Philippines: Day 8 — The Coconut Tree

Everywhere we travel throughout the Philippines we see the majestic coconut tree – known as “The Tree of Life.” Not a single part goes to waste; every part of the tree/fruit is utilized.

From Philippines Photo Album 8

Here are just a few of the local uses:

• The meat
  • An important source of food
  • Used to make coconut oil
• The milk
  • A refreshing and hydrating drink
  • A source of nutrition
  • Used to make vinegar and wine
• The fronds
  • Thatching
  • Woven for goods such as purses and bags
  • Used to make brooms
  • Wrapping for rice cakes
• The trunk
  • Felled and milled into Coco wood
  • This lumber used for house and building construction
• The tree
  • Provides shade
  • Produces oxygen
  • Prevents erosion
• The husks
  • Used for scrubbing surfaces
  • Filling or padding material (e.g. pillows)
• The nut/shell
  • Cut in half used to as a buffing tool (when cut in half with the shell on)
  • Used in native dance (dance that tells the story of working the coconut)
  • Made into ladles, soup bowls, belt buckles, center for ukuleles or dish

Distribution note: 2750 bedkits have been distributed — 2250 more to go! We can’t wait!!!!

Nancy Holt
for the 2007 Philippines Travelling Team