MATI ESCAPADE

Year 1994, the Ateneo Dance Troupe were invited by the Davao Oriental Tourism.  I was in my first year in college then when we are chosen to showcase dance number for the pageant, Bb. Tourism 1994.

Our meeting place at SILVERIOS BOUTIQUE-UM ARCADE     

We are waiting for our service to arrive. 

As soon as the van and the pick-up arrive we immediately headed to Mati, Davao Oriental.  

ATENEO DANCE TROUPE - EXTREME COLOURS
at the back the well known SLEEPING DINOSAUR
The Sleeping Dinosaur is one of the key attractions of the City.  It an island nestled along Pujada Bay that resembles like a submerged sleeping dinosaur. Its grandeur is visibly seen upon passing the 8 kilometer Badas Zigzag Road. It is greatly admired especially by those first timers. There are view decks made for tourists and travelers wanting to capture the gorgeousness of this Sleeping Beauty. In fact, it is the first welcoming attraction one will see upon entering the soil of the City.

We arrived there almost 6 in the evening.  The organizers meet us and 

confirm the essential details of our itinerary.  We had our dinner first 

at the canteen and after that they lead us to our room, we sleep at the 

Provincial Capitol Conference Room.  

It's not a lie to say that we were packed in there like sardines and still enjoy ourselves. 

And when we are finished unpacking our things we went to the GYM and have our dance rehearsals with the Bb. Tourism candidates.

with Sir Ricky  Enriquez as our Dance Choreographer and at the same time one of the organizer

Our dance rehearsal helped us to understand the empowerment and the 

familiarization of our dance step.  Some tension, but soon we settled into our 

rooms for a much needed sleep for tomorrow will be the day of the 

pageant. 

PAGEANT NIGHT.  We all wake up in the morning to have our early breakfast.  It is early for the show so Ate Annie and I went outside the capitol and have our pictorial.

Me and Ate Annie enjoying the scenery  of  Mati

Since it is too early for us to prepare for the show the organizer decided to tour us at Dahican Beach.

Once a quaint beach famous for its long stretch of pristine white sand and clean crystal clear azure waters facing the mighty Pacific Ocean, Dahican Beach is the City’s most famous tourist attraction. 

Today, Dahican Beach is widely known as theSkimboarding and Surfing Capital of the Davao Region. It has captivated a lot of beach lovers and has created an unfailing trademark as one of the beach destinations in the South. 

After the long day of having fun in the beach, we went to our room to have our bath and get ready for our opening number and for our final show. 

 This are some of the pictures we had during the pageant 

The show ended at exactly 1 in the morning.  We have great time, though all of us look exhausted we still want to go home that exact day because we all have our mid-term exams.

We all headed back in Davao City, 3 hours ride from Mati. 

Even if we only stayed for a short time in Mati City, I will always cherish the moments we spent there.  Nice place, nice view, and wonderful people.