A TERM REQUIREMENT FOR

ENGLISH 9
Compiled By:
BSED ENGLISH 2
Babon, Christine Loi G.
Del Rosario, Renzel Mae P.
Navio, Caissa Jane M.
 All of the stories were taken from the book “Bahandi han Pagsanghan”
authored by our high school teacher, Ma’am Melanie L. De Loyola.
“Bahandi han Pagsanghan” was made through her efforts and dedication on cultural mapping.
These stories would just vanish into thin air without her quest to
unveil every story of exceptional culture and tradition of Pagsanghan.
 OVERVIEW
PAGSANGHAN began its development as a sitio called Langawid, named after
a big tree called Langawid where the first few houses were built by the natives of
Palanas, just where the Gandara River branches into two tributaries.

Sitio Langawid was surrounded by a vast swamp where nipa palms and
mangrove trees grew and other forest products where in abundance so that a sitio grew
rapidly in its size, area and population. The sitio was converted into a barangay named
‘Ginsang-An’ which means “branching”. As the time goes by, ‘Ginsang-An’ became
Pagsanghan.

Pagsanghan becomes famous and popular because it was believed to be the

portal to the Mysterious City of Biringan. Many different accounts of individuals who
had experienced with this strange metropolis were told and retold by the old folks.
Although its veracity has not been proven yet, people are curious about this place.
 The City of Wonder and the Place of Lost Souls

Have you heard of the City of Biringan? A city where people are not like us and the
grandeur scenery of the place is something that will leave you in awe? We have fond of
knowing stories that tickle our fantasies and we seem believe in their existence most
especially if people spread the veracity of their experiences. Is Biringan City one of those
wonderful places we should wish to visit or should we not dare ourselves?

According to some old folks of Pagsanghan, the name "Biringan" was coined from
the name of Berino Pontojas who owned the area where Birangan is located.

To the local people, Biringan means "Birilngan", which means "the finding place of
the lost soul". It is not found in the political map of Samar because it is hidden city. There
were claims that Biringan is located in Visayas, particularly in Western Samar, but its portal
is in the town of Pagsanghan.

There were accounts of people about their personal experiences with this
mysterious place and with the beautiful people living there.

Many years ago, a fisherman named Macario Garcia was peddling the fish he caught
to Gandara, Samar rowing his boat with his paddle. When he passed by a metropolis area
along the riverside, he was shocked because he had been passing this area but he had not
seen any progressive place like this before. He was still at the state of shock when a lovely
woman approached him and said.

"Macario, papalita ako hito nga imo isda kay damo amon bisita yana kay
magpapatron dinhi ha amon".

He was tongue-tied, but he gave all his fish to the woman, the woman in return paid
him in coins.

"Balik buwas, Macario kay mapalit pa kami han imo isda." The woman added.
 Macario right away left the place. Upon reaching Pagsanghan, his fellow peddlers
were suprised why he was too early and all his fish were sold, for they knew the fact that
Gandara is quite far from Pagsanghan. He recounted his experience and told his fellow to
proceed to the place to vend their fish, however, the peddlers who went to the place did
not find any.

Early next morning, Macario returned to the place, however, he found no one and
no sign that a metropolis thrives. It was believed that those living in the place did not like
Macario's telling to the peddlers their existence.

Another popular account was about a beautiful woman named Carolina. Carolina
was believed to be the Queen of Biringan City. It was said that she, together with the other
strangers who looked stunning lovely and handsome would join during the fiesta
celebrations of Pagsanghan Samar especially on the Vesper Night. The folks were startled
of their sight beacuse they seemed to be new faces and they usually disappeared before
dawn.

Still another story was about a letter

addressed to Veronica Cuevas of Biringan,
Samar, which was received by the Post
Master but was not able to found the
person and the place.

Many accounts have been

recounted by individuals who claim their
personal experiences with this place. It
may be too hard to believe but the story of
this mysterious place never fails to
fascinate one's imagination and fear at the A letter addressed to Veronica Cuevas of Biringan City
(Photo taken from “Bahandi han Pagsanghan”)
same time.
 Pagsanghan’s Acacia Tree

Photo credits: Jam Lester Ganancias

According to the old folks of Pagsanghan during the Japanese time, people gathered
in this place to listen to information disseminated by the government. It served as their
shade during mass gatherings because the church and covered court were not yet built at
that period.
Some hearsays tell that those who committed mistakes against the Japanese soldiers
were beheaded in this place and their heads were hung on its branches making the place
scary. There were stories that those who were beheaded were seen coming out from the
tree as ghosts and roaming around the place, without heads, of course.
Time passed and the once grotesque image of Acacia tree faded then the
picturesque shade appeared as it was beautified by the local government. Presently, people
still gather here to rest and to spend their leisure time. It is still the noisy place at daytime
and a little bit creepy at night especially that this tree is believed to be the portal to
Biringan, the Mysterious City.
 The Walking Niño

According to a town’s legend, a

resident named Antonio Puzon first
saw the image of its Patrono, the Holy
Infant Jesus or Sr. Sto. Niño with a toy
ball in his hand while he was gathering
vines in the nearby swamps. He
immediately washed the shining image
in the creek of “Burak”. From then
on, the fish catch of local fishermen in
Photo credits: Pagsanghan SK Poblacion the Ginsang-An creeks and rivers were
unexpectedly bountiful. This was the
birth of faith among “Pagsanghananons” who soon venerate the greatness of Sto. Niño as
the intercessor of God.
Stories of miracles are experienced by many which spread out to other places, put
the devotion to the child Jesus, and drew more pilgrims and visitors to Pagsanghan.
Since then, the annual fiesta celebrations are flocked by people from nearby places,
they would dance in front of the sacred image, pleading their petitions and prayers and
invoking His compassionate heart for mercy, and protection.
Another account happened during the Japanese Era where the folks of Pagsanghan
evacuated to hid themselves from the approaching enemy. An old woman saw a little boy
holding a ball who was walking to the riverside and crying while looking at the water. The
old folks realized that it was the Holy Infant Jesus who was left alone in the chapel so they
took the image with them and together concealed and saved themselves from the enemy.
Furthermore, just recently, after years of renovation of Sr. Sto. Niño Parish, the
church staff decided to put the patrono on the terrace of the church. As they carry up the
Niño, it got heavier and heavier. Seems like Niño do not want to be put there. So, the staff
put Sr. Sto. Niño on the altar instead and its replica on the terrace.
The complete trust of the parishioners of Pagsanghan were offered to Sr. Sto. Niño
asking for abundant blessings and graces, divine guidance, strong faith, good health, family
solidarity among others.
Because of these experiences which are true and real to some, the faith to the
Almighty Father of Pagsanghan folks and other faithful followers with the intercession of
the Holy Child had been venerated.
 Agta in Villahermosa

(Photo taken from “Bahandi han Pagsanghan”)

According to the old folks of Brgy. Villahermosa of Pagsanghan, a certain tree

named Toog Tree, the oldest tree in the area is believed to be the shelter of “Agta” or
“mag-itom nga tawo”. There were some instances where these “Agta” were seen running
around the school plaza late in the afternoon or early night time.
There was an incident when a school boy was screaming in pain, one late afternoon,
while his group of friends were still playing and doing some stunts in the plaza. The boy
became unconscious and was brought home by his playmates.
When he gained consciousness, he was still groaning in pain, and when asked what
happened, the school boy recounted that he accidentally hit and pushed an “Agta Boy”.
This angered the “Agta” father who repeatedly beat the school boy to get even of what had
happened to his son. A “tambalan” was called and did some offering at the Toog Tree as a
way of asking an apology for what the school boy had committed.
 Horrors in Caloloma Rice Fields

The first settlers in Brgy.

Caloloma of Pagsanghan were the
people who discovered Sitio
Lomboy. The name Caloloma was
believed to be originated from a
century-old tree called “Luma” or old
with an inverted shape of a hat
(“kalo” – a Waray term for a hat, a
head covering that has a brim and a
rounded or flat top). Thus, the term
Kalo Luma became the name of this
place which later on changed into
Caloloma. The old tree was believed
was believed to be inhabited by extra-
ordinary beings and this hung backed
other people to stay in the place.
Dionesio Soria Sr., and Cerilo Soria
decided to cut the tree and
encouraged their family members
living in nearby places to join them
develop the place.
No significant oral tradition
was associated with this place since
the first settlers did not stay long (Photo taken from Pinterest)
there.
However, a recent story passes through a word of mouth about a motorcycle driver
(who appealed to keep his identity secret) who had a horrible experience one night as he
hurriedly drove his way from Pagsanghan to Brgy. Caloloma to pick up a passenger. It was
a full moon, so the area was clear and visible. When he reached the curve portion going to
the “sitio”, he noticed a tall black man standing still and rice field with red eyes staring at
him angrily. He stopped his motorcycle and asked the other driver following him and if he
had seen what he saw but the other man replied in disagreement. When he looked back at
the place, the man was no longer in sight. Together with the other driver, they rushed back
to the town proper and never attempted to pass the area in the middle of the night again.
 Tikbalang
Tikbalang, a half man, half horse creature was believed to roam between the
neighboring barangays of Bangon and Cambaye. This tikbalang was suspected to be
slaughtering the dogs in these places. It was seen to be walking around the town by some
residents are dogs were killed each day. While other residents saw San Roque also roaming
the town as a sign of his concern over the dogs lives.

(Photo taken from Villains Wiki)

THE END