“Habal” is a Bisaya term which means “the sexual (act) intercourse of animals” wherein the male animal enters the female animal by striding at the female’s back. However, in some areas in Visayas and Mindanao, the term “habal” is not only applicable to animals but to human also. In other words, “habal” literally means “sex”.
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”.
mukhang hazard ang sasakyan na yan
oo nga pero magagaling ata mga drivers at rider ng shuttle na yan
skilled pala hehehehe
nakakabilib namana ang ingqenuity ng mga pinoy.
Only in the Philippines….