Practically every household in the provinces in Luzon (northernmost region of the country) has at least one bolo. The bolo is mainly an agricultural tool, however Filipinos use them for a variety of tasks in & around the house. I personally used them to chop lechon (roasted whole pig), clear shrubs/small trees in the province & cut open coconuts. Sad to say, I have witnessed a number of times the bolo being used out in the streets by men going berserk (juramentado). In the Philippines, there are different bolo shapes & sizes, depending on it's use & the area where it was made. Historically it was also used as a weapon by the KKK during the Spanish era.
The Barong was made as a weapon - an actual sword used in war. I have no indepth knowledge as to historically accounts of it's use, however, it is in fact a weapon of warriors in the Southern Philippines, particularly Mindanao.
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