Skimboarding at Dahican Mati

Skimboarding at Dahican Mati

Skimboarding is a foreign island for me, but I am long attracted to movement—beautiful, purposeful movements. So it did not come out as a shock when most of the photos I took at Dahican focused on one particular athlete.

My camera instantly followed his movements—fluid  against the waves. He simply stood out. I later found out, he is Sonny Boy aka Bayugyog—a local word for capri—the 19-year-old who made Dahican, Mati, Davao Oriental the skimboarding capital of the country.

 ***

Beautiful detours are often last-minute decisions.

I intended to spend the entire five-day trip at Cateel, Davao Oriental—one of the places where Pablo (Bopha) poured out its unanticipated fury to the equally unprepared Cateel, Banganga, and Compostela Valley. Instead of taking the shorter route (Davao City-Compostela Valley-Cateel), I took the longer one (Davao City-Mati-Cateel). My supposed one-night stay at Dahican became two. I spent my time talking with Amihan Boys and the locals including the drunk Carding, taking photographs,  walking, female gazing, and (controlled) flirting. 😉

I went fishing as well (more like photographing the act of fishing). And I was the only woman in a sea of 30 men. It might take time for me to write the narrative (as always). 

These past few months I have encountered a number of stories worthy to be written. But I am aware that I do not have the grasp of language yet.

So I will let the memory filters these stories and let the photos console me for the time being.

Jona | Backpacking with a Book

Hi there, I’m Jona! I’m in my early 30s and is currently based in Ha Noi, Vietnam.I primarily write poetry and short stories in Cebuano and lengthy travel essays in English. Blogging has become an outlet to think out loud. I live the life I set for myself. I try to live an unapologetic life. For collaborations, projects, and other things, please email me at backpackingwithabook@gmail.com. Find me somewhere else!

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