MANILA, Philippines - It was a scene seemingly lifted from a light romantic movie. You wake up to the idyllic environs of an unchartered territory and you are first to witness the sun’s first blush. The setting? Think a nirvana of lush greens and tranquil blue waters, all cradled along kilometers of fine white sand beaches.
Then reality dawns and you realize it was a just another Sunday and you were simply reminiscing moments spent in Mati.
What better way to discover the beauty of an unscathed ground than be introduced to it by a proud Matinian himself? Born and raised in Mati, Carlo Rabat, the vice mayor of the city, graciously welcomed us city dwellers with Metro magazine team.
The son of the late mayor Don Luisito Rabat, Carlo delighted us with eye-popping tourist revelations with a complete Matinian feast of the best gastronomic fares. With his siblings Rachelle, Kara, Tanya, and Nicolo, and his wife, Baby, daughter Nica and sons Luisito and Lorenzo. Close friends Eric and Candice Protasio and Anna Magnaye also showed us what Matinian hospitality is all about.
With the hottest figures in the modeling and entertainment scene, we flew with the chosen few of the 2013 Metro Body Issue and were rewarded with a groundbreaking first-look at the picturesque beauty of Mati.
It’s all about brandishing team spirit as the entire Metro magazine team came in full force: editor-in-chief Michealle Torres, creative director Patrick Ty, managing editor Katrina Angco, Charmagne Garcia-Laconico, Geolette Esguerra, and Ria Gamboa, as well as ace photographer Doc Marlon Pecjo, stylist to celebrities Eldzs Mejia, hair design masters Peps Silvestre and Jay Wee, makeup artist to the stars Mickey See and Kusie Ho and videographer Fold Canela.
With us were television personalities who go beyond what sexiness is: ABS-CBN’s Ina Kapatid Anak star Enchong Dee, Against All Odds actor Joseph Marco, Paraiso’s Jessy Mendiola, A Beautiful Affair’s Megan Young, and Aryana’s David Chua with beauty heiress Crystalle Henares.
Also with us were PMAP discoveries Miko Raval and Sam Ajdani, runway and print regular Mark Lopez, and the first Filipino victor of Manhunt International June Macasaet.
Long after its pioneer settlers of Kalagan, Mandayan, and Maranao tribes inhabited the land, it was our group’s turn to conquer what 130,000 of modern day Matinians are most proud to share.
After a three-hour ride from Davao City’s Waterfront Insular Hotel via its 90-percent first-rate roads, we were lead to the city’s capitol situated at the top of a hill from where we could see the breathtaking scenery of the Pujada Bay.
Dahican is one of the most popular destinations in Mati with its 17-kilometer pure, fine white sand shore. Surfing and wind-boarding fans call it a haven for local and international tourneys.
Mati also boasts the Dinosaur Island, the 579-hectare natural attraction located at sitio Baso of Barangay Badas. Reached by motorboat within a 25-minute ride, the mystical land formation reminds one of a sleeping dinosaur.
It was a picture-perfect parcel of memory –– a renewed image of Eden. Then you wake up and you realize it’s not just a dream. Mati has stolen your heart.
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Special thanks to Vice Mayor Carlo Rabat and his family, Rochelle Rabat-del Rosario, Eric and Candice Protasio, and Anna Magnaye. Photos by Keren Pascual with additional photos from Fold Canela. Feast on Mati, Davao Oriental’s impressive untouched beauty and this year’s roster of entertainment’s hottest celebrities in the 2013 Metro Body issue, out now in major magazine stands and bookstores nationwide.