Now, “habal-habal” is the term used to call the motorcycle taxi because the driver and the passengers are in “habal” (animal) position. The normal motorcycle or motorbike is enough only for a passenger and a driver. But the “habal-habal” motorcycle can carry 2 to 8 passengers.

In some part of Mindanao, the “habal-habal” motorcycle has been installed with the wooden wings as shown in the photo below:

In general, it is still called “habal-habal” motorcycle, but some parts of the province of Surigao del sur call it “shuttle” or “space shuttle”.

Habal-habal is what we call a motorcycle with extended seat because the passengers along with the driver sit in a way like two dogs having “Habal”. Commonly a motorcycle can carry a passenger only and a driver. But the habal-habal can carry more than two passengers up to 13 passengers.

It can carry 13 passengers? Yes! Mostly in Mindanao areas, habal-habal has wings or extension seats on the left and right side of the motorcycle, just like what is shown below.

click the image to enlarge

This photo was taken on June 26, 2006, during my visit to the town of Bayabas in Surigao del Sur. Notice the wings of this motorcycle. Each of these wings can carry up to 4 passengers. On the main seat of the motorcycle can carry 3 passengers and 1 driver. And the gasoline tank of the motorcycle can still carry only 1 passenger. So, all-in-all, there are 13 passengers that this habal-habal can carry with.