Discovering Mati, Davao Oriental: A 'Biyahe ni Drew' itinerary 

It's easy to pass a lesser known place like Mati as an uninteresting travel destination. But like a new book waiting to be read, this hidden city in Davao Oriental is filled with unexpected surprises just waiting to be discovered. Here's "Biyahe ni Drew" host Drew Arellano's itinerary for this trip.

 

Mati what?

 

The city of Mati derived its name from the Mandayan word "ma-ati" which means to "dry up quickly." It is called such because the city does not suffer much flooding during the rainy season.

 

The mention of Mati’s name might not ring any bell to a lot of people, but many of us have probably tasted their main agricultural product: the suha or pomelo. It is one of the biggest producers of the sweetest pomelos in the Philippines.

 

More than pomelos, the city is also a place where you can find wonderful beaches, hot springs, falls, and more. 

 

Getting there

 

You do not have to worry about getting to Mati! 

 

Manila to Davao flights are always available. Our team booked their flights with Cebu Pacific Air, our official travel partner. Follow their official Facebook and Twitter accounts to keep track of their latest seat sales to help lessen your budget.

 

The flight from Manila to Davao takes only an hour and a half, but to get to Mati, you have to travel for another three to four hours by land. It is a long ride so do not forget to bring snacks and prepare a good playlist! 

 

What to see

 

Blue Bless Resort

Barangay Bobon, City of Mati

 

Mati is a coastal city so it has several resorts. Most resorts like Blue Bless serve food using freshly-caught ingredients. These resorts also function as your entryway to several dive spots like Pujada Island.

Dahican Beach

Barangay Dahican, City of Mati

 

Is island hopping or diving not your cup of tea? Head to Dahican Beach and bum all you want! Its calm waters and small waves are also perfect for skimboarding. In fact, the Amihan Boys, a local group made up of international skimboarding champions and amateurs, regularly practice their moves here. Get free entertainment as you watch them practice!

 

Pangyan Falls and Mainit Hot Springs

Lupon, Davao Oriental

 

Mati is also home to several bodies of freshwater. Want to take a break from the heat? Take a dip in the cool waters of Pangyan Falls. If you prefer to soak in warm water, head over to Mainit Hot Springs, which is right next to Pangyan. Drew observes, "Para kang nasa hotel na may hot and cold bath!"

 

Subangan Museum

Don Martin Marundan, City of Mati

 

"Ang Subangan Museum na yata ang isa sa pinakamagandang provincial museum na nabisita ng 'Biyahe ni Drew' crew," Drew attests.

 

This museum houses several clothes and artifacts made by the Mandayan people, Davao Oriental's first inhabitants. Subangan Museum also has a gallery featuring Mount Hamiguitan, which is part of UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. Mount Hamiguitan is home to several plants and animals endemic to the Philippines.

 

The star of the museum, however, is none other than the fossil of a 50-foot long sperm whale that was found by fishermen in 2010.

Menzi Farms

Don Martin Marundan, City of Mati

 

Our trip is not complete without getting pasalubong! Since Mati is famous for their pomelos, don't miss the chance to visit Menzi Farms, one of the top suppliers of pomelos in the country. This 50-hectare farm has been around since the 1960s. 

 

Menzi's pomelos are available in supermarkets around Mati but if you want to get a discount, going to the actual farm is the best option. A kilo bought directly from Menzi usually costs P50 to P70. Tip: You can also buy "reject" pomelos for as low as P30 per kilo. Because these pomelos are rejected solely for their appearance, you can be sure that their quality and taste are still top notch. Saturnino Momo, owner of Menzi, also recommended choosing heavier pomelos since this is a sign that the fruit is juicy.

 

Where to eat

 

Kap Station

Barangay Central, City of Mati

 

Kap Station is a roadside foodie place that serves various kinds of turon. Their specialties include the ube turon, lumpiang ubod, and the classic banana turon.

 

La-ne's Kan-anan

Bonifacio St., City of Mati

 

For lunch, Drew and the BND crew went to La-ne's Kan-anan. Our meal comprised of Visayan food staples like sinuglao (a combination of sinugba and kinilaw), adobo, pusit, and buntot ng tuna. 

 

The best dish in the menu, however, is the sinurol.

 

"Para siyang tinola dahl meron siyang papaya, may manok pati ginger. Tapos nilagyan nila ng coconut milk. Bakit hindi natin naisip yun, mga Manileños?" says Drew. "Naintindihan ko kung bakit siya ang star of the show. Sobrang sarap!"

 

Seaside Restaurant

Barangay Central, City of Mati

 

The best way to taste a place's specialty is to ask around and that's exactly what Drew did at Seaside Restaurant. He ended up with lumpia, empanada, squid, and several grilled seafood. Drew recommends the grilled tuna belly. "Kapag pinikit ko 'yung mata ko, parang feeling ko kumain ako ng rib eye steak sa isang mamahaling restaurant. Hindi ako nage-exaggerate."

 

To satisfy your sweet tooth, visit Mati's local markets and look for espasol, maja blanca, and biko. You can also get these rice cakes for pasalubong.

 

Guang-guang Intertidal Flats

Pujada Bay, City of Mati

 

If you want to have a certified Mati food experience, look for freshly-caught lukot, a freshwater food that can be found near mangroves such as Guang-guang. Lukot looks like seaweed but it is actually the eggs of the donsol. It can be eaten raw or mixed with vinegar, onions, and ginger.

 

What to do

 

Go biking

 

Mati's roads are less congested compared to the ones in Manila, making it more conducive to biking. There are a number of bike trails around the city that leads you to tourist spots such as the dinosaur-shaped island Sleeping Dinosaur and the Menzi Farms.

 

Fly an ultralight plane

 

Mati is one of the two places in the Philippines where you can fly ultralight planes. Tico Bondoc, Resident Manager of the Mindanao Saga Flying Club, says that they are open to people who want to be club members or to those who want to take one-week ultralight sports flying crash courses. Tourists can also avail one-day memberships. Flying an ultralight plane will let you see above Mati's famous islands including the Sleeping Dinosaur Island and Dahikan Beach.

 

Where to stay

 

La-Ne's Katulgunan

Bonifacio St., City of Mati

 

The rooms in La-Ne's Katulgunan may be simple but its facilities are clean and complete. Drew stayed in a room with two beds and a private bathroom. Accommodation ranges from P1,000 to P3,000.