Surigao

Variety of Elemental's

The mountains and sprawling wilderness of Surigao, Eastern Mindanao, stretches in some parts from the seas up into towering mountains, and are said by locals to be alive with a wide variety of elementals. Mountain trekkers should keep an eye open for the tikbalang, or demon horse, or a patch-worked like being, with a horse’s head, the body of a human, but the feet of the horse, like a centaur. It is known for causing travelers to lose their way in mountainous or forested areas. Thinking of swimming in that refreshing looking creek or lake? Just beware of the balonawa, a giant fish with a red tongue and shark like S u r i g a o teeth, and uh…wings, that enable it to fly.

Its Darwinism had gone pear-shaped. While the mysterious creatures of the forests don’t have regular visiting hours, dedicated explorers can check any one of the innumerable barangays (villages) in the rugged mountains that rise up from the coast, all the way from Surigao City down to Bislig. Ask around, and you are almost guaranteed to hear a few firsthand accounts of close encounters with elementals. Surigao is best reached by air, less than two hours’ flying time from Manila to Surigao City.

Surigao, Eastern Mindanao

Photo and Article Source: Inflight Magazine (Seair)