THE ACACIA

No one remembers its birth for it outlived those who gave it home but cared not or simply forgot to record the event. That it was more than a century old spanning generations that shaped Tanay's history commands easy acceptance because extant church records dating back to the Spanish era showed pictures in the Tanay Tercentenary Souvenir book published in 1940. This is not to mention the enormous size of its roots requiring no less than 8 people, hands spread sideways, to embrace it.

Photo courtesy of Atty. Amadeo Fulgado

Beneath its green foliage, in whatever weather, passed vestments of different hues ranging from the 'soaked-in-sweat' attires of the newly-weds to the used, freshly-ironed, 'barongs' of the departed. It was a mute witness to both 'welcomes' and 'goodbyes,' as laughters and sorrows alternate seeking comfort under its wings like a child seeking warmth from a loving mother. For we were children then, opting to remain children still, in our fondest wish to relive and nourish the beautiful story of its legacy.

"...takip-mata, 'harap sa akasya, at bilang ng sampu...," the church patio with wild grass and overgrown ornamental plants was the children's, natural playground as it was, for shy lovers of old, a dating place:"...kabilugan mamaya, hihintayin kita, hane?...!"

On many occasions, it was an ideal meeting place, of whatever kind - political, social, religious - providing energizing shades in a hot, humid afternoon. Until tragedy struck.

"...wala na yatang bagong dahon dito sa isang puno ng akasya, Father...," observed a church goer. For months now, Father Noeh Elnar, the Tanay Parish Priest, had the same observation preferring, however, to withhold comment while hoping still to see 'greenshoots' as days passed. But the greening leaves of the other acacia tree highlighted the critical state of ill health that the now bald acacia tree was undergoing. Without doubt, opinions from tree experts became indispensable to provide directions and, yes, cure.

A team of experts from the College of Forestry and Natural Resources of the University of the Philippines, Los Baños (UPLB) performed tree surgeries and other procedures for a six-month period, to no avail. Only one of the two acacia trees was saved. "...despite the chemicals, nutrients and vitamins, fungi have already grown, a sign that the tree's cells have already weakened and there's no indication that the tree would have survived," explained Dr. Nelson Pampolina, an Environmental Biologist who headed the team. It was the end of the journey for the poor acacia tree. Or was it?

Los Baños, aside from its productive green fields and well-known advances in agricultural research, is also a veritable hub of noted Filipino wood carvers. Feeling the town people's grief on the loss of their cherished tree, Dr. Pampolina suggested a much- appreciated alternative: conservation. He recruited the petite Yvette Co, 39, a visual artist based in Los Baños who, together with artist Roel Lazaro from Kalayaan and Frank Gajo from Paete, all from Laguna province, designed the 13-foot tall sculpture of the Virgin Mary appearing before San Ildefonso de Toledo, the Tanay Patron Saint. "It was science, art and culture, and faith," quipped Dr. Pampolina. As it happened, five more wood carvers from Kalayan, Laguna, was tapped for the project.

Working non-stop, in only three (3) months, the lifeless acacia tree underwent a veritable transformation. No longer does it provide shade; it now showered hope and faith evoking the same protective arms, the same warm embrace, the same feeling of love that, for centuries, served Tanayans from cradle to the grave. It will still be there in the same old place where history, unspoken and unwritten, witnessed hugs, kisses, and passions in the silence of the full moon at a time of pristine and everlasting love. This and the memories that we weave are ours to share, the exquisite, ennobling pride of our town, our most beloved heirloom...!!

- Atty. A. R. Fulgado