Falling in love with Dahican

It was high noon when I arrived in the sun-kissed Dahican in the City of Mati in the picturesque province of Davao Oriental. The seven-kilometer shoreline bleeds with awesomeness and offers charm that will detach you from the hustle of the metro.

PARADISE would be a perfect word to describe Dahican in the City of Mati, Davao Oriental, Philippines.

It's Saturday and the elements of a good day was present: blue sky, scattered clouds and the "mood" to vagabond. The day before, I was actually thinking of going to Davao to hit the big screen but when I was already in the terminal, I had a change of mind. It came as a blitzkrieg and without second thoughts,  I found myself sitting in the airconditioned bus that will take me to an exhilarating two-hour ride to the City of Mati.

Mati is actually a foreign land to me. The first time I was here was during the year 2003 when I competed in the Regional Schools Press Conference.Having read a lot of blog posts about Mati and heard exciting stories about this city, I made it a point to visit her and experience one of its tourism gems: the beach.

A mere 15-minute tricycle ride from the city proper, past towering coconut trees and smiling locals, is the Amihan sa Dahican where entrance is free. It is included in the seven-kilometer stretch of shoreline which has powdery-white sand and its water are crystal blue. Fronting the Pacific Ocean, the waves here could reach as high as ten feet, especially during monsoon months -- making it a perfect place for skimboarding and surfing. It thus has become a mecca for surfers, locals and foreigners alike who fell in love with the charm of Dahican.


One thing that I like about Dahican is that it's not noisy. You will really be forced to relax, while listening to the sound of the union of the white sand and the blue water which turns into a white foam the moment it reaches the shore.

Dahican is also home to the Amihan Surf and Skim Team, a group of children and teenagers who have already competed and won in several national competitions and had waved the Filipino flag in international skimboarding and surfing competitions.

A member of the Amihan Surf and Skim Team waits for a huge wave in Dahican.

The crystal-clear water and the sparkling white sand amazed me first but the children practicing skimboarding caught my attention for the rest of the afternoon while I was there. They're really good and young as they are,they really had the knack to become skimboarding superstars in the near future. Watching them from the shore while looking out for potential big waves and eventually run to it with their skim boards is actually a fun thing to do. Watching them play with the waves, splash the water up high and do the exhibition is indeed a spine-tingler.

Skimboarding. It's more fun in Dahican!

Dahican is indeed one of Davao Region's bests, and reasons are aplenty of why there's a need to go back and fall in love with the beach all over again. When I do, I would surely bring a paper and a pen -- probably to write or to sketch -- and savor what Dahican has to offer.

Way to go, Dahican! I surely can't wait to fall in love with you again soon.

Sine

Relax and see a movie.

Ilang oras mula ngayon, ang pinilakang tabing ay muling magbubukas para sa mga taga-Tagum, na halos ilang dekada ding pinagkaitan ng ligaya ng panonood ng sine. Sa ngayon, kalat na kalat na ang updates ng isang malaking mall dito ukol sa -- well, gamit ang kanilang lingawahe, -- soft opening ng dalawa nitong sinehan bukas. Sa kabila nito, natanong din ba nila kung merong hard opening kung meron man? :)

Bukas ay Biyernes. Siguro bukas, maraming mapapa-TGIF at susugod ala-Bonifacio style sa sinehang ito. Sa tingin ko, blockbuster ang pila bukas. Siguro marami ding walang humpay ang pasasalamat dahil sa kanilang matitipid sa pamasahe papuntang Dabaw...na sa halip pambayad-pamasahe ay ibibili na lang ng popcorn. Yung extra large. Cheese. Samahan mo pa ng malamig na canned soda.

Ang lugar na to ay tiyak na magiging patok na dating place ng magkakapamilya, magbabarkada o magsing-irog. *lightbulb!* Isa na ito siguro sa mga rason na nagbibigay-ngiti sa atin, lalo na sa mga estudyante.

Ako man ay masasabing adik din sa pelikula. Maliban sa big screen, suki ako ng mga magagandang palabas na may kabuluhan. Nakakatiyak ako mula bukas, magiging household cliche na sigurado ang mga salitang relax and see a movie.

Wandering in Baní Falls in Arakan Valley, North Cotabato

The moment we started walking after that one-hour bus ride from Davao City that took us to the picturesque side of the Davao-Bukidnon Highway, I said to myself I’m in for a real adventure. It’s Sunday and the sun was on its mightiest, the blue sky hosted scattered clouds amidst a sea of green. Welcome to Arakan Valley, North Cotabato, where hills that seemed manicured greet you upon reaching this place that could only be described as paradise.

Arakan Valley is home to the majestic Baní Falls which, when seen from afar, is oozing with silky white hue that stands out amidst a green foliage. I was told that going there wouldn’t be easy, and it would require a lot of stamina and endurance since the site is abundant with cogon grass and with just few trees standing on its soil. That could only mean you have to walk under the heat of the sun since no shade of trees will give you respite on your long walk heading to Baní Falls. This prompted the Davao City-based Philippine Eagle Foundation to partner with the Bagobo tribe to come up with a greenhouse nursery, just one of the first steps in the reforestation efforts in that part of Arakan valley.

The 100-meter Bani Falls in Arakan Valley, North Cotabato

That part is truly a sight to behold as Arakan Valley offers a 360-degree view of the mountain ranges, of hills and of plateaus.

You start kissing the sun the moment you arrived in Kampo Uno, along the national highway where single motorcycles more known here in Davao Region as habal-habal are aplenty. From there, expert drivers will take you on a crazy and scary motorcycle ride, passing through rough and bumpy roads and an old bridge, where you can see humungous rocks below. 

After arriving in Sitio Inamong after ten minutes of motorcycle ride, members of the Bagobo tribe eased my initial exhaustion with their welcoming smiles. It provided additional warmth as well as an affirmation that I am in the right and safe place. After having a short tete`-a-tete´ with their tribal leader, I together with my trek-mates Mam Sarah, Sirs Edwin, Leo and Kang started our journey in anticipation to see the magnificence of Baní Falls. 

And this was when real adventure began. After being so hyper upon our approach to the topmost part of the Baní Falls, I was literally catching my breath on our first real ascent. By then, I almost called it quits, saying to my buddies that the mountain is not made for me. And that was only 30 minutes on the trail when I thought of giving up! But then, I persevered, thinking that my trip here would be futile if I don’t make it to the foot of the falls. Don’t be deceived: the trek was an easy one for expert climbers, but for a novice like me, it was really hard. 

But it’s worth it. The joy of seeing the waterfalls and hearing the sound that it produced from afar is truly a delight. When we arrived in our destination on high noon, we immediately submerged ourselves in one of the springs beside the falls where all our exhaustion were literally wiped out by the cold water that runs through it. We ate our lunch there together with our guides, and since we ran out of mineral water, we relied on the spring for our water consumption. It tastes great! Lo and behold, the 100-meter high Baní Falls in Arakan Valley, North Cotabato is truly one of Mindanao’s hidden jewels.

At the foot and top of the Bani Falls

We didn’t stay long, since we are afraid that we will still be in the trail at dusk. Lest I forget, this was my first major climb and the thought of surviving the 21-kilometer walk is making me smile. I also realized that climbing also reinvigorates your spiritual side as I can’t count on my fingers how many times I prayed during the trek, wishing for a safe ascent-descent and that my body can withstand the sweltering heat of the sun. I will always remember how I expressed gratitude each time a strong wind comes in, for occasional shades and the good view.

This is one classic example of if others can, why can’t I?

Looking back, I thought I was really punishing myself for joining the trip but I was wrong. Climbing truly requires endurance, strength, stamina and the like. It was really a hell of a trip but it made me realized that you really don’t conquer the mountain when you are climbing. You are conquering yourself. 

Remembering Rizal, 151 Years Later

Blogger's note: I was honored to be invited as the Keynote Speaker and the Guest of Honor of the City Government of Davao's commemoration of the 151st Birth Anniversary of our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal last June 19, 2012 at Rizal Park, Davao City. The following is my speech in its entirety.


***

REMEMBERING RIZAL, 151 YEARS LATER

SPEECH OF LOUIE BRYAN M. LAPAT FOR THE 151^ST BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF DR. JOSE P. RIZAL

Rizal Park, San Pedro Street, Davao City

June 19, 2012

COURTESIES—


One hundred fifty one years ago today, the Filipino Nation did not know about the birth of the man who would later become this country’s foremost national hero. The birth of Dr. Jose Rizal was not foretold by a prophet, nor was heralded by a shining star in the night sky but Rizal’s existence would forever be embedded in this nation’s history and in our respective lives as Filipinos. As we gather here this early morning today, we affirm once more Rizal’s greatness as a Filipino and a citizen of the world.

I came here today representing the sector that is perhaps our national hero’s favorite—the youth. Upon receiving the invitation to speak here today for Davao City’s commemoration of the 151st birth anniversary of Rizal, I immediately gave a resounding “yes” because this is an opportunity to let the world know on how our national hero has stroked a chord of inspiration among us.