Biringan City is a mythical city said to lie invisibly between the municipalities of Gandara, Tarangnan, and Pagsanghan in the province of Samar, Philippines. Local tradition claims that the people of Biringan are made up of magical creatures called engkanto, who are shapechangers that can assume human form and are frequently characterized as having no philtrum.
A City Hidden in Plain Sight
Like New York or Hong Kong, Biringan City is characterized as an ultramodern city with sleek, jet black architecture and cutting edge technology. Fishermen at sea frequently see it as a gorgeous metropolis with huge buildings and amazing lights but it is supposed to be visible only to those who are welcomed into the city.
Encantos and Disappearing Acts
Tales speak of strangers in immaculate clothing driving spotless cars in rural Samar only to vanish without a trace. These mysterious visitors are believed to be Biringan’s residents that are crossing in our world to trade, recruit, or simply wander. Encounters often leave witnesses unsettled seeing them as someone bringing gifts and other times with misfortune.
Cultural Significance
The name “Biringan” is derived from the Waray language, meaning “hanapan ng mga nawawala,” or “where one finds the lost.” This reflects the city’s association with the supernatural and its role in local folklore as a place where the lost and the dead may reside.
Biringan City remains one of the most mysterious and enduring legends in Philippine folklore. Its tales of an invisible, enchanted metropolis continue to captivate the imagination, blending elements of mystery, spirituality, and the supernatural.
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