off" point for a trek to Kanla-on Volcano and Mt. Talinis. There are well-trained guides in the city that can help fulfill your wish for a Kanla-on Volcano adventure.  Just coordinate with the City Tourism Office.

TP does not own this photo. This was sourced from the Canlaon City Tourism Office Website.

Thank you to the rightful owner of this photo. 

My note: I have been to Canlaon Volcano twice, one in 1979 I guess and the second one in 1988, I guess. It was a long time ago. I took several photos of the Margaja Valley down on the right side where we had our camp for the night and the second one was when we camped at the shoulder "Abaga" of the Volcano right where these guys are on this photo. 

Thank you.

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Margaja Valley, Mt. Kanlaon.  I have been to this place twice, one in 1979 and another in 1988 together with the Mountaineering Society of Negros.  In 1979, my first trek to the crater of the volcano, we camped at the Margaja Valley. On our second trek in 1988, we camped at the "Abaga" or shoulder of the volcano on the left side of this picture and we climbed to the crater at around 8:00 o'clock in the morning.  We walked down on the shoulder on the right on our way down to La Carlota City. 

(Photo sourced from canlaoncity.gov.ph)

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Updated June 7, 2018.
Updated August 13, 2019.
Updated March 20, 2020. 
Reviewed on April 4, 2023.