pagnapagna: "TREES AMIGOS" of La Union with three things in common

"Old - School - Acacia"

-pagnapagna

Last year, I've been to the La Union Centennial tree (Carcarmay Tree) in barangay Carcarmay, Bacnotan, La Union. Later on, i learned about the tree at barangay Wenceslao (Wenceslao Tree) and recently i heard from a local AM radio station (Bombo Radyo) about the tree at barangay Salincob (Salincob Tree).

Although they are located far away from each other, these three trees have these three things in common.

These are:

Old

They might have started growing during the late Spanish Occupation in the country (1800's) which makes them at least a century old. They have bigger trunks than most of the other trees and have multiple branches that spreads as far as it can.

School

These trees are all fenced within government owned schools (public) and are either an Elementary School or High School. They also serves as natural shelter for students' outdoor activities.

Acacia

They are all Acacia trees. As one of the large trees in the Philippines, acacias are also the most common trees on churches' grounds and along highways.

-my pagnapagna-

Salincob Tree (26 January 2013 Sunday)

From downtown Bacnotan, La Union (Supermarket area), i rode a tricycle going north along the National Highway then went eastward through the DMMMSU-MLUC (Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University - Mid-La Union Campus) welcome arch at 7:03 am. Few meters away from the Barangay Hall of Salincob, we turned left going north from the road. We finally arrived at Salincob Elementary School at 7:08 am. The gate of the school was wide open and at the back of the school, the tree can be seen.

I stayed there for just some few minutes taking photographs and videos of the tree. At 7:55 am, i left the school and walked my way to the main road near the Barangay Hall of Salincob (8:01 am) where i rode a tricycle going back and arrived at Supermarket area of Bacnotan at 8:14 am.

Carcarmay Tree (26 January 2013 Sunday)

After coming from barangay Salincob for the Salincob Tree, at 8:26 am, the same day, from Bacnotan Supermarket area, i rode a jeep that is bound for "Darigayos (Luna)". I went down at a junction at barangay Ballogo, Bacnotan, La Union (8:43 am) and rode a tricycle that arrived in Carcarmay Elementary School at 8:47 am.

I went inside Carcarmay Elementary School to see the "La Union Centennial Tree" and noticed that there where some development going on around its area. Got some photos and videos of the tree and went my way back hurrying. I hurriedly went back to meet some student artist and their instructors at LUNHS-SPA (La Union National High School - Special Programs in the Arts) in San Fernando, La Union for their art exhibit preparation.

Wenceslao Tree (27 January 2013 Monday)

Around 3 o'clock in the afternoon, from San Fernando City, La Union, I rode a mini-bus going south (bound for Carmen, Rosales, Pangasinan). It passed by the town of Bauang and the welcome arch between Bauang and Caba, both of which are municipalities of La Union. I went down from the bus where there was a road going west and a signboard that said Welcome to WENCESLAO Elem. and National High School at Caba, La Union. I walked along this road that led me to the sea shore. Beside it was the Wenceslao Elementary and National High School.

That day was a typical school day. Classes were on-going so i went to one of the rooms to ask permission. There, i got to talked to the very welcoming Mr. Oscar Gatchalian who is a science teacher. He gave me the go-ahead and so i took photographs and video of the tree (Unfortunately, i accidentally erased the video that i took).

I thanked Mr. Gatchalian and went my way back to San Fernando City, La Union.

I went back to the area and shoot some videos of the tree (January 31, 2014). The edited video can be seen below.

-end of pagnapagna-

"Salincob Tree"

Located at Salincob Elementary School in Bacnotan, La Union, this tree grows at the back of the school buildings where an auditorium was constructed.

Sitting at the auditorium's stage

It was not yet confirmed if it was a century old tree but from the looks of it and compared to the "La Union Centennial Tree" which is the "Carcarmay Tree", it is not too far to be as such.

For more Photos CLICK HERE

"Carcarmay Tree"

The being developed area at the Centennial Tree. The new comfort room can be seen at lower left of the photo

It is an old acacia tree located at Carcarmay Elementary School in Bacnotan, La Union and regarded as the "La Union Centennial Tree".

Sitting at the base of the Centennial Tree

Its branches has a longer reach growing outward from its trunk, some of which droops down to as low as 6 feet from the ground.

Development are undergoing around the base of the tree and surrounding area. Concrete benches and tables are now provided resting on concrete block pavings that encircled its base and bordered with planters.

A wood trellis at the Centennial tree

Aside from the wood trellis-works, a new restroom is also constructed. As i write this blog post, the area is being cleared of unnecessary structures.

(For the Previous Blog post of Centennial Tree CLICK HERE)

"Wenceslao Tree"

Located at the Wenceslao Elementary and National High School in Caba, La Union, this acacia tree looks more upright compared to the other two trees.

The Wenceslao Tree

On its branches grows and clings a green vine making it more fascinating.

Together with Science teacher Oscar Gatchalian and English teacher Gertrudes Tangalin at
the base of the Wenceslao Tree

(Here is the Video)

For more Photos CLICK HERE

Subject : Salincob Tree

Location : Salincob Elementary School,

Barangay of Salincob,

Municipality of Bacnotan,

Province of La Union

How to get there:

From Manila ride a bus bound for either of these: Laoag City (Ilocos Norte), Vigan City(Ilocos Sur), Candon City (Ilocos Sur), Bangued (Abra), San Fernando City (La Union).

You have to get down at downtown Bacnotan, La Union (Supermarket area) and ride a tricycle to Salincob Elementary School where the tree is located. But if you got down at downtown San Fernando City, La Union, ride a jeep bound for Bacnotan, La Union then ride a tricycle to Salincob Elementary School or better yet at san fernando , La Union ride a jeep bound for Sapilang, Bacnotan, La Union then get down at Salincob Barangay hall where tou will ask direction to salincob elementary School.

Subject : "Carcarmay Tree" a.k.a. La Union Centennial Tree

Location : Carcarmay Elementary School,

Barangay of Salincob,

Municipality of Bacnotan,

Province of La Union

How to get there:

(See previous post by CLICKING HERE)

Subject : Wenceslao Tree

Location : Wenceslao Elementary and National High School

Barangay of Wenceslao

Municipality of Caba,

Province of La Union

How to get there:

From Manila ride a bus bound for either of these: Laoag City (Ilocos Norte), Vigan City(Ilocos Sur), Candon City (Ilocos Sur), Bangued (Abra), San Fernando City (La Union).

Either get down at downtown Caba, La Union and ride a tricycle to Wenceslao Elementary and National High School or get down directly at the crossing where the signage that says "to Wenceslao Elementary and National High School" is located by the roadside (Barangay Bautista)and walk some 400 meters going west (seaside) where the School is.