Matanos, Samal's little secret

photo by Hannah Cano

They call it Matanos. It's a small beach located at the southeastern side of Kaputian district in the Island Garden City of Samal. Matanos is the name of a sitio or purok under Barangay San Remigio.

It is quite isolated, accessible by not-so good roads which make travel conducive only for sturdy 4x4s or habal-habal motorcycles. It takes about 20-30 minutes of travel from Kaputian poblacion before you reach Alorro Beach. The roads and its isolation makes it a less crowded destination than Samal's west coast.

Because there are no crowds which usher in development, Matanos coastline is relatively unspoiled. There are no irritating jetties that block the beaches, only natural coves provide barriers to more secluded beaches.

A portion of the beach belongs to the estate of the Alorro family. one of the Alorro scions, Gagets is friend of mine. My first visit to the beach was in late 2006, where we got to shoot a short film project.

In 2010, I managed to convince my friends Hannah, Ramir, Marc Faith and Bapi to return to Matanos for a music video project.

The music video was to be entered into a Davao City music video competition. The concept of the video as heavily-inspired by the Judy Ann Santos movie Ploning. Actually Matanos had been the shooting locations  of some Davao indie films.  

Well aside from the music video, one major reason we went there was really to enjoy Matanos. Aside from the white sand beaches and  the clean blue waters the place had a bucolic charm attached to it. It was like going to some sort of an idyllic fishing village far from civilization. It you're tired of the crowded, fenced-in beach resorts of Samal's more popular western coast then you might try to consider taking an alternative track to Matanos.

By the way, Alorro Beach offers cheap but clean and comfortable accommodation facilities like huts (with toilet and bathroom, a choice of airconditioned and non-aircon). Meals can also be arranged. Gaget's mom, prepares one of the best kinilaw I've tasted.