MAJESTIC, enthralling, bucolic, splendor, and captivating – these are just some of the few words people used when they speak of the City of Mati. My recent to the place located in the southeastern most of the country has confirmed these descriptions.
Previously, I had been to this capital of Davao Oriental three times.
But each time, I didn't have the opportunity of getting around. But on my last visit, I had the opportunity of meeting Michael Patrick N. Rabat, the brother of the mayor. "Why don't you come back again and see our tourist destinations?" he invited.
The invitation was too good to be turned down. So, I accepted the offer. After all, Mati is part of Philippine history as the Japanese Occupation forces landed in the area in 1942. Three years later, the town was liberated – thanks to the allied Philippine Commonwealth troops and the guerrilla units from Davao.
However, there's more to Mati than just history. With my friend Jose Rey L. Subaldo in tow, I returned to the city considered to be "the best-kept secret of Davao Region." But does this sobriquet still hold true today?
"Each year, people from Davao and neighboring provinces have come to our city," said Dashiel Inedible Jr. the head of the city tourism office. In 2008, almost 40,000 people visited Mati, with about 1,000 of them from other countries, particularly Japan, Korea, United States, and Europe.
"Once a sleepy municipality, Mati is now a newly established city enjoying a surge of tourist influx and word-of-mouth hype from those who have experienced a glorious escape from the busy urban life," wrote my friend Jojie Alcantara in an article which appeared in Mabuhay, the in-flight magazine of Philippine Airlines.
She knows what she's talking about; she was born in Mati. "My childhood was filled with memories of summer frolics in our popular beaches," she penned. "Mati is, after all, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. Its geographical location affords a coastal line so long and filled with powdery white sands, it is blessed with an enchanting panoramic view of the deep blue."
Indeed, Mati is one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines. Upon reaching Mati, the splendid view of the sea readily welcomes any visitor. That's what Krizza Mae L. Balog, who was also born and raised in Mati, also pointed out in a piece with appeared in M.
"On a three-hour trip to Mati from Davao City," she wrote, "you will pass through Badas, a zigzag road along the top of a cliff that offers a captivating vista of Pujada Bay. Badas is lined with trees and its every bend lets you take a peek at the serene blue ocean below. From this viewpoint, the ‘Sleeping Dinosaur,’ an island shaped like the prehistoric reptile sprawling on the sea, is best admired."
Badas is named after the barangay located at sitio Baso. You have to pass this eight-kilometer road if you come from Davao City. The so-called Sleeping Dinosaur is a natural attraction approximately 579 hectares. It can be reached by motorboat within 25-minute ride. So far, only local and domestic tourists have gone in the area.
Pujada Bay is considered as among the richest bays in the Southeast Asia. Scuba diving is also experienced here. There are 15,700 species of sea creatures that can be found in the Pujada Bay, among them: lobsters, sea cow, hammerhead shark, blue whale, manta ray, and different kinds of marine turtles, mostly endangered. At one time, there was a marine turtle sanctuary managed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Mati is known for its pristine beaches. Some 15-minute ride from the heart of the city is the most famous beach in barangay Dahican. It is noted for its clear waters and a 17-kilometer pure and fine white sand shore. "You don't have to go to Boracay to experience white sand," Rabat said. "We have it here."
A foreigner who had been to both beaches agreed. As he himself stated, "I have not seen such a wonderful beach, not even in Boracay. The Dahican Beach is a South sea dreams come true."
Irresistible Dahican is known as Mindanao's mini-Hawaii as it is a prime location for surfers. If you're adventurous enough, you can try aquasports like kayaking and skim boarding. The strong wind is ideal for wind and board surfing.
About 10 minutes away from Dahican is barangay Masao, the location of Cinco, Gregorio, and Jam Bay Beach Resorts. Cinco Masao is noted for its mini zoo with monkeys, eagle, a civet cat, and a crocodile. Big plus factor of Jam Bay is the swimming pool-like swimming area.
Tourists from Finland, Australia, United States, Japan and Korea have enjoyed any of these resorts because of their clean water and cottages that line up in the middle of the sea.
Not to be missed is the Mayo Beach, which can be reached by 30-minutes travel from the poblacion. The place reminds you of the Brooke Shields movie because it has deep blue lagoon and cold spring water. The beach has cottages ideal for picnic and small gatherings. The wind coming from the ocean could sooth you tired mind and body.
Mati is dotted with majestic islands ideals for swimming, snorkeling and diving. One of the best is the Waniban Island, located at barangay Tamisan. It takes a 30-minute boat ride from its jump off area in Masao to be able to reach the place where cottages are available for rentals. Recommended duration of visit is slag (stop, look, and go), excursion and overnight camping.
Another one is the Pujada Island, whose inhabitants are mostly Christians. The island is 156 hectares in area and rises to height of 558 feet, dividing the entrance to Pujada Bay into two channels. There is no accommodation in the island and travel time from Cinco Masao by boat ride is about one hour.
Not to be missed is the Vanishing Oak Island, which is very similar to Camiguin's White Island. It island is actually a white sandbar which disappears during high tides. It is noted for its pure white sand and a single oak (talisay) tree from which it got its name.
Once in Mati, never miss going to the Provincial Capitol Hills in Barangay Central. It is nestled on the hilltop overlooking Pujada Bay.
Measuring one hectare, it houses all offices of the provincial government and several other national government agencies. It has a park, children's playground, and basketball and tennis courts.
How to get there? Mati is accessible by land and sea transportation. Davao City serves as the entry point. It is 165 kilometers from the Davao International Airport -- a leisurely three-hour ride. Vans for hire are readily available at SM Terminal and commuter buses regularly leave the Ecoland Bus Terminal every 30 minutes.