At least three houses and a truck were damaged after a huge tree, which was at least 100 years old, fell in Barangay Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro afternoon on Sunday, August 4, 2024.

No one was hurt as people in the area were quick to run away upon seeing the tree fall slowly.

“Kanang tindahan naa mana’y tao nanglayat na lang na sila kay nag-inanay man og kahagsa. Tapos may gani ang bongo ra ang naigo nakatuko siya kay kung wala siya nakatuko ang kaning duha ka poste matumba gyud,” Carlys Obeñita, one of the residents, said.

The tree stood in the compound of the Domdom family. The family said they did not cut the tree for fear that supernatural elements may have lived there and may be disturbed.

“Bangko namo nga dako giguyod gyud gibundak tinuod gyud na samtang gakaon katung ig-agaw namo nga isa,” Dexter Domdom said.

The family said they have observed lately that the roots of the tree have already deteriorated but they did not expect that it would fall soon.

“Maghulat rami og unsay maayom-ayom ani ug sa mabilin kay dako pa kayo nga trabaho ni ba,” Domdom added.

Personnel of the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) responded to the area to remove the tree.

“Kaning wire mas maayo nga among mabangilan diha para ang wire dili siya mubigay kay kung pagputol namo ani dapit sa bongo ang tanang load ani tua na sa wire,” USAR Oro Rescue 911 Team Leader, John Rey Gonida, said.