Biringan

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Biringan is a mythical city said to lie invisibly between the municipalities of Gandara and Pagsanghan in the province of Samar, Philippines. Described as ultramodern, engkantos ("enchanted beings") populate the city. Seven portals are said to be scattered across Samar. A few of people have claimed to have seen the city, with folk stories stating that the witnesses have been the victims of demon possessions. There was a legend that a satellite image showed large gold deposits in the alleged area near Biringan, leading the Japanese to create mining efforts in the area which led to accidents. Biringan is well known over Samar with numerous movies based around the mythical city.

Contents

Legend

Ph locator samar pagsanghan.png
Ph locator samar gandara.png
The location maps of the municipalities of Pangsanghan and Gandara, two suspected places where Biringan is located.

The ultramodern city [1] is said to be located in the province of Samar specifically near Gandara and Pagsanghan. According to the local folklore, the population of Biringan comprises supernatural beings: the engkanto ("enchanted beings"), and their progeny with humans. [2] The engkanto are described as shapechangers who can take human form. In their human form, they are described as lacking a philtrum. [3] The name itself, Biringan, originates from "Hanapan ng mga nawawala" (transl. The place where the lost are found) in the local Waray language. [4] The city is also alleged to contain gold. [5] According to folklore, there are seven portals leading to the city that are scattered across Samar, one of which is said to be located at an old tree in the campus of the Northwest Samar State University in Calbayog. [6] The city was described by the people who have seen it as having advanced architecture surpassing New York City and Hong Kong. The only way to access the city according to a study by students of the Samar State University is to "be lost". [7] Few people claim to have seen the city. Some seafarers have claimed to have seen a "dazzling city of light" on moonless nights, lasting a few minutes. [2] According to folk stories, most of the people who claim to have seen the city have been the victims of demon possessions. [8]

In a study conducted by students at the Samar State University, four themes were observed from these paranormal claims. The first claim was about a "perfect dwelling place" was about the alleged "friendly inhabitants", everyday celebration, wealth, and a promise of visiting lost loved ones. The "deception" claim was about accepting healing in exchange for loved ones and people from Biringan tricking outsiders to stay in the city forever. The "protection" claim was from no alleged COVID-19 casualties and protection from the local New People's Army. The last claim pertaining to "healing" had the reported ability to "bring a dead person back to life". [9]

History and cultural impact

Folklore about the city began circulating in the 1960s as there was a legend surrounding an American shipment for expensive construction materials which was allegedly addressed to Biringan, confusing the staff. [4] There was a legend that a Japanese company believed that there were rich deposits of gold and uranium in the area through satellite images. They began work immediately, setting up a large work site in the town of San Jorge, but accidents plagued the project from the start, forcing the company to shut down operations and abandon the project to avoid bankruptcy and cut their losses. [4] The city was featured on the Mel & Joey talk show with a story from an alleged witness. When the internet became popular, the myth spread there as people who claimed to be from Biringan commented in posts related to the mythical city. [4]

Biringan is well known in Samar and has been featured in international media stories. [10] The 2009 Filipino supernatural horror film T2 , directed by Samar native Chito S. Roño, is loosely based on the legend of Biringan. [6] The 2018 Filipino film Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus by Dwein Baltazar discusses a person attempting to walk to Biringan in search of his mother. [11] Swipe Right To Disappear, a film discussing Biringan from Cebu was featured in the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival. [12] An upcoming film about Biringan was also announced by Mentorque Productions in 2024. [13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Borrinaga 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Know the invisible Biringan City in Philippines (Page 1)". India TV. 6 July 2014.
  3. ↑ "Know the invisible Biringan City in Philippines (Page 3)". India TV. 6 July 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Tan, Yvette (24 July 2025). "City of the Lost". Grid Magazine. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  5. ↑ "Here's a story to remind you that not everything that glitters is gold". GMA News Online. 6 July 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  6. 1 2 Lance Lim (3 November 2021). "The Wakanda of Samar: The mythical city of Biringan". Rappler. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  7. ↑ Poe et al. 2025, p. 187.
  8. ↑ "Know the invisible Biringan City in Philippines (Page 2)". India TV. 26 July 2014.
  9. ↑ Poe et al. 2025, p. 190.
  10. ↑ Poe et al. 2025, p. 188.
  11. ↑ Arcellana, Juaniyo (24 August 2018). "There are no maps to Biringan, a minority report". The Philippine Star . Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  12. ↑ "Cebu students' 'Swipe Right to Disappear' makes it to MMFF short films semifinals list". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  13. ↑ Severo, Jan Milo (12 March 2024). "'Mallari' producer announces 'Biringan' movie". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 3 November 2024.

Bibliography

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