Sambuokan Festival ignites unity for Mati
By Neela G. Duallo
City of Mati, Davao Oriental (25 October) -- Looking back to its humble pre-beginnings, the Sambuokan Festival takes center stage again as the prime tourism activity of the City of Mati.
The city government of Mati is now at the verge of preparation for the 104th Araw ng Mati and 7th Sambuokan Festival on October 29, 2007.
Highlight the celebration is the "Indak-Indak" sa Dalan", a street dancing competition to be participated by fourteen teams from the city.
The dances will revolve around the rich history of the City of Mati.
The festival started with a dream for unity, and a desire to have a fabulous celebration for the Araw ng Mati.
To achieve the purpose, series of meeting were conducted by the local government.
In one of the meetings, a proposal to have a street dancing extravaganza surfaced an activity that will give color to the celebration of the Araw ng Mati.
With the proposal accepted, the next move was to give a name to the dancing extravaganza.
There were many suggested names, but SAMBUOKAN prevailed.
Though it really is a native name, but it speaks of what the local government of Mati aims for, lasting unity and peace.
Sambuokan is from the Visayan word "buok" which means "one".
The local government then, thought it was over, not until they noticed that the festivity was responded only by the people in the local government..
As such, all the efforts were exerted to explain to the people that Sambuokan Festival is for all the people of Mati.
Sambuokan Festival then became a Sambuokan of politics, politics of accepting people from all walks of life, and from different denominations and economic status.
Seven years after, the Sambuokan Festival gained the honor of being second to the most participated and renowned Kadayawan Festival of Davao City.
The Festival has gained the respect of the people, including visitors and spectators.
Every step, every body movement, and the costumes of the dancers made meticulously and creatively, of the dancers speak of struggles, determination, and loyalty to Mati.
Mayor Michelle Rabat said that Sambuokan is here to stay, and it's message of unity and peace.
The twin-celebration this year will be a farewell celebration for the Mati as a municipality.
In next year's celebration of Araw ng Mati and Sambuokan Festival, another history unfolds for Mati as a new component city. (DXHM-PIA XI) [top]