The Enchanted City of Coguiton (Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte, Philippines)

When we think of the mysteries and enduring tales about hidden cities, our minds often wander to thoughts of El Dorado or Atlantis. Whether buried by time, a natural phenomenon, or existing in another realm, the Philippines also has its share of legends about ethereal cities.  Occasionally when people lose their mind, or go missing, the engkantos and legends of these hidden places are suspected.  There is the invisible city of Biringan, populated by engkantos and believed to be located somewhere in Samar.  The hidden city in Iloilo believed to be inhabited by the mystical Tumao, an extinct ruling class of the Visayas.  And now I add to this growing list, the enchanted city of Coguitan in Surigao del Norte.

The Enchanted City of Coguiton

This story of the recent past occurred in the barrio of Coguiton, in the Municipality of Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte, Philippines.

Marcos was a poor, simple farmer who lived in Coguiton with his wife and children. One morning, while clearing the bushes, he was slapped on the back. He was frightened because he knew he was alone. Then he saw a richly dressed old man. The old man demanded, “Why did you cut my cacao plant? You will pay for this, stupid man. I will punish you.”

Marcos trembled with fear. “Please, don’t punish me. I didn’t know this is your cacao plantation because I don’t see any. You see this is my land. I’m cutting down these bushes so I can plant some camote. If I don’t my family will starve.”  The enkanto pitied him. “Very well, I’m going to help you, but on one condition. Do not tell anyone, not even your wife. If you do, I will not help you anymore. However, don’t cut these trees again.”

Marcos gave his word that he would keep their secret. The old man told Marcos to accompany him to the city. Marcos was puzzled. There was no city in Coguiton. In fact, he had never been to a city. The old man led the way and in about five dupa, Marcos saw the city. All the houses were made of gold. There were many kinds and sizes of vehicles, stores, theaters, and clubhouses. He could see schools with students walking about. The men and women were good-looking. He reached out to touch the vehicles passing by and the wares sold in the stores.

Then they reached the mysterious man’s house. It was also a golden house. He owned a big store too. The old man gave him a sack of rice and asked Marcos to sell his abaca fiber in the old man’s store. He was buying and selling copra, abaca, and cacao. After receiving the sack of rice, Marcos instantly found himself again back in his grassy land. Back there, he thought it was all a dream until he saw the sack of rice he was still carrying. Yet he was alone. His parents used to talk of “beings not like us” and now he believed he had just seen one of them.

Marcos kept his secret. As for the old man, he continued helping Marcos. Marcos would go to the woods, carrying his abaca fiber, and then come back home with a sack of rice. At last Marcos’ wife became suspicious with his evasive answer about where the sacks of rice came from. She asked a compadre to do some heavy drinking with Marcos so that when drunk, Marcos would reveal his secret. She suspected Marcos of stealing. Marcos did get drunk and revealed his secret. Waking up the next morning, he realized what he had done. He ran to the woods, but the old man was not there nor did he ever appear to Marcos again.

Today there are some folks in Coguiton who knew Marcos and will testify that there really was a time when Marcos never ran out of rice. They even point out the spot where he and the enkanto met.

SOURCE: Philippine Folk Literature : The Legends / compiled and edited by DamianaL. Eugenio, UP Press

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