by Jims Vincent Capuno
“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.” That was how multi-awarded photojournalist Jojie Alcantara wrote in an article which appeared in Mabuhay, the in-flight magazine of Philippine Air Lines.
True enough. The city is no longer “the best kept secret of the Davao region.” Around three hours drive from Davao City (five hours if you take the bus), Mati is getting a fair share of guests and visitors from all over the country. “Each year, people from Davao and neighboring provinces have come to our city,” said the dashing Dashiel Inedible, Jr., head of the city tourism office.
There are several reasons why people have flocked to Mati. The city is a haven for beach goers. On top of the list is the pristine Dahican Beach whose serene and tranquil shores make it a great escape from strenuous busy life. There are no parties and not too many people – just simple beach life.
Some 15-minute ride from the heart of the city, Dahican Beach is noted for its clear waters and a 7-kilometer pure and fine white sand shoreline. “You don’t have to go to Boracay to experience white sand,” Michael N. Rabat, the brother of the mayor, told us during our visit. “We have it here.” To which Dabawenya Alcantara agrees: “(Dahican Beach) is one of the reasons why we are not too keen for travel in other famous island hops like Boracay. We have our own to brag about.”
An American visitor, who had been to Boracay himself, even hailed: “I have not seen such a wonderful beach, not even in Boracay. The Dahican Beach is a South sea dream come true.”
The waves are big enough for surfing; it is a well-known skimboarding and surfing spot in the country. In fact, if you’re lucky, you can meet the homegrown group of surfers called Amihan, which refers to the Easterly Winds of the Pacific Ocean. “We practice everyday as long as there are big waves,” said 13-year-old Fidel Bautista. “While the fisher folks here pray that big waves would not come, we are praying that they come so that we could surf.”
About 10 minutes away from Dahican is barangay Masao, home of Cinco, Gregorio, and Jam Bay Beach Resorts. Tourists from Finland, Australia, the United States, Japan and Korea have enjoyed these resorts because of their clean waters and cottages in the sea.
Equally enthralling is the Mayo Beach which can be reached by 30-minute travel time from the Poblacion. The place will remind one of a Brooke Shields movie because it has a deep blue lagoon and cold spring water. The beach has cottages ideal for picnic and small gatherings. The wind coming from the ocean soothes one’s tired mind and body.
Mati is known also for its captivating islands. The four-hectare Waniban Island just off barangay Tamisan is ideal for picnic, swimming, as well as sunbathing on its white sand. It takes a 30-minute boat ride from jump off in Masao. Visitors are advised to bring their own food and water when visiting this island. Recommended duration of visit is s.l.a.g. (stop, look, and go). It isideal for excursions and even overnight camping.
The Oak Island in barangay Lawigan is very fascinating in that it is actually an islet of white sand that is visible only during low tide and disappears at high tide. The islet can be reached on a rented motorboat from Masao Beach Resort or Gregorio Beach Resort.
Also in barangay Lawigan is the 156-hectare Pujada Island, which is located at the entrance of Pujada Bay. Surrounded by white sandy beaches, it is good for swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling. The place can be reached by motorboat after about an hour’s travel. As the island has no facilities yet, all one can do is stay in the shade of trees and gaze at the clear blue waters surrounding the island.
Speaking of Pujada Bay, it is considered among the richest bays in Southeast Asia. There are 15,700 species of sea creatures that inhabit the bay. Lobsters, sea cows (locally known as dugong), hammerhead sharks, blue whales, manta rays, and different species of turtles are just among the many sea animals that abound in Pujada Bay.
These sea creatures are not the only ones you can find in Mati. There have been reported sightings of nocturnal tarsiers and endangered Philippine eagles. Tarsiers are known to exist in barangay Bobon. On the other hand, an eagle sanctuary – which covers 7,000 hectares of tropical forest within the two barangays (Cabuaya and Luban) – is being established by the city government.
There is one natural attraction that will immediately grab one’s attention upon entering the city’s outskirts. The locals call it the “sleeping dinosaur.” This is a dinosaur-shaped outcropping of land in Pujada Bay as seen from where the mountain highway zig-zags at barangay Badas So far, only local and domestic tourists have been to the area which can be reached by motorboat in a 25-minute ride.
Once in Mati, never miss going to the seat of the provincial government on Capitol Hill at 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.
Food in Mati is pretty basic. If you want the best sea foods in town, go to Seaside Restaurant located just a few meters away from the city hall. Mouth-watering grilled tunas paired with kinilaw, shrimp in chili sauce, camaron rebosado, grilled pusit and tinolang isda are all one an wish for in seafood. Seaside also boasts of its popular fried and fresh lumpias and empanada.
For more western type food try Shaun and Hazel Food (on Rizal Extension), or Honey’s Kitchenette (in barangays Matiao and Balintong). Other eateries include Kape’Tol Bar and Grill (on Capitol Hill), Nanay Bateng’s (inside Hotel Beatrice), and Lane’s Kan-anan (Bonifacio Street).
Don’t worry about places to stay. There are several of them: hotels, lodging houses, and retreat houses. Most hotels and lodging houses have air-conditioned rooms while almost all retreat houses rely on electric fans.
Highly recommended is Villa Merced Hotel along Bonifacio Street. The ever-smiling staff is highly efficient while room rates range from P500 to P800 a day. Other places to stay in are Casa Rosa, Mati Citi Lodge, Baywalk Hotel, and Lane’s Katulganan.
