In the province of Samar, a local legend persists about a spectral presence. Over many generations, tales have circulated regarding Biringan City, an ethereal realm inhabited by engkantos. If you don’t know what engkantos are, Engkantos are mythical and supernatural beings in Filipino folklore, often associated with enchanted forests and natural phenomena.
However, Biringan differs markedly from the enchanting palaces or mythical citadels akin to places like Lothlorien. Instead, it resembles an enigmatic metropolis, adorned with towering spires and cathedrals that defy conventional skyscrapers, more of like Kingdom of Wakanda, isn’t it?
Witnesses to this realm describe it as a site of unparalleled grandeur and architectural splendor, surpassing even megacities such as New York or Hong Kong. It is both urban and otherworldly, where individuals are enticed by ethereal fairies and fair-skinned beings, only to vanish into the unknown forever.
Where is Biringan City?
The existence and precise whereabouts of Biringan City remain a puzzle.
Samar, situated in the eastern Visayas within the central Philippines, is the third-largest island in the archipelago and ranks as the seventh most populous. It is divided into three distinct provinces: Samar, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar.
However, the city’s location remains a matter of contention, with variations arising from individual accounts, expert opinions, documents, sighting records, and personal experiences.
Through extensive research and an array of anecdotal narratives, a prevailing theory places Biringan City somewhere betwixt Calbayog City and Cataman in Samar.
Nevertheless, the precise coordinates continue to elude us, perhaps by design. This obscurity is maintained for good reason, as locals dare not venture too far into the shadows of the night, nor utter its name aloud, owing to the believed malevolent nature of the city’s spectral denizens.
How to Get There?
Filipino horror and urban legends often involve being in the wrong place at the wrong time, regardless of one’s character, provoking supernatural consequences. Some eerie scenarios include drivers caught in endless loops on a mysterious road, young women lured or abducted by inhabitants of a hidden city, fishermen unknowingly operating above this submerged city, and businessmen deceived by city dwellers in disguise.
These accounts come from those taken or escaping, but only a few “chosen ones” are drawn to the city, believed to be concealed by magic and accessible through mystical trees, like the Balete tree. Seven such portals are said to exist, one rumored near Pagsanghan Falls, linking our world to theirs.
If You’re the Chosen One and Was Able to Get There, Who and What Should You Expect?
The Engkantos that dwell inside the mysterious city are said to be living in cathedral-like buildings, with dusk skies that are seemingly similar to ours, flora and fauna that await to be discovered, and riches that are beyond real-world comprehension. And though these materialistic ideas pretty much created a perfectly utopian-like city, when one enters the city, accidentally or forcibly, you have to trust no one and have to get out immediately.
One major rule to follow if you do end up inside the city is to never, ever eat anything in the city or anything the inhabitants may offer, no matter how tempting it may be. The inhabitants of Biringan may offer you black-colored food.
Sometimes, you may also have to choose between black-colored food or white-colored food. It can also vary, as they can offer any sort of food: those made in gold, those delicious enough to be seen as something from the human world, and those that are just plain unrecognizable yet saliva-inducing. They will appear in front of you in human-like forms as they offer you trinkets, riches, and food that will severely tempt you to stay with them. But no matter what do, never, ever eat or accept anything while inside their city.
What happens if you do?
Your spirit will be trapped in there forever. Your physical body may be left somewhere in the real world, lying as if it’s in a state of everlasting coma or worse.
If you do manage to avoid these offers, memorized and followed follow other rules, and managed to get out safely, you’ll find yourself awake in the real world days, weeks, months, or even years from being asleep along with nothing but a memory of the said city. Just imagine: days within their city would be months or years in the real world.
Myth’s Possible Origin
The belief in Biringan City’s existence can be viewed through various lenses, considering both local accounts and potential explanations for the alleged sightings and mysterious disappearances attributed to the phantom city.
Many reports of Biringan City sightings originate from fisherfolk and seafarers who describe encountering a brilliantly lit city while fishing at night. A plausible scientific explanation for such sightings is the atmospheric phenomenon known as light pillars.
Light pillars create vertical columns of light above the horizon, often appearing surreal and otherworldly. However, they are entirely natural and occur when light interacts with ice crystals in the atmosphere, generating these vertical halos of light. Notably, similar phenomena have been observed in the Philippines, with some mistaking them for extraterrestrial activity.
Regarding the disappearances linked to Biringan City, people may resort to supernatural explanations when faced with the unknown or when seeking closure. This parallels cases like the Bermuda Triangle, where unexplained disappearances have been associated with paranormal phenomena, even though natural explanations may suffice.
Ultimately, whether Biringan City is real or not, the beliefs and cultural significance surrounding it are an integral part of Philippine folklore and should be treated with respect. These beliefs reflect the richness of Filipino culture and traditions, emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity and understanding.
Paranormal Claims
Only a few individuals assert having glimpsed the elusive Biringan City, often describing it as a “dazzling city of light” visible briefly on moonless nights, although many of these accounts are associated with tales of demon possessions.
Furthermore, there were reports of satellite imagery, purportedly from a Japanese company, revealing brightly illuminated regions in the area, leading to speculation about the presence of valuable gold and uranium deposits. Consequently, the Japanese initiated a project in the town of San Jorge but encountered a series of unexplained accidents and mishaps, compelling them to cease operations and ultimately abandon the project to avert bankruptcy and mitigate their losses.
As we wrap up our journey through the enigmatic tales of the Philippines’ own Wakanda, Biringan City, one question remains tantalizingly unanswered: “Where is Biringan City?” This mythical city, shrouded in mystery and folklore, captivates the imagination with its advanced technology and invisible realm, echoing the marvels of Wakanda. For those intrigued by the mysteries of Biringan and its spectral inhabitants, we invite you to dive deeper into its lore.
Don’t miss out on this captivating journey—watch our YouTube video about Biringan City and decide for yourself if this phantom city is a myth or a hidden reality waiting to be discovered.
