9TH SAMBUOKAN FESTIVAL AND 106TH ARAW NG MATI CELEBRATION: A CHALLENGE AND COMMITMENT TO REMAIN ONE
11/3/2009
by Neela G. Duallo“We are one, and we will remain as one”.
Such was the substance of the said celebration for the local officials and the people of Mati.
Indeed, the 9th Sambuokan Festival and the 106th Araw ng Mati celebration were a resounding success..
The major activities of the twin celebration, the Indak-Indak sa Sambuokan, Sambuokan Village, and the 106th Araw ng Mati conveyed the message of livig up to the real essence of Sambuokan, and that is unity, oneness, and teamwork amid diverisity.
The streetdancers in the Indak-Indak sa Sambuokan again manifested the rich culture of Mati, and as their body moves gracefully fron one step to another, the desire for perfection, for uniqueness, and camaderie was exuding in their faces, not minding the ravenous heat of the scorching sun.
The Sambuokan Village showed the oneness of all the 26 barangays for the good and the best of Mati.
Originally, the plan was to cluster the 26 barangays, but the barangays preferred to install their sambuokan booth individually.
The call of the Sambuokan Village was for the barangays to be enterprising, and to let their creativity and ingenuity shine.
“We wanted this years Trade Fair to be different, and so we hurled the challenge to the barangays of being enterprising. And we are happy that there are already more products displayed this time, including processed foods, which meant that they were heeding to the call,” said Mr. Jun Cruz of the Dept. of Trade and Industry-Dvo Or Provincial Office.
The 106th Araw ng Mati was a confirmation to what Mati hopes to be in the years to come.
Attended by the different heads of Offices and their staff, provincial and local officials, and representatives of the diffeent sectors in society, the celebration was a celebration of the two years of union, of the two years of understanding, and of two years of supporting each other among the local officials.
“I will not fail my father. Mayor Paking Rabat started it all when he invited former Congressman and now Vice-Governor for dinner in 2001. Being the stateman that my father was, and being the gentleman that Vice-Gov. Mayo Almario is, they agreed to let bygones be bygones and move ahead as one for Mati,” Mayor Michelle Rabat said.
“We have to remain as “sambuok” or one. We have proven that we can do so many things together. But there is still a lot to be done for Mati, and we can only realize our dreams for Mati if we continue to be one,” added Vice-Gov. Mayo Almario.
He explained that there are already many speculations as to what the political scenario of Davao Oriental will be in 2010.
“But let me tell you that for the first time since we were elected into Office, we talked about politics just very recently. And in the talk, it was overwhelmingly agreed that the group will still be one,” he stressed.
Almario hopes that his statement will now end all specutions of a possible break-up in 2010.
Other activities in the 9th Sambuokan Festival were the Bakbakan sa Baywalk, Kultura at Turismo, Pasadahan Basketball Tournament, Rock-Rockan sa Sambuokan, Senior Citizens Day, SMB Sambuokan Fest, Kiddie Fair, Coop Medical Mission-Blood Sugar Screening, Kultura at Turismo, DMI Dance for a Cause, Inter-Barnagay Firefighting Combat Challenge, andd the 4th SK Cheerdance Showdown.
People from all walks of life enjoyed the festivity, even until the late hours, feeling they are just taking what they rightfuly deserve, enjoying the time with their family and friends.
In a strong conclusion, Mayor Michelle Rabat said that only death can hinder the progress of Mati, as brought about by unity, unity that results to political maturity.