Soon they ordered that candles and music be brought,
And a crucifix holy was what they next sought;
And when all was ready they closed round the tree,
While they prayed to the true God to set the girl free.

They lighted the candles and then the band played,
And Juanita’s mother, who was not afraid,
Advanced with the crucifix held in her hand,
And tapped with the cross on the evil tree grand.

Then a roar shook the forest and chilled all their hearts,
And the awful Balete split into two parts;
Then they saw in the center, as each big half fell,
Their darling Juanita all smiling and well.

She ran from the tree to her fond mother dear,
While the band played and every one gave a loud cheer;
Then back to the pueblo they danced in delight,
And kept up their singing through all the long night.

Still there to this day lies the Balete tree,
But no more do the people that pass say “Tabi.” 
And the spirit no more can molest any man,
For God has more power than the fierce Tic-balan.

The Anting-Anting of Manuelito

The Anting-Anting is a stone or other small object covered with cabalistic inscriptions.  It is worn around the neck, and is supposed to render its owner impervious to knife or bullet.  Many are wearing these charms, especially the Tulisanes or outlaws.  The Anting-Anting must not be confused, however, with the scapular, a purely religious symbol worn by a great number of the Christian Filipinos.

Many of the older Filipinos remember Manuelito, the great Tulisane, who, more than fifty years ago, kept all the Laguna de Bai district in a state of fear.  His robber band was well organized and obeyed his slightest wish.  He had many boats on the lake and many hiding places in the mountains, and throughout the country there was no villager who did not fear to oppose him, or who would refuse to help him in any way when required to do so.

In vain the Guardia Civil hunted him.  Many times they surrounded the band, but Manuelito always escaped.  Many shots were fired at him, but he was never hit; and once, when he was cut off from his men and surrounded, he broke through the line, and though fifty bullets whistled around him he did not receive a scratch.

The officers of the Guardia Civil blamed their men for the bad marksmanship that allowed Manuelito to escape.  They told all the people that it should never occur again, and promised that the next fight should end in the death of the outlaw.  The people, however, did not believe that Manuelito could be killed, for he wore on his breast a famous Anting-Anting that he had received from Mangagauay, the giver of life and death.

This charm was a stone covered with mysterious signs.  It was wrapped in silk and hung by a string from the robber’s neck, and even if a gun were fired within a few feet of him the Anting-Anting was sure to turn the bullet in another direction.  It was this charm that always saved him from the Guardia Civil.