DAVAO CITY — No word can best describe the experience of the divers who joined the recently concluded first freediving festival in Mati City in Davao Oriental.
On September 25 and 26, some sixty five (65) diver explored the underwater wonders of Mati City when it held the first free diving festival held at Sunrise Yoga.
Participants also had freediving Pilates activities, underwater photography and videography workshop was also held at Dahican Beach and Waniban Island.
The bays of Davao Oriental are known for its beauty and wonders, a reason why many divers enjoy the Davao Oriental shores, which is also recognized by international tourism organizations.
Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon said the Bay Deep Mati Freediving is an introduction to what Davao Oriental can offer. With Mati City being the first city in the Philippines to regulate freediving as a sport, other similar endeavors in more potential tourism destinations surely will follow suit,” said Governor Malanyaon.
In an interview, Mayor Michelle Rabat said the Department of Tourism-Davao Region (DOT-11) intends to put Mati on the tourism map with the event and at the same time, flaunt the beauty of Pujada Bay.
“We want to position Mati as a tourism hub to invite foreigners and other diving enthusiasts,” she said.
the region, the event showcased the beauty of Pujada Bay, one of the most beautiful bays in the world.
People of Davao Oriental, Malanyaon said takes the pride and honor as the push that the province be branded as “Davao Oriental Beautiful.”
The Governor lauded Mati City Mayor Mayor Michelle Rabat, and the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region XI Regional Director Tanya Rabat-Tan for successfully organizing the event .
The freediving event was held on September 25-26, 2022, and was participated in by local and foreign divers who discovered, explored, and experienced the magnificence of Pujada Bay’s underwater paradise.
Mayor Rabat said the Department of Tourism-Davao Region (DOT-11) intends to put Mati on the tourism map with the event and at the same time, flaunt the beauty of Pujada Bay.
“We want to position Mati as a tourism hub to invite foreigners and other diving enthusiasts,” she said.
Rabat encouraged freediving enthusiast to likewise explore Mayo and Balete bays.
Tourism regional director Tanya Rabat-Tan, said the event is a proof that tourism is bouncing back after the coronavirus pandemic.-with report from DavOr PIO
