If you’ve spotted the pins for this year’s ALL ABOARD EXPO, you probably noticed five distinct animals: the Bangus, Tarsier, Binturong, Tamaraw, and the majestic Philippine Eagle.
You might be wondering, what’s the story here? Well, the team at Gaming Library, in partnership with AEG and Flatout Games, is absolutely thrilled to bring you the first-ever full local adaptation of the 2022 Spiel des Jahres winner, Cascadia. In fact, our entire Expo theme this year completely revolves around Philippine wildlife and biodiversity.
Where the original Cascadia shone a spotlight on the stunning landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, Kalikasan: Cascadia PH Edition brings that same love to the teeming shores of the Philippines. It’s a beautiful medley of familiar local landscapes and culturally significant wildlife.
Here is a quick look at what’s inside the box, why we chose these incredible species, and how we brought this passion project to life.
Mabuhay! Welcome to the Philippines
Right from the outer box, you’re greeted by a gorgeous backdrop of glistening seas, lush forests, and azure skies. The mighty Philippine Eagle takes center stage on the cover. Eagle-eyed viewers can see Tamaraws grazing in green and yellow fields, a scene that feels right at home in our agricultural country.
Pop open the box, and the Palawan Binturong (or bearcat) is there to charm you into learning the rules. Fun fact: this guy is an absolute team favorite because of how incredibly endearing he looks.
What’s New in the PH Edition?
If you’re already a fan of Cascadia, you’re getting the exact award-winning gameplay you love, just reimagined with a vibrant local soul. Here is how the wildlife has "migrated" to our shores:
| Original Wildlife | Kalikasan PH Wildlife |
| Hawk | Philippine Eagle |
| Elk | Tamaraw |
| Bear | Binturong |
| Fox | Tarsier |
| Salmon | Bangus |
Philippine Eagle
The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is recognized as the largest eagle in the world by wingspan, a dominant hunter in Philippine forests, and has been the country's national bird since 1995. It is primarily dark brown with white underparts, and the feathers around its neck form a mane-like feature. It is known by several names: monkey-eating eagle, agila, and haribon (from hari, meaning ""king,"" and ibon, meaning ""bird""). This environmentally and culturally significant species remains critically endangered to this day.
Tamaraw
The Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) is a species of buffalo endemic to the island of Mindoro in the Philippines, though it is believed to have once been widespread throughout the archipelago based on archaeological findings. Its backward-pointing, V-shaped horns differentiate it from the C-shaped horns of the more common carabao. A tamaraw’s diet primarily consists of grasses, but they also feed on young bamboo shoots. Since 2002, the month of October has been designated as a time to commemorate tamaraw conservation for the people of Mindoro.
Palawan Binturong
The Palawan Binturong (Arctictis binturong whitei), also known as bearcat, is a mammal native to South and Southeast Asian countries. Here in the Philippines, it resides in the islands of Palawan. It has a dense black coat and a bushy tail, which helps them traverse through trees, that is nearly as long as its body. They are notable for having scent glands that produce a popcorn-like musk. Mostly nocturnal and arboreal, binturongs feed on fruits and insects. At present, the Palawan binturong is vulnerable from loss of habitat due to urbanization and deforestation.
Philippine Tarsier
The Philippine Tarsier (Carlito syrichta) is one of the country’s most popular species, found largely on the islands of Bohol, Samar, and Leyte in the Visayas region, as well as the region of Mindanao. It is best known for its round eyes, which are proportionally large compared to its small body. The Philippine tarsier has a history of being sought for trade or kept as pets, despite struggling outside its natural forest habitat. Conservation initiatives and laws have been enacted to protect its population, and ongoing research continues to expand knowledge of this ecotourism icon.
Bangus
The Bangus (Chanos chanos), widely known as milkfish, is a common species of fish in the vast Indo-Pacific region. Its body is typically elongated and silver, with dark-colored fins. Here in the Philippines, three instances of a golden variant have been found, two of which are now being cared for by the country’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The city of Dagupan in the Ilocos region holds an annual Bangus Festival every April.
Breathing Life Into the Project
The Philippines is made up of over 7,600 islands, meaning we have an incredible amount of unique flora and fauna, but we’re also packed with remarkable local talent. We are incredibly proud to have Ferd Torres on the team for this. Hailing from Davao City, Ferd is a brilliant digital artist who uses his work to raise awareness for local biodiversity and amplify conservation efforts. His art truly gives this edition its heartbeat.
The Story Behind the Name
Landing on the title Kalikasan: Cascadia PH Edition was a hard-won victory. We spent weeks going back and forth, trying to find a name that perfectly captured the origin, theme, and advocacy of the game.
In the end, we looked back at where it all started. We realized that the internal codename we lovingly used from day one—Kalikasan (meaning nature, or Mother Earth)—was the perfect fit. We kept Cascadia in the subtitle so veteran players would instantly recognize the gameplay system, and added PH Edition to round it off with a big splash of local pride.
Catch it at the EXPO!
Whether you’ve been playing Cascadia for years or you’re looking to pick it up for the very first time, this special release celebrates one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots.
Kalikasan: Cascadia PH Edition will make its grand debut at the ALL ABOARD EXPO 2026 right here in the Philippines from May 28 - 31, 2026.
Don't want to wait? Secure your copy today! Pre-orders are officially live on the Gaming Library website!
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