The Akasya tree (Samanea saman) near Culasi North Elementary School is a century-old tree visible throughout Culasi. It was planted during the tenure of a former municipal president in the 1930s, before the school was built on land donated by his family. Locals believe the tree is haunted, sharing stories of mysterious sightings and supernatural occurrences that create a strong sense of folklore around it. Despite these eerie tales, the tree stands as a symbol of community identity, history, and natural beauty, providing shade and uniting residents through shared beliefs. Attempts to remove the tree have been avoided by local leaders, fearing the spirits said to guard it. While not endangered, the akasya is protected under national environmental laws, although infrastructure development poses a potential threat to its preservation.
Domain:
Location/s:
Photo Credit/s:
Blanco 2024
Mappers:
Jefferson D. Sillario, John Paul A. Imbang, Samuel Cezar Rubido, Dezhel Jane Maubol, April Lyn Genovea, Medy Jane Blanco
Tags:
Akasya Tree, Antique Philippines, Century-Old Tree, Community Heritage, Community Symbol, Culasi, Culasi North Elementary School, Cultural Identity, Eerie Tales, Environmental Symbol, Former Municipal President, Haunted Tree, Heritage Tree, Historic Landmark, historical site, land donation, Living Heritage, Local Folklore, National Environmental Law, Natural Monument, Oral Tradition, Protected Tree, Samanea saman, School Landmark, Shade Tree, Spirit Guardians, Supernatural Beliefs, Traditional Beliefs, Tree Preservation, Urban Development Threat, Western Visayas
Want to know more?
Inquire about this specific heritage by filling up the form below.
We will get back to you with an answer as soon as we can.
