F & C BALETE VIEW CAFE & RESTAUBAR CANLAON CITY

BALETE VIEW CAFE'

Location: Century Tree, Barangay Aquino, Canlaon City, Philippines.

By Henry Libo-on, Touristang Pobre. 

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Introduction

In Philippines folklore, the Balete Tree, scientifically called Ficus balete Merr is a kind of plant (plantae) that grows in the different areas of the forest. In some cases, Balete grows near the water, a creek, river, or spring. In some cases, it also grows on plains, among others. Because so many stories about the tree had been handed down from generation to generation, the Balete was left alone and thus, allowed to grow for hundreds of years. Others even reached to a thousand years. 

So, why do they reach that age? 

My grandmother used to tell us that the "Lunok" or Balete near our house is the dwelling place of "Engkanto" or supernatural creatures, and nature spirits like "Kama-Kama", also known as Dwendes or dwarves, "Tikbalang" or demon horses, "Kapre" or tree demons who loves to smoke long cigars, and "Diwatas" (not the one selling "pares overload" haha...) or fairies. 

Children and adults, therefore, are scared of going near the Balete Tree or Lunok for fear that the spirits will get mad and cause illness to them or their families. 

So, the tree has all the time in the world to grow long enough that some of them reach 400 years, (Siquijor Island, Nogas Island and Sipaway Island?) 500 years or even 1,328 years like the one we have in Canlaon City. 

Now, that this Balete tree in Canlaon City is frequented by international and local tourists every day, it, therefore, becomes a necessity to provide the visitors with a decent place to eat. 

Look at this place. This is wide enough to accommodate a bigger group of say, 20 - 30 pax for an event like birthday, anniversary, family meeting or bonding, seminar/training workshop or maybe team building exercises. Venue and Caterer just beside you. Easy peasy, right? 

This is a nice spot to enjoy your coffee or meal on a shady day, meaning no direct sunlight and not raining. 

Here comes, F & C Balete View Cafe'.

In 2015, I visited the century tree for the first time. My day was really loaded with schedules, and we arrived at the century tree, hungry and thirsty. 

I looked around for vendors, but I have not seen any that day. So, I kept myself busy with pictorials and interviewing the locals about any story, legend, or "mariteses" about the century tree. Oh, dear, the "Mariteses" told me: "Daghan diri ga hide and seek kon gabii, gi himo nila "lovers lane" ang century tree. 

Others say the tree is "mari-it" or enchanted and that there are lots of fireflies at night. I said, ah ok. 

Back to my hunger and thirst. 

But now, there is a coffee shop near the century tree. I went there yesterday, and they have brewed coffee and other style of preparing coffee, either hot or cold, and they have a wide selection of Juices, Sandwiches, Pizza and Pies, among others.

Balete View Cafe' has a wide-open space that is well landscaped. There are garden sets (we call it garden chairs too, right?) spread in strategic area. Beside the main coffee house, there is a wide event area under the Balete tree. This spot can accommodate, I guess, from 20 to 30 persons for event like birthday, anniversary, family meeting cum bonding, training-seminar, team building exercise, among others. 

By, the way, near the century tree, the city government is constructing a big structure as restroom. 

Are there tourist spots accessible after the Balete View Cafe?

Yes, after your event at the Cafe', you can drop by the OISCA Training Center. OISCA stands for Organization for Industrial, Spiritual, and Cultural Advancement. 

I visited this place and talked to their key employees in 2015. The famous OISCA Volunteer that I know is Fumio Mizuno. We had a helping cooperation in the implementation of food production program I initiated in a few towns in Negros Occidental prior to his "incident" in the upland of Barandiaran, Mambucal. My brother who worked for Bombo Radyo followed his case until his release with the help of then Bishop Antonio Fortich. My brother Joe's son was christened Mizuno. 

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Where to stay?

If you plan to stay for the night in Canlaon City, there a few hotels that can be your home away from home. 

1. F & C Guest House - corner Rizal-Mabini Streets, Canlaon City 

2. Mountian CITI Inn - Canlaon City

3. Canlaon City Pension House - Exodus Street, Panubigan, Canlaon City 

***and more hotel accommodations if you will stay in Dumaguete City and/or Bacolod City which is two hours away from Canlaon City proper.

Where to eat? 

There are several restaurants in Canlaon City that cater to the needs of tourists. Popular among them is F & C Restaubar which is located beside F & C Guest House. 

It has wide service area for diners both inside and outside the resto, sort of open-air area. 

At F & C Restaubar, we had Halo-Halo topped with Ube Ice Cream, while waiting for our lunch. Our team says "Thank You" to Mam Cecile Canada. Surely, our visit to Canlaon City is very memorable. 

Photo by Henry Libo-on (Hengli Qing Long).

Mahal, Kape Tayo 

Source: YouTube by EJ Clarks. 

Thanks.

What is A Youth

Source: YouTube by fkwk101

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This restaubar have two airconditioned rooms for meetings or special event. 

The last time I dined there, there was Karaoke. I'm sure, it is still there. Pinoy pa, music is life, o' di ba? 

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My comments: 

For tourists or travelers to Canlaon City, your day tour can be an exciting one if you know where to go - tourist spots, dining, or sleeping. 

I think, I have shared with you some ideas to prepare you before your visit to the city of Canlaon. 

If your purpose is to relax, unwind, and chill after your city tour, F & C Balete View Cafe' is just the right spot for you. 

My classmates from San Francisco and Sacramento, California had a great time visiting the beautiful spots in Canlaon City and ended their day at the Balete View Cafe'. 

As a travel writer, my eyes feasted on the beautiful and tourist-class coffee shop here on the vicinity of the century tree. Enough time is needed to be able to enjoy the peace and quiet of this spot while sipping your coffee with matching fries or what have you? I mean, you have to stay a bit longer and embrace the vibe. 

Finally, I am comforable in this coffee shop because their staff are friendly, amiable, and helpful. I wish, we can return soon. 

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Wait, please copy this link and use to "google search" and watch it. Thanks.. 

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1932539810509320

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To my readers, make your plan. If you are in Canlaon City proper, "swing na sa Balete View Cafe". 

Century Tree from YouTube

by Henry Touristang Pobre.

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Wait, if you enjoy reading this, please LIKE and SHARE this with your friends. Thank you. 

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For more coffee experience, you can visit the links hereunder to know more about Coffee and how it plays in sustaining friendships be it business or monkey business, hehe...😂 just kidding. Nami istorya kon ga pangape, o' di ba?

1. ABACA CAFE' THE BEST COFFEE HOUSE IN THE SOUTH - Touristang Pobre 

2.  SALVADOR BENEDICTO: PANGAPE SA HIGAD DALAN - Touristang Pobre

3.  KIKULAS CAFE: A COFFE SHOP ON THE HILL - Touristang Pobre

4.  FRESCA NGA HANGIN SA BUKID - Touristang Pobre

5. PHILIPPINES CENTURY TREE INHABITED BY THE SPIRITS?? COOL WATERS OF INLAND RESORT AND BEAUTIFUL OISCA FARM - Touristang Pobre

6.OISCA: JAPANESE ASSISTED FARM IN CANLAON CITY - Touristang Pobre 

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1932539810509320

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May 5, 2024

Canlaon City

Philippines