Alive in Retrospect: A Day at Pujada Island, Mati Davao Oriental

I've heard about Pujada Island from my cousins every time I go to Mati. I've been wanting to go there but my cousins said it's not easy to go to because you have to rent a boat and cross seas. For some reasons, I gave up the idea of going there.

But not until my office mates planned a trip to Mati last July 2012 that my petty fantasy came to life. Wiwit, a close colleague whose family hails from Mati, planned a two-day Mati Marathon with a few friends. A trip to Pujada Island was part of the itinerary. We were all ecstatic, especially me, since I've never really had the chance to wander most of Mati's waters even if my relatives are from the province.

On a cold and drizzling early Sunday morning, we departed Sitio Wagon - the place where we spent Saturday night. We rode a small pump boat that only holds 2-4 passengers. It was my first time to ride a bangka as small as that and it thrilled me because we had to cross seas and I don't even know how to swim. As we slowly departed the shore, the waters' color changed from green to blue green to deep blue. Thankfully, even if it was raining, the waves were calm. The trip to Pujada Island was 15-20 minutes.

For the seasoned bangkeros, the trip was like eating peanuts; but for horrified first-timers like me, the journey felt like forever.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of chasing waves, a glimpse of the island's white sand shore replaced my restless nerves with relief. At last, “sand!”, I told myself. Hurriedly, we jumped off from the bangka to set foot on its powdery sands, a move that caused a bruise on my right knee. But I'm no complainer. We were like little kids who were excitedly waiting for the rest of our companions to arrive. It was still drizzling when we reached the island, but the weather didn't stop us from enjoying the rest of the place.

True to what my cousins told me, Pujada Island is not easy to go to. It was considerably far but the purely unexploited paradise makes it all worth the travel. No one lives in here so no touch of human exploitation traced the island. We were the only people who went there, along with the friendly bangkeros and Wiwit's relatives who enthusiastically accompanied us in our wandering.

If you plan to stay longer, just make sure that you bring your own foods and drinks because there are no stores in the place. Grilled foods are always best in beach settings – don't forget to bring matches/lighters and other things you need for cooking and eating.

The water was clean and crystal clear. It was a perfect Sunday getaway because it seemed like we were so far from civilization and it felt like the island was made exclusive for us (even though we know it's not). And so from 7-11am, we submerged ourselves to the tantalizing waters of Pujada Island. We'd only get up when it's time to eat, then we'd be back to the waters again. Yeah, my friends are water maniacs, just so you know! Of course, pictorials and wacky sessions consumed our time too!

Just before we were about to go home, the bangkeros suggested a place that we must visit – the White Island (Isla putting Baass) or what some would call the Vanishing Island. With a blissful heart, we ventured into another unforgettable boat ride and acquired an experience so memorable we would forever bring with us.

Pujada Island is one of Mati's pride. It is not commercialized; no entrance fees, no cottages. The only living creature we saw on the island, aside from ourselves, was the dog that freely roamed around the place. I just hope Pujada Island stays the same in the years to come.

The trees and wildflowers that sprouted in the island, the serene surroundings, the peaceful slapping of waves onto the powdery shore – all these make Pujada Island a one-of-a-kind destination that lures tourists and locals alike. I'd love to come back to this uninhabited haven some time soon and I'd want to see it as innocent and virgin as it is from the time I walked on its fateful sands.