Mati's Sambuokan Festival 2010
Text and photos by Jojie Alcantara (published)

The blooming Municipality of Mati, the capital and heart of the province of Davao Oriental, celebrated its 10th Sambuokan Festival and 107th Araw ng Mati foundation this October with a flourish.

From the local dialect “buok”, which means “one”, the word “Sambuokan” was formed to symbolize the unity and harmony of the people of Mati from different sectors, social status, and lifestyle.

Sambuokan Festival showcases Mati’s “oneness” despite diversity of fascinating culture and ethnic traditions, along with its abundance of natural resources carefully preserved and enhanced by ecotourism. It is an expression of thanksgiving as well as an observance of the commemoration of the founding anniversary of the Municipality of Mati every 29th of October.

Sambuokan’s weeklong festival highlights promised fun and creativity – night events at the Baywalk, parties, competitions and musical showdown, bikini open, exhibits, dog show and clinic, tiangge (a market showcase of local products of quality and ingenuity), banca race, and the popular skimboarding competition which graces the stunning white sands and blue waves of Dahican.

Beyond the merrymaking, this festival aims to unite the people working together for its success. This was once the dream of the festival’s Founder - the late Madame Edith Nakpil Rabat (a stunning socialite/beauty queen/assemblywoman with an impressive lineage from parents Anita Noble, Miss Philippines 1926, and National Artist for Architecture Juan Nakpil – to grandparents Julio Nakpil, composer to our first national anthem, and Gregoria de Jesus, Lakambini of the Katipunan and Andres Bonifacio’s widow), who has peacefully joined her loving husband, Mayor Francisco Rabat (former Olympic basketball team delegate in the 50s, and former governor of Davao Oriental and mayor of Mati). This well loved power couple was a significant force all these years into turning the once sleepy town into a progressive settlement and today’s buzz as the next big tourist destination.

More importantly, another legacy they leave behind is in the appearance of their daughter, Michelle Nakpil Rabat, who continues to shine and serve as a model leader to Matinians who look up to her as their beloved Mayor today.

The festival theme is meaningful: ”Mag- iban iban kita para sang kanaton mahal na Mati” , calling everyone to join forces and unite in gaiety for the love of a municipality once stripped controversially of a well deserved cityhood for technical reasons. Matinians hold their heads high despite the disappointing setback, and Mati turns out to be even more developing and progressive than other cities in Mindanao.

One of the favorite highlights, the Indak – Indak sa Kadalanan (Street Dancing Competition) simply burst into a profusion of energy and vibrant colors as participants from 10 (ten) schools wowed a huge crowd in the Mati Park and Baywalk. Looking down from the stage in admiration and sitting beside Mayor Rabat is the newly appointed Department of Tourism Region XI Director Art Boncato. Mati Central Elementary School and Matiao National High School romped off with the grand prize for elementary and high school, respectively.

When you visit Davao, explore the adventurer in you and go for Mati on a sudden whim. It’s merely two hours away by private vehicle on smooth paved roads with a panoramic vista of stunning coastline and dark blue waters. Surprises await nature lovers, and more.

(Jojie Alcantara is a long time lifestyle columnist of SunStar Davao, a photographer, frequent traveler and an artist. Exploring unknown islands in the archipelago armed with her Canon cameras and asthma inhalers, her fascination for her beloved country keeps her rooted to her land and wishes everyone can see the beauty from her perspective. Visit www.pbase.com/jojie_alcantara and join her fascinating adventures).

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