DAO MASSACRE. (Reminiscing the Times We Shared)

It is a sad sad sight to see that this lone Dao tree inside a private lot near the intersection of Bay going to Calauan, Laguna had been chopped down. I only discovered this incident about 1 month ago, when I passed this area and noticed that the mature tree that I had been checking out to admire was missing. The tree that I used to admire so dearly was fenced by a property wall and the gate to the property. And so I usually see the mid portion up to the top from the distance of the road as I drove by the area. Now it is gone!

I can still remember the day Dao (Dracontomelon dao) and I met. It was a typical afternoon of December of 2007 that I decided to stop by this property to take a closer look at the unknown tree that has caught my attention. I stopped by the roadside and went to the gate. Seeing that the gate was open and nobody was answering to my constant call and knocking, I entered to investigate if there was anybody that I can find...... The chained dog was already barking as of this time. Soon somebody came out of the door from the small dilapidated house just beyond. I asked the old lady what kind of tree it was, but she didn't know anything about it. I asked if i could come in to inspect the tree and so she humbly obliged.

This tree that stood near the gate was unique in it's own right. It was the first time that I've seen anything of it's kind and deep in my heart I knew that it is native to our country.

I visited this particular tree every now and then for months and years even, until someone from the tenants of the house was able to give me a name....... "Dao ang tawag diyan", the man replied to me. We went to where the tree was standing and to my surprise, a few small rounded yellow fruits were scattered on the gound.