Money continues to bloom on Ilocos ‘wishing tree’

Money doesn't grow on trees, but one tree in Ilocos Norte is abloom with cash.

Tourists continue to stop by the "wishing tree," a balete along the national highway in sitio Dirique, Barangay Davila in the town of Pasuquin.

ATM cards, paper money and coins fill the tree's crevices and are wedged between the trunk and the hanging roots.

Many of the visitors come from other countries and leave bills of various currencies tied to the branches, in the belief that leaving money there would lead to good luck.

The practice is a relatively new one, having been ongoing for only more than a year. It is also believed that nobody takes the money left behind, perhaps due to superstitious fear that bad luck may befall them if they do.

In a report on State of the Nation with Jessica Soho last December, the tree's owner, Yolly Manzano, said that a tourist started the tradition.

"May turista pong nagpunta dito, guest namin, then nung bumaba sila naglagay na po sila agad doon. Then tinanong namin kung bakit. Sabi nila may paniwala daw po sila na wishing tree daw po itong balete," she said.

The number of bills tied to the tree has clearly grown since the report aired.

With whatever belief or superstition people hold on to, they stop by this tree by the road and make a wish.

Would you leave money on a tree? — BM, GMA News