I like places that surprise me. At times I would go to a destination not knowing what to expect. Yes I would have an idea or two but finding out there’s more when I get there is always exciting. Mati City in Davao Oriental is one of those places that has a surprising development. Typhoon Pablo battered, it has recovered quite well. Aside from the purple bannered buildings that rose from the rubble, its Dahican Beach has been the top draw in the province.
Dahican Beach
I heard it was good, but in actuality Dahican Beach in Mati is just gorgeous! Extensive creamy white sand so fine that its a pleasure to walk bare feet. Its 17-km stretch is so picturesque, very tropical with coconut trees on the fringe still a plenty. Yes there are resorts but they are widely spaced apart that they are not, at the moment an eyesore. And oh that wonderful ocean hues, a gentle contrast that’s soothing to the eyes.
“Mga five years ago, kami kami lang ang andito (About five years ago, we were the only ones here)” Says Pedro, an avid skim boarder already a little over quarter of his life. He admits that he has taken in the sport a little late but has not regretted getting into skim boarding. Dahican Beach is the home for the Amihan Boys (and girls), a group of spirited young individuals who have the common passion for skim boarding and the free and easy way of life by the beach. Their Amihan sa Dahican is an ideal place to learn how to skim board (and in good season, to surf) as they have able instructors and who knows you might get inspired by the international skim board sensation Sonny Boy “Bayogyog” Aporbo who skim boards here every morning as his daily ritual.
The Amihan sa Dahican have also shown concern for the environment. Just beside their hut is a turtle nest sanctuary. Securely fenced for poachers. Dahican Beach is favorite nesting ground for turtles.
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning travel photographer, writer and blogger. His works has found print in publications such as Singapore Airlines’s Silver Kris, Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay, Cebu Pacific’s Smile and Seair InFlight. He has also lent his expertise to various organizations like the Oceana Philippines, Lopez Group Foundation, Save the Children and World Vision, contributing quality images for their marketing materials.
