We bought trees in Talisay, Batangas

Two weeks ago we drove to Talisay, Batangas. We navigated the downhill zigzag via Ligaya Drive in Tagaytay. It was our first time to explore the area looking for trees to buy. We didn’t find clusters of plant nurseries. We only saw a few. We’re not sure if we found the right place. It was difficult to ask for directions because the three instances we stopped to ask, they wanted to ride with us supposedly to bring us to the taniman.
They also set up a fake check point with a rope so vehicles could not pass without stopping. They were soliciting funds for their fiesta. We gave P20.

Itong asawa ko desidido makahanap ng giant mango tree, instant tree. We entered a private road. Walang tao, sya pumasok pa rin. Baka may aso o kaya awayin kami. He got excited when he spotted some big trees.

A—–“Tart, baka private ito, wala namang karatula na plants for sale”.
E—–“Hinde, hayan may tanim oh”.

When he saw the nice lake view, “tart, halika ang ganda dito”. Ako naman eh takot sa aso. sinilip ko lang, aba maganda nga. Parang resort ito.

Walang tao, sisigaw sigaw pa ako “hellllooo, tao pooooo, tao poooo”.
While waiting for someone to show up, I saw big kalamansi trees full of fruits.

Pumitas ako ng ilan, ang bango. Hmmm. I have a plsstic container in the van for garbage but it’s clean so I placed the kalamansi there. I went back and forth.

Ang sarap mamitas ng kalamansi. paghila ko ng bunga, yung citrus scent humahalimuyak. Ang bango.

E—–“Tart, what are you doing?”
A—–“Pumipitas ako. Ang bango tart”.
E—–“That’s stealing already”.
A—–“Di ba bibilhin naman natin ito?”
E—–“Bibilhin ba natin yan? Meron ka na dun kalamansi”.
A—–“Eto malalaki”.

After about half hour, eto na yung may-ari. I felt so guilty I picked 32 pieces of kalamansi.
A—–“Pumitas ho ako ng maraming kalamansi. Ano ho ang ginagawa nyo sa mga bunga?”
Owner—–“Itinitinda ng misis ko sa palengke”.

OMG, lalo akong naguilty. Inumit ko tinda nila.

When Edmund was ordering several mango trees, I told him isama mo na ito sampung kalamansi P1,000 each = P10,000. Dahil sa konsyensa ko. Mas mabuti pa bumili na lang ako sa palengke. Sa sampung taon, hindi ko maubos yang dyes mil sa kahilada (lemonade).

Edmund saw a cluster of araucaria in front of a house along the road, mukhang part time farmer lang. Edmund was the one who got off the van to inquire. P1,200 / tree daw. The next day we went back and I got 20 pieces for P20,000 flat inclusive of delivery. I also bought 3 calachuchi and 3 champagne palms. The owner was very happy, birthday pala nya. Hulog yata kami ng langit. Meron na sya pang blow-out at pamasko. I paid him half and half upon delivery. He delivered the trees in two hours.

Three calachuchi trees from Talisay, P500 each.

The champagne palms I recently bought from Talisay are only P500 each. Mura di ba?
Meron na rin akong binili nyan 3 years ago pero hindi namin makita, ibig sabihin, hindi nya idiniliver. People will grab the very first opportunity to cheat.

I still remember 30 years ago, everyday I drove by Bulacan Gardens along Whiteplains Avenue. They used to have a big champagne tree for P4,500 each. Gustung gusto ko yun kasi ang gandang tingnan but very expensive naman. After 10 years I decided to finally buy one but I bought the smaller one for P2,000 each.

Reminiscing:
A—-“Tart, nung maliit pa si Oyen gustung gusto ko yang champagne tree. Meron sa Bulacan Garden 8,500 yung malaki, 4,500 yung medium. Grabe ang mahal. Tingnan mo ngayon meron ako tatlo pa.
E—-“Mura kasi”.

I saw a very pretty white bougainvillea from another store.
A—-“TArt, ang ganda nito, gusto ko”.
E—-“Bilhin mo na. Damputin na natin”.
A—-“Hindi kasya sa sasakyan”.
E—-“Kasya yan”.

Kasya nga!