The people in Quezon province call it talakatak, while in Nueva Vizcaya, it is simply castanias.
Scientifically named Catanopsis philippinensis and a member of the Fabaceae plant family, the local chestnut tree is similar in taste, color, and shape as that of the European variety (Castanea vulgaris).
Fresh and roasted Philippine castanias used to be readily available in the markets of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya and Quezon during December.
"Not anymore," said Dr. Merilyn Rondolo of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD) based in Los Baños, Laguna.
The continuing decline in the supply of castanias/talakatak in these markets can be attributed to a number of factors, she said.
One is the continuing dependency of local chestnut fruit gatherers on wild trees, aggravated by the deliberate cutting of the trees for different purposes.
Many of the Castanopsis trees are also dying of old age, while others have disappeared due to destructive typhoons and landslides.
"Considering the importance of castanias/talakatak to the rural economy, particularly during December, there is a need to propagate them and donate, distribute or sell their seeds to interested buyers and government gene banks and nurseries," Rondolo said.
She also cited the need to protect those still in the wild with the help of local governments and communities.
"A ‘protected tree’ tag could be placed on a very visible part of the tree," she said.
Moreover, an information campaign on the economic and environmental uses of this species should be launched. Private landowners should be encouraged to plant them in their properties, she added.
Encouragingly, Rondolo reported that a Los Baños plant scientist and hobbyist, Dr. Roberto Coronel, has added castanias/talakatak to his collection of endemic and exotic fruit trees.
Although the local chestnut planting materials were collected in Real, Quezon, they are "feeling at home" in Coronel’s farm in Calauan, Laguna.
"If farmers in Nueva Vizcaya and Quezon would only domesticate talakatak in their farmlots, chestnuts will become readily available again in local markets and a lot of Filipino households could readily afford chestnuts during Christmas," Rondolo said.
"Who does not want to truly experience ‘chestnuts roasting on an open fire,’ as the song goes? We all do, don’t we?" she said.