Balete Tree in Ilocos Norte is now full of money from tourists who believe it's a wishing tree

- Tourists are flocking to Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte for its "Wishing Tree"

- The tree's trunk and branches are now filled with coins and bills

- The owner of the balete tree said a tourist started the practice

A balete tree along the highway in Barangay Davila in the town of Pasuquin in Ilocos Norte has now become a tourist attraction.

People believe the tree can magically grant wishes or make people lucky.

Because of this, local and foreign tourists have been putting money on the nooks and crannies of the tree as offering.

Some of the bills hanging on the tree are foreign money.

ABS-CBN News found out through Jolly Manzano, the owner of the restaurant beside the balete tree, that a returning overseas Filipino worker was the first person to put money on the tree.

Manzano said it started four months ago. The OFW believed balete trees are lucky.

Local residents started talking about what happened and soon, more people began putting their money on the tree.

Manzano added that nobody dared to take money from the tree for fear that they will become unlucky.

Balete trees are traditionally regarded in Filipino folklore as enchanted. It is believed that mythical creatures live in these trees.

Source: KAMI.com.gh