Just like the world over, the Philippines is in no short supply of oral traditions. Fables and stories (knowledge) handed down from generation to generation, which describes and depicts long held beliefs of ancestors, some quite unique to particular ethnic groups and indigenous tribes, is respected as folklore. I was first exposed to a plethora of these feared fables when I first lived in Guam, and honestly, some are actually quite convincing. Usually transmitted by word of mouth, these oral traditions are very common and still exist throughout the Philippines.
I recently learned of one of these more regional beliefs that has been well preserved by the people of Samar, Philippines, and is simply known as “Biringan”. The following is an excerpt of a reprint I found, from the Library of Most Controversial Files:
In the Province of Samar, the mention of “Biringan” evokes awe, fear, intrigue, knocking on wood, and innumerable signs of the Cross. What is Biringan? It is reportedly an undefined location somewhere between Calbayog City and Catarman, Northern Samar, where a mythic city(ies) of indescribable grandeur is/are said to exist, unvisited by ordinary mortals, known only by magnificent folk stories that refuse to die despite the advent of television and the internet. Other reports extend its area to as far south as San Jorge, Samar.
Biringan’s “now-you-see-it, now-you-don’t” quality indicates it is not of the usual land and water terrain in which we live in. It seems to exist in a different dimension, which explains why its boundaries can overlap with known towns and cities of Samar island. On moonless nights, seafarers aplenty have reported seeing a dazzling city of light.
In a few minutes, though, the manifestation is no longer visible. Obviously, Biringan is not likely to be shown on any map or atlas. But specialized (infrared, ultraviolet, etc.) satellite mapping photography have reportedly turned up a shining area in the reported general location of Biringan. They say Biringan is the legendary home of the encantos (enchanted ones) and half-encanto, half-human progeny. The encantos are most likely elementals, as old as the mountains and rivers in the area. They are apparently shape changers because they have been reported to appear in whatever form they wish, human or not. But in human form, their distinguishing characteristic is the lack of the philtrum, the indentation below the noseand above the upperlip.
One fabled story goes as follows: Once upon a time, a bus was plying the night route from Catbalogan City to Tacloban City. Somewhere halfway, when the bus had been emptied of its passengers, the driver and conductor stopped to pick up two young lady passengers. Their stated destination was quite off the main route but the driver consented because the two had offered triple the usual fare. When the two mysterious passengers had alighted, and the driver turned the bus around to get back on the highway. But, to his utter bewilderment, he could no longer distinguish the dirt road they had taken just moments ago. Conceding that they were lost, they decided to spend the night at that very spot. At dawn the next day, they were confounded when they found themselves and the bus at a desolate mountain top. A large tow truck had to be sent through rough mountain trails just to bring the bus back to civilization.
What this phenomenom is purported to be or how it achieves the many outcomes that are taled is not fully understood and is difficult to understand what it is that is actually feared! Does it eat you? Or does it turn you into a toad? Or, does it just perform some kind of magical transport via some portal which lands you unknowingly on some mountain top in the middle of the night.
In N. America, we all establish our fears and beliefs as young children at a very early age, usually with the introduction of the “boogeyman”. As we age, we become exposed to the many mysterious tales from the dark side as handed down by generations – all delivered to us during the most opportune moments – from slumber parties to campfire circles in the night – leaving us all with imaginations gone wild. Usually though by the time we reach the age of 20, these oral traditions fade along with the fears that they once generated. Except for those few who are still scared of the dark, and they can’t tell you exactly what it is they’re afraid of!
But in the Philippines, the folklore continues and seemingly without expiration dates or age limits. All filled with big and bad frightening creatures guaranteed to cause fear, terror, and panic among the populace. Check back again soon when I continue the topic of Philippine folklore and the discussion of everything from Aswangs to Wak-Waks. And until then, stay out of the jungle and don’t forget to keep the lights on!
Continue to Philippine Folklore – Part II
Ok lang pumunta siguro sa Biringan basta may wifi sila =))
@mervz: nakakatakot ngunit gusto mo paring puntahan! ehehe
@cille: it is really interesting!
@villahermosa: hwow…
Often times people will ask why they can’t see Biringan, it does exist but spells are being chanted for us to remain hidden from the prying eyes of those who wanted to exploit our land. Now the manifestation of our place in it’s physical form is what we call Kalinata or changing of the guardians of our portals. In this brief moment of time we praise and sing in the name of Mukto that’s why most of the time often overhears chants.
We invite mortals from your dimension not necessary pure of heart like those fairy tales but people whom we think can help us in some ways and return we reward them with prosper life, but before we return them we say a chant that would have clear their recollection of the place. Hours in our place could mean days in your time…
We appreciate being a folklore in your world and same as you we are very curious how advance your beings are. In our place we don’t reject technology but it is being highly discouraged. We don’t use your so called electricity for we are given by Mukto the greatest energy of all, the air around us and the sun as called in your world. Electricity is free only if it was not privatized by selected fews.
This is against our rules to contact people in this way but I hold a good position in my Amaam’s (father) land that’s why I can pretty much get away with everything.
Be very aware of your nature she is in her weakest, death and destruction were whispered to us by Mukto. I can only weep and can’t do anything… Our so called knowledge in magic is only as good as the oxygen you breathe in your world. our clan prays for all of you for it is inevitable the fate of your world have been long decided by you when you have raped and abused your mother. I hope you will all be saved and changing your ways now is too late.
Good day! Thanks for keeping us alive in simple ways like this!
“I hope you will all be saved and changing your ways now is too late.”
in fairness, she/he has good intentions.. galing mo dude! even inhabitants from another dimension are posting on your wall ^_^
Some Biringans like me have the privilege to cross in your world and some of our clans even study in your schools for us to learn more about you. We co-exist in this so-called universe one way or another.
Long before anything about technology, we already are in contact with some of the people in your world, teaching them of the right ways and how to achieve a nirvana like society. Unfortunately the nature of some humans get in the way, “Greed”. We have given them portion of our land but what have they done? Quarried for minerals, chopped down the trees and so on all for money. We so much desire to live with humans but this incident made us aware that you all are not yet ready to embrace our ways.
We don’t have the principle of money here and we even don’t understand why it should be invented in the first place. Everything is made for us and given to us for free and it is right to pay it forward to our co brothers/sisters.
Pray to your so-called God’s ask forgiveness from Mukto or mother nature for she is in grief and in her weakness. Changing your ways definitely is too late but you can all delay and buy yourself some more time if you could only understand how to love and see the miracles of what Gaea has provided you. I am just one voice and better yet have no power to persuade you on how to stop raping mother nature.
Some people will laugh or even judge me but I am here to somehow help you to prevent tears of yours from falling when she gives up fighting for all of you. I wish we can do wonders but we simply can’t, for there are a lot of things going on behind the curtain.
And to all readers of this site, please wake up from your wrong doings, love your brothers/sisters and your family while you can. Cherish every second and every breath you breathe for the time is near. Hold you children closer than before make them feel that they are loved, honor and respect your parents give them the love that they deserve. I don’t know how much longer I can in contact with you before some of my clan will find this and be given a sanction for doing such.
I wish I can all tell you everything we know but that will only bring panic to all of you. But never stop to HOPE for this will always be that one word that can make a difference for all of you!!!
Good day everyone!
@christian: sobra pa’s creepy hahaha
@grasya: o nga, good intention and message naman, and world peace!
@ginocanoy: naa silay internet brad, Smartbro gani gamit
@elal: na shock-ed jud ko first nakong basa ani hahaha
@aleah: pati taga ibang dimension na intriga sa Lakbay Diva! bwahahaha
MUKTO: http://mukto-mona.com/wordpress/?page_id=2
KALINATA: http://kalinata.net/
Ergo: New age, free-thinkers…
Yun lang.
But our world is not a dream world or paradise we encounter some problems as you humans do but the difference is we are one in resolving conflicts.
All I can say is that we are all made up of the same structure, sure we can wear or change our looks when we cross in your world but we only wear one mask throughout it’s not that we change as we please and it is only a spell to enchant you to see us like an ordinary people.
I have mortal friends but I make it sure to put boundaries on any information they have to know about me. Their knowledge of me is limited to this world but the friendship is beyond comprehension. We are loyal friends but there are some things that need to be kept in the closet for their own good as well.
FB is no use for me, I had friendster once but my idiotic ways lead to series of unfortunate events to me so I rather be behind the shadows, and they know of me as some poor guy from a province so it is only proper for me deny such social networking.
Like what I said I am not here to impose and persuade what you should and shouldn’t believe in…
We are given the pass to cross to your world but in human time we are only privilege to stay for 35 something years cause we grow old very very slow and that would bring curiousity to most of my friends, how I stayed young looking while they worry about lines on their faces; and will be allowed to be back again in the proper time. I have been around longer than you think I have seen how this country changed its ways.
Name to us is very sacred it is not like we can use pseudo names cause we simply can’t and for some reason this is a mockery to my family to do so and a Law which shouldn’t be broken.
WE respect every aspect of our law beyond our lives I guess that’s why we continue to be of existence, living in harmony and one with Mukto…
Faith is the substance of what we hope for and evidence of things not seen once Plato said… I have not here to convert you or anyone to be a believer.
Have a good day!
There are humans who lived amongst us in our world and it is totally of their free will to cross over but they can never return in human form for like what I said our sense of time differs from you, so once they cross over as their form the Law of nature and aging will take it’s toll on them within a blink of an eye.
The emptiness and wonder you seek? the answer has always been with you all the time. Just mere believing on something or on us make us real as the wind rushing through your hair, we or you may not be able to see it but the feeling that embraces you as it whisper in your ears makes it alive.
Same as faith and to accept what is real and what is not will always be subjective to the person and his/her belief. It may not be universal truth to all but if your heart feels and believe in it then I would say it does exist!
we do eat foods as well but we say our prayers to be thankful to Mukto who gives us everything. Like in here there are animals sacred to us and fruits as well that is forbidden to be eaten without any celebration. But whatever we eat and those who bears seeds we plant them right away, for anilas we take their alumingin or heart as counterpart in your land… Cause we believe that it is where the soul is residing and elders give it a ceremony honoring them for giving us abundance. When we take life we make sure we replace them with life… that’s how it is in our world.
Power like what I said is only as good as oxygen you breathe in your world. When we are here we only bring spells to live through the day. We are not in tune with you nature so our abilities are only good in where we live. But we have some things that we can do here that no ordinary man can do… Like we can live here without eating in days nor drinking your water. For example we can be as we wish as long as our parallel world coincide in that place by the use of “portals”.
But our spells are good as magic if you can define it as power but we would love to term as ability rather than power.
it will take away the thrill pf getting lost though
@anonymous- we have different light frequencies and cameras from here records photons. I tried once but it comes out overexposed. The level of quantum efficiency is great that sensor from your camera can’t handled how those photons bombards it and there isn’t enough time for those photons to be converted to electrons to record photos. So as the the standard ISO being used in your camera can’t cope up with those particles to compensate the amount of light even the aperture is at f/32.
tutubi- i can give you our coordinates but what good will it do? like what you said it will only ruin the excitement.
born to be wild- why would you pity someone who hopes for a better life? In that brief moment as they read my comment their is a spark of hope in them that somewhere there is a better place other than the world that you are used to. It may be superficial and the possibility of being there is like finding a needle in a hay stack, still they are glad that somewhere exist world such us ours. Besides I never asked them to offer a human being in honor of anyone or some gods. If the Wright brother believe in majority that man can’t fly then you wouldn’t have planes to fly on. Isn’t it?