THE OFFICIAL WEB SITE OF MATI

DAVAO ORIENTAL

Welcome to the City of Mati, a part of the prosperous and peaceful Davao region. Bounded in the east by the great Pacific Ocean, scenic Mati embraces the majestic Pujada Bay. . . .

EVENTS

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN MATI...

SAMBUOKAN FESTIVAL PREPARATIONS ARE UNDERWAY

9/3/2010

As early as last month of August, preparations are now underway for the staging of this year`s colorful 10TH Sambuokan Festival with several events calendared for a week - long celebration in October. This was revealed by Mati Mayor Michelle N. Rabat in a Media Forum called for just recently. After a series of meetings conducted by the LGU – Mati chaired by Mayor Michelle N. Rabat, the different committees created for this year`s Sambuokan Festival came up with various activities of the week-long celebration that will start on October 26 to October 29, 2010.

DELEGATES OF MINDANAO TRAVEL AND TOUR EXPO2010

8/31/2010

The delegates of the recently concluded Mindanao Travel and Tour Expo (MTTE) 2010 at the Davao Convention Center, Davao City, over the weekend. Mati Mayor Michelle N. Rabat, poses with other local officials includes Banaybanay Mayor Pete Mejos, San Isidro Mayor Edgar Saulon, 2nd Dist. B.M Eric N. Rabat, Mary Ann Lopez Valverde, MTTA member and other delegates. (Photo:CIO Mati)

< September 2010 >

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

SAMBUOKAN FESTIVAL

10/24-29/2009

SAMBUOKAN (oneness/unity) is derived from the word ”buok”, a mandaya term that literally means “one”. Mandaya is the ethnic group that inhabited mostly in the hinterlands of Davao Oriental.

Sambuokan Festival is the showcase of Mati’s diverse culture and tradition, sports and adventure. It is also an expression of thanksgiving. This is a weeklong celebration observed during the commemoration of the founding anniversary of the Municipality of Mati every 29th of October . This festival is highlighted with neo-ethnic Indak-Indak-Streetdancing Competition, and fun-filled nightly activities. It is also characterized by investment and promotions as one of the major tourism event by establishing an annual tiangge sa sambuokan.

Sambuokan Festival marks its 9th year, generating thousands of visitors and guest from all over the country each year. Aside from merry-making and thanksgiving ceremonies, Sambuokan basically evolves its concept each year on the priority programs of the local government that greatly benefit the people of Mati, with the support of various national agencies, people’s organization, academe, businessmen and private individuals.

Year 2001 is the birth of Sambuokan Festival, 2002- launching as a Festival of Unity, 2003- as Sport Festival by hosting the Mindanao Friendship Games, 2004- as the Country’s Coconut Capital, 2005-as the new Sanctuary of the Philippine Eagle, 2006- as a vibrant town into a city, 2007- “Ang Pagkamugna sa Mati”, and 2008- as a Celebration of Mati’s 105 years of Existence and 2009 is dedicated to the Founder of this Festival of Unity - the late Madam Edith Nakpil Rabat. Sambuokan is Edith Rabat that brought unity and substance in every celebration of the Araw ng Mati and this years` celebration evolves in the theme "Kinabuhi aw Kultura, Gasa ni Magbabaya which means "Life and Culture are Gifts from God". Thanks God for the life of Madam Edith - an epitome of culture and style.

For the past nine years, Sambuokan has gained its ground through its strategies and projects that leaves a mark in the tourism industry as one of the alternative tourist destination in the country. Sambuokan is not just a festival but a manifestation of how government works for its constituents.