Let's talk rubber. I have learned when I was younger that rubber comes from plant. We had a rubber plant in front of our house then that produces glue-like sap that when it dries, it resembles an elastic band which you can stretch without breaking. The rubber plant, however, that I am referring to looks like this which hardly resembles the Rubber Tree that I have seen in Kumalarang, Basilan.
After a morning trip in Lamitan, our group headed to the Rubber Plantation in Kumalarang. Riding at the back of a pick-up jeep, it was a smooth ride traveling the Basilan National Highway, then a quick turn on unpaved red-soiled road will lead you through a road enveloped by a canopy of rubber trees. By then, you know that you have reached the Kumalarang Rubber Tree Plantation.
Just a little bit of trivia, it was in Kumalarang Rubber where the Philippines' first commercial rubber plantation—the American Rubber Co. was established. Experimenting with rubber plants started and from then on, vast improvement in the area, including building of roads happened.
Wandering around the area is both relaxing and educational. It is relaxing in a sense that you are surrounded by these tall trees while warm breeze sweep your skin. However, since the area is nestled on a flat plateau, do not expect the coolness of highland Tagaytay or mountainous Baguio.
It is also educational because you will generally have an idea how rubber plantation operates. Almost all of the trees in the area have mini plastic caps in them used to collect latex sap from the trees.
The trunk of the trees are cut or curved in diagonal patterns so that the sap will pass through the cut and into the cup. You won't get a rubber outright but what you'll be getting is thick, milky liquid sap called latex. Processing has to be made to turn it to rubber.
To summarize, this is no ordinary field trip because coming here definitely has its perils. Most don't come to Basilan because of security reasons but whenever you decide to come, you can check out Kumalarang Rubber Plantation where you could both learn about the rubber process as well as enjoy the view that these trees offer.More of Basilan on my next post.
Very interesting post, Oman, as always! And as always, I learn something I didn't know. I would love to see the rubber trees! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I also went to one place in Maguindanao once where rubber was very eminent. Andami nila, and Duratrak gets their tires from there.
ReplyDeleteIncredible shots and what an adventure especially since you are gambling with your life :)
ReplyDeleteI'm giving away some postcards for my 5th anniversary. Come and see.i
Ganun pala yun. Thanks sa info.
ReplyDeletefirst time ko makakita nyan kahapon... Thanks kay Dom and Ludwig at nakarating din ako ng Basilan... hehehe!
ReplyDeleteWe used to have lots of rubber plantation but all these have make way for buildings cause our island is so small. The only rubber trees are found in the zoo or park. I have yet come across any. Maybe next time, I will start looking for it.
ReplyDeleteYou'll know you've entered rubber country when the air smells terrible (like a sewer or something). I wonder why those rubber processing plants emit that kind of smell.
ReplyDeleteAstig! I didn't know there was a rubber plantation in Basilan. Thought it was just one of those 'unsafe' places in PH.
ReplyDeletethanks to you and Dom for sharing this side of Basilan. i understand the thrill of going to a place like Basilan, and i'm sure you took precautions. do you think the risk was well worth it?
ReplyDeletei love how the trees bend down to form a natural canopy over the path below. lovely!
ReplyDeletedo you know the reason why of all plaes sa Basilan pa nilagay ang rubber plantation which is a very lucrative business, at di sa mainland Mindanao where its more peaceful, para sustainable ang project diba? yan ang pinakamalaking tanung ko sa saraili ko.
ReplyDeletehang ganda! love ko yung mga puno s 2nd pic, parang fall lang. sarap mag lakad at mag-emote! hehe ang serene! =)
ReplyDeletesana makapunta din ako sa basilan,dream ko tlga yan. (sana mabasa to ni dom. hehe)
The second pic of lined rubber trees is nice.. it seems so serene and peaceful... I didn't know about this rubber plantation in Basilan. This is a good reveal of Basilan as a place to visit.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the virtual tour. Ang ganda ng shots lalo na yung last photo.
ReplyDeleteLet's talk rubber.
ReplyDeleteiba naiisip ko dyan sa opening statement mo, ah
hehe
I enjoyed this journey with you - and the last picture is just superb!
ReplyDeletenice capture and thoughts here...
ReplyDeletejust bloghoppin':)
Ang ganda ng place. Pwede sa wedding photos.
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ReplyDeleteThis is such an interesting place that not many may want to go into. Thank you for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteIm from Basilan, try nyo po Bisitahin ang SCARBIDCI sa Sta. Clara and LARBECO sa Lamitan. I'm sure you will enjoy to see the rubber plantations and rubber processing.
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