Davao Oriental - The Islands' Ethnic Charmer

It is said that Davao Oriental is one of the best kept secrets of the country. The province is a place where man and nature perfectly coexists. Here, the locals have kept the peace and beauty of the lush forests of Davao Oriental. Among its main caretakers are the members of the Mandaya Tribe.

Its natural beauty is incomparable to other places. Davao Oriental has sites that will surely cater to the fantasies of a wandering tourist seeking new adventures and experiences. Its famed sites include the Mandaya village, Philippine Eagle Sanctuary, Caraga Church, and the Bonsai Forest.

Demographics

1. Population – 486, 104 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area –5, 670.07 sq. km
3. Capital – Mati
4. Language/Dialect – Cebuano, Davaoeno, English, and Filipino
5. Divisions

Cities (0)

Municipalities (11)

• Baganga
• Banaybanay
• Boston
• Caraga
• Cateel
• Gov. Generoso
• Lupon
• Manay
• Mati
• San Isidro
• xi. Tarragona

a. Pusan Point
? This is where the sun “rises” first and thus where day begins in the Philippines.

b. Mandaya Tribe
? The Mandayas' unadulterated culture and traditions are still very evident in their day-to-day lives. Weaving of "dagmay" (Mandaya cloth) and beading of beads are the main sources of income of the folks.

c. Aliwagwag Falls
? It is considered as one the most beautiful waterfalls in the country.

d. Philippine Eagle Sanctuary
? It is the first forest area in the Philippines set aside for the conservation of a threatened raptor species.

e. Caraga Church
? It is the oldest church in Mindanao. Baptismal records in the church are very old and well preserved that the records the names of proselytized Mandaya natives of Davao are still there.

Cultural

i. Mandaya Village
Location: Brgy. Pichon, Caraga, Davao Oriental
? Their unadulterated culture and traditions are still very evident in their day-to-day lives. Weaving of "dagmay" (Mandaya cloth) and beading of beads are the main sources of income of the folks. The area, being in a mountain, is cool.

ii. Mandaya Weaving and Beading Center
Location: Provincial Tourism Complex, Mati, Davao Oriental
? A one-stop-shop of novelty items and native delicacies. It also serves as a showcase of Mandaya culture to guests and visitors.

Historical

i. San Salvador del Mundo Church (Caraga Church)
Location: Caraga, Davao Oriental
? It houses the 1802 Church Bell brought by the friars from Spain along with the antique image of San Isidro Labrador and other ancient files and archives. The baptismal registry from year 1835 up to present is still intact. These documents proved that from 1835 up to 1846, the places of Baganga, Manay and Mati used to register their newly baptized inhabitants at Caraga church. Part of the convent was used as a prison cell during the Spanish times.

ii. Pusan Point
Location: Brgy. Santiago, Caraga, Davao Oriental
? According to PAGASA, sunrise in Pusan Point comes three minutes earlier than in its neighbor Davao City, and eight minutes earlier than the sunrise in Manila.

iii. Saoquegue Cave
Location: Brgy. Saoquegue, Caraga, Davao Oriental
? Artifacts, jars, porcelain and potteries were found in the cave. These items are now in display in the area.

Man-made

i. Menzi Tourism Complex
Location: Mati, Davao Oriental
? The area is overlooking the vast rolling terrain planted with the famous Menzi mango and pomelo fruits planted by the Menzi Farmers Cooperative. The site has been developed to serve as the major tourist accommodation and convention facilities of the province.

ii. Provincial Capitol Park
Location: Mati, Davao Oriental
? The park houses the Provincial Capitol Building, some local and national government offices. The area is situated on a hilltop overlooking the town and the Pujada Bay. It has a park and a skating rink. A favorite strolling grounds for local residents.

Natural

i. Aliwagwag Falls
Location: Brgy. Aliwagwag, Cateel, Davao Oriental
? Its towering waterfalls are considered by hydraulic engineers as the highest in the country. It has a series of 84 cascading falls appearing like stairway to the sky in various heights and among the steps hanging from 6 ft. to 100 ft. and 20 meters in width.

ii. Philippine Eagle Sanctuary
Location: Brgy. Cabuaya and Luban Mati, Davao Oriental
? The sanctuary covers 7,000 hectares of tropical forests This sanctuary is a joint initiative of the City Government of Mati, the Barangay Local Government (BLG) of Cabuaya, the Philippine Eagle Foundation, and the regional offices of the DENR, PNP, NCIP, DOT and DILG. The sanctuary has eagles Cabu, Aya and Cabuaya. Very recently, Cabu & Aya gave birth to another sibling.

iii. Mt. Hamiguitan Bonsai Forest
Location: Brgy. La Union, San Isidro, Davao Oriental
? At 1,650 feet above sea level, one can found more than a thousand hectares of 2-3 ft. tall century-old trees that are very sturdy that one can literally stand over it without falling. The area is a favorite camping site of many local and foreign tourists, mountaineering enthusiasts, biologists, orniterologists and plain adventure-seeking people.

iv. Tinagong Dagat
Location: Boundary of San Isidro and Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental
? The area is uninhabited and is considered as one of the most puzzling phenomena of nature. The water, reportedly, has its high tide and low tide schedule.

v. Sigaboy Island
Location: Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental
? It is a 30-hectare islet of lush tropical foliage with white sand beach, strong currents and deep waters, ideal for fishing, coral and shell hunting.

vi. Sigaboy Island
Location: Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental
? It is a 30-hectare islet of lush tropical foliage with white sand beach, strong currents and deep waters, ideal for fishing, coral and shell hunting.

vii. Sigaboy Island
Location: Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental
? It is a 30-hectare islet of lush tropical foliage with white sand beach, strong currents and deep waters, ideal for fishing, coral and shell hunting.

viii. Waniban Island
Location: Mati, Davao Oriental
? It is a 4-hectare islet with white sand beach along the shoreline. Rest house made of nipa benches and kiosks are to be constructed.

ix. Burias Islet
Location: Banaybanay, Davao Oriental
? It is a 1-hectare islet of pure white sand available during low and minimal tide. Ideal place for swimming and sunbathing away from the noise and haste of modern lives. Seashells abound on this place.

x. Dahican Beach
Location: Mati, Davao Oriental
? It became popular for its exceptionally long stretch of powdery white-sand shoreline and gently blowing breeze from the Pacific Ocean. Ideal for wind surfing and skim boarding because its waves are comparable to those in Hawaii

xi. Calapagan Hot Spring
Location: Lupon, Davao Oriental
? Hot mineral water surrounds the woodlands and a river exists near the hot spring. It is ideal site for swimming and hunting for small games.

Religious

i. Cape of San Agustin
Location: Boundary of Mati and Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental
? This is where St. Francis Xavier supposed to have said his first mass. A lighthouse stands at the site.

ii. Altar Cave of San Agustin
Location: Boundary of Mati and Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental
? The altar, naturally made up of stones, is approximate 60 feet high above the shoreline. Its mid-section has an estimated floor area of 18 sq. m. Facing the Pacific Ocean, an eight hundred meter length of fine white sand along the beach spread at the right and left side of the altar, respectively.

a. Bauldayawan Festival
Place: San Isidro, Davao Oriental
Date: Third week of June
? The festival serves as a thanksgiving for the year’s good harvest. Baul is from the Mandaya word for farm, da is from dagat or sea, and yawan means to keep. Street dancing, float parade, agri-trade fiar and cultural presentations highlight the yearly event.

b. Banayan Festival
Place: Banaybanay, Davao Oriental
Date: Third week of October
? It is a thanksgiving celebration for the town’s bountiful harvests, rice in particular. Activities include agri-industrial fair/exhibit, cultural/tribal shows and presentations, ethnic/tribal street dancing competition, and sports fest.

c. Sambukokan Festival
Place: Matil, Davao Oriental
Date: Last week of October
? Sambuokan is derived from the word ”buok”, a Mandaya term that literally means “one”. The 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 – Street dancing Competition, and fun-filled nightly activities.