[3] It is located on the border to major cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, and between Marawi and Malaybalay, the provincial capital.

The place, was traversed by a zigzagging creek swollen with clear sparkling water where on its banks grew in abundance wild Malayan trees called “Balangas” (now popularly known as Rambutan – Nephelium lappaceum of the Family: Sapindaceae).

The trees were full of attractive bloody red but juicy and delicious fruits, clustered in their very green foliages.

Because of fanatical attachment of this tribe to these balangas trees, they decided to name their settlement “Kabalangasan” - a very typical way of simply affixing prefixes.

Because of these, hill tribes in Dagundalahon side renamed “Kabalangasan” to Talakag, the etymology of which came from the Visayan dialect- LAKAG meaning "to go after” or “follow in pursuit” and the prefix “TA” denoting “fondness in doing such”.

In the late 16th century, the seat of the highland government was established in Kinolosanglay at Tikalaan headed by Datu Man-utob, a wise and brave ruler.

Thus, in response to the request of the Muslims who were already well established in Maguindanao, Lanao, Sulu and Tagoloan, Datu Man-utob acceded to the call for peace among the rulers of Mindanao.

To mark this momentous event in history, a durian tree (Durio zibethinus – Bombacaceae) which has until very recently succumbed to old age and a species of rattan were planted and a gold cross, porcelain jars, a Koran, needles and some other items that were soaked in carabao blood were buried right on top of the spot where the treaty was held.

Not long after the peace treaty in Tikalaan, the Spaniards came to Cagayan de Oro to establish their seat of government.

The American regime encouraged the people to participate in running the government thus, in 1904 Man Sayagnon was appointed 1st Mayor of Talakag.

On June 28 the Japanese-Korean force left Talakag and the guerrillas moved back into town and re-established their headquarters there.