The shield is made of hardwood and is decorated with intricate carvings and an elaborate rattan binding on the front.
Its base is composed of rattan wood which is strengthened by the application of resin coating that turned rock-hard upon drying.
In the Panay Bukidnon folk epic Hinilawod, the heroes in the story are depicted rigorously training, carrying, and fighting with the kalasag.
The three upper prongs are designed to be thrust unto an enemy's legs and are quickly twisted to trip them; while the two lower prongs are designed to fit over the neck of a downed enemy for decapitation with a head axe or a bolo.
Various kinds of kalasag are also represented in the provincial flags of Bukidnon, Maguindanao, and Mountain Province.