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First step on Pujada Island
By Mai B. Gevera
Davao City (29 June 2005) -- It took me 23 years before discovering a treasure only right before my eyes.

Staying in the municipality of Mati, Davao Oriental for 16 long years, I snubbed the beauty that could surpass the Island of Samal and even the famous Boracay Island.

Until I left my good old town to study college in the city, I still haven't stepped foot on Pujada Island, Mati's very own.

City friends would ask me how beautiful it is, but I usually fail them with my answer, " I haven't been there yet."

Yes, I could be mocked for not even attempting to feel the pure white sand and the clearness of its blue waters.

People may laugh at me after knowing that the island can already be reached by my eyes with our home, just several meters away from the Pujada bay shoreline.

It's not because I simply don't have environmental appreciation, or I don't possess an eye for beauty, or that I just hated everything about my hometown.

It boils down to one stupid phobia. I can't call it hydrophobia because I even love hopping one island to another in Samal. The "whatever" phobia all began from a frightful experience that almost caused my death on our way to one of the islands near Pujada. Riding on a small motor water boat, the wild waves looked like some bloody water that pulls me to an entirely different world.

When my company reached the port, I totally lost the enthusiasm to go visit the three famous islands in Pujada bay: Pujada island, Waniban island, and the disappearing Oak island.

This time, Davao media friends would laugh no more. During our coverage for the 2nd Pujada Bay Festival, I was forced to overcome my fear of crossing the island.

Seeing the Patrol speed boat of LGU-Mati, I easily gathered strength to join the group and board the boat.

An hour of travel seemed to be too short with all the interesting sites that busied the travelers. Along the way we passed by the line of resorts of the famous Masao. Colorful flaglets and the number of floating cottages signal the booming resort industry in the said town.

The team also passed by tanned fishermen busy gathering fishcatch which they named " tulingan". A matter of sea protocol, the fishermen raised some of their catch, a sign that they are giving some fish to the travelers.

First island stop is Waniban, twice smaller than Pujada, Then the boat proceeded to the so-called Oak Island, very similar to Camiguin's White Island. It boasts of white sands and a single "talisay" tree which disappears during high tide.

Right next to it stands the untapped Pujada Island, a private property owned by the famous Angliongtos of Davao City. Visitors immediately dipped into the crystal clear waters while some marveled in the wide land area near the shore and took shots of rare plant and animal species.

Everything in Pujada is still on its raw form. It can be best described as a "virgin island."

One of the best attractions, as visitors would say, is the sighting of dolphins. We waited a couple of hours, and whistled to get their attention, but no dolphin seemed to be around. It was then learned that we were too late to watch them. Dolphins are usually sighted from 10:00 am to noon time.

On our way back, we took the other route, passing the "sleeping dinosaur" island. It is a must-see figure, best seen on its top-view, before travelers reach the town of Mati.

It only took me a whole afternoon to realize how bare those 23 long years I spent as a Matinian sans this experience. (PIA/ Mai B. Gevera)

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