The balete tree, which is known as the enchanted tree. Why? Because it is believe to be inhabited with other beings such as the white lady , kapre, and is believe to serve as a portal between human worlds and the mystic world of fairies (diwata), gnomes (duwende), etc.

The balete tree is well known in the Philippines, specially in provinces being the "tree" that is the choice for other unseen beings to house themselves into. And news of experiences and sightings of white ladies, and mischivous spirits called engkanto often includes the tree as their home.

This, reminds me back in the Philippines, of the province where I grew up before my dad, my younger brother and I migrated to US. The province is called Oriental Mindoro and the nearby village/town next to our town was named Balete because this town has lots of balete trees. And there's a part of the town near the highway where one could barely see houses, mostly were balete trees. And somehow, when I reach the twilight to evening, riding a   jeepney or multi cub going home from my evening class, it's like a little bit creepy looking in those trees alongside the road, no houses at all, just the tress.

(image of a balete tree above) And yes, those you are seeing are the roots. And like some other trees, balete trees are have, or some of them has a little holes, or caves inside which is creepy and dark, which makes people believe more that a tree is inhabited. And if it is inhabited, don't mess up with it or play around. Full credit for Tochs Thoughts for the image.

The above image only shows mostly the roots, if you want to see more pictures of a balete tree, with the whole tree, you may want to visit Tommy Schultz here on his travel pictures, and scroll down to see his balete tree pictures. One of the best image of balete taken up close.