The Enchanted City of Biringan

darthnava (71)in #blog • 7 years ago

I have always heard of this mysterious place since I was a teenager. Provincial Filipinos from Leyte and Samar provinces always talk about it. In the Philippine Province of Samar, the mere mention of “Biringan” stirs up awe, fear, intrigue, knocking on wood and superstitious people making signs of the Cross.

What is Biringan? It is rumored to be an unclear location somewhere between the City of Calbayog and Catarman, Northern Samar, where an enchanted city of otherworldly grandeur is said to exist, not yet visited by ordinary mortals, known only by astonishing folk stories that refuse to die despite the advances in mass media technology these days. Other reports extend its location to as far south as San Jorge, Samar.

(Image source)

Biringan’s suddenly "appear and disappear” notoriety indicates it is not of the usual plane of existence in which we live in. It seems to exist in an other dimension, which explains why its boundaries can extend along with known towns and cities of the island of Samar. On moonless nights, many seafarers have reported seeing a dazzling city of light on the horizon. After a few minutes, though, the city disappears. Obviously, Biringan is unlikely to be shown on any maps or atlas. But specialized (infrared, ultraviolet, radar) satellite mapping photography were reported to show a shining area in the general location of Biringan.

People from Leyte and Samar say Biringan is the legendary home of the Engkantos (fairies/elves/enchanted ones) and half-Engkanto, their half-human progeny. These beings are most likely elementals or earth spirits, as old as when men walked the earth. They are allegedly shapechangers because they have been reported to appear like humans or creatures as they wish. But in human form, their unique physical feature is the lack of the philtrum, the indentation below the nose and above the upper lip.