Commentary Spiels Viewdeck Sleeping Dinosaur
About the Viewdeck & Logistics - Simulating Arrival at Terminal
Tour Guide: We are now simulating our arrival after the long journey from Davao.
Alright everyone, we’ve pulled into Mati City. This is your last quick stop before heading up to the
viewpoint!
Tourist Response: Thanks for the heads up! We should grab water and snacks now, right? How
much longer is the ride up to the deck?
Tour Guide: Exactly! Stock up now. For the final leg from Mati City proper to the Badas Point
viewing deck. 20-30 minutes rides.
Introduction of tour guiding in viewdeck sleeping dinosaur
Tour Guide: Mabuhay, Madayaw! Good morning everyone, and welcome to one of Mati City’s
most captivating natural landmarks. The Viewdeck of the Sleeping Dinosaur! I am your guide,
Jeann Ligutan but you can call me “Jeyan”, and with me are my colleagues from Group 1 Carlo,
Lucel, , Jasmine, and Jeboy. We are excited to share the history and beauty of this incredible site
today.
Tour Guide: Our journey today covers ten amazing landmarks, and we are starting right here at
the magnificent Sleeping Dinosaur Viewdeck!
Tourist Response: wow 10 landmarks, we’re excited to know that each landmarks!
Driver Welcome Integration
Tour Guide: But first i want to introduce you to our trusted local driver for the day, Kuya Ben! Kuya
Ben has been driving routes around the Mati Public Terminal for years, he knows these roads like
the back of his hand. He’s the one who navigated us through the city and up to this stunning
viewpoint.
Tourist Response: kuya Ben looks like a veteran driver! He handled those turns perfectly.
Tour Guide: He really is! He’s been essential in connecting tourists to spots like this for a long
time. Thank you so much, Kuya Ben, for getting us here smoothly!
Tourist Response: So, after this, Kuya Ben will be taking us to the next spot?
Tour Guide: That’s right! Kuya Ben will be our transport for the entire tour today. But for now, let’s
focus on this incredible view!
Transitioning to the Viewpoint (Leaving Mati terminal)
Tour Guide: Everyone ready? As we leave the city center and head south towards Barangay
Dawan, get ready to see the main attraction!
Tourist Response: I see the water! Is that it already?
Tour Guide: Almost! Along the way, you'll catch glimpses of Mati’s vibrant coastal life. The
landmark you are looking for is the designated viewing deck right beside the highway where we
will stop. That's where we get the best view of the Sleeping Dinosaur Island, which is actually a
peninsula!
Tourist Response: That's excellent news! I'm excited to see Mati's coastal life in action as we
drive-that sounds like a great preview.
Tour Guide: Yes! So Here’s a little Reminders for going to the Viewdeck sleeping dinosaur
Don't lean or climb on the seawall/railing because you might fall off. Stay behind the
designated viewing line for safety.
Keep the area clean. Unauthorized solid waste disposal is a major threat to conservation
here.
It’s a prime spot for photography and enjoying panoramic vistas of Pujada Bay.
It can get hot consider bringing water and maybe a hat, as one tourist suggested building
shaded cottages!
Tourist Response: Thanks for the reminders you shared in the Viewdeck Sleeping Dinosaur!
Noted.
Already covered in the Viewdeck Sleeping Dinosaur
Tour Guide: So here we are! Welcome to Viewdeck Sleeping dinosaur! Let's start with About the
Viewdeck. As you can see, Sleeping Dinosaur Island which is technically a peninsula iis famous
for its distinct shape resembling a dinosaur resting on its belly. It's visible right from this highway
viewpoint!
Tourist Response: Wow, the shape is incredible! What are the coordinates again? It looks so
remote.
Tour Guide: That's a great question! The location is Barangay Badas, City of Mati, Davao
Oriental, specifically at coordinates 6°53'10.352"N, 126°11'2.66" E. The entire area spans about
579 hectares. The land formation itself is stunning, shaped like a plesiosaur, with its head, body,
and tail clearly defined.
Tourist Reponse: Before we get too distracted by the view, how long does it take to get here
from Davao City?
Tour Guide: Excellent point on logistics! To reach Mati City from Davao City's Ecoland Terminal,
expect a bus ride of about 4 hours. Once you arrive in Mati City proper, you'll need a local ride a
bus, tricycle, or habal-habal to get up to the Badas Point viewing deck. It's a short ride from the city
center, but remember to haggle for the best fare!
Activities & What to Expect
Tour Guide: Now that we know how to get here, let's talk about what you can enjoy! The main
activities are Photography, as this spot offers breathtaking backdrops; Hiking along coastal trails
for panoramic views; and pure Relaxation enjoying the sea breeze.
Tourist Response: Are the hiking trails difficult? I'm interested in seeing more of the coastline.
Tour Guide: The trails offer great views, but they can be rugged. We always advise staying on the
designated paths. We also often recommend pairing this visit with nearby attractions like Pujada
Island or Pusan Point if you have the time!
Stories & History
Tour Guide: The Sleeping Dinosaur is more than just a beautiful view; it's steeped in local lore
and history. It is locally known as Taytay Daga.
Tourist Response: I read something about the name Tay-tay Daga. What is the story behind it?
Tour Guide: That's fascinating you brought that up! The name Tay-tay Daga is derived from the
Mandaya dialect, referring to an oral tradition about a maiden, sometimes described as a white
lady, seen traversing the ridgelines, especially during a full moon.
Tourist Response: Did this area have any military significance?
Tour Guide: Yes, it did. Historically, the coastal fringes served as strategic docking points for
Imperial Japanese naval vessels during World War II. Furthermore, it was sacred ancestral ground
for Indigenous communities long before that. It truly is a place layered with meaning.
Significance
Tour Guide: To summarize its value, the Sleeping Dinosaur holds three layers of significance:
1. Aesthetic: It’s unique "zoomomorphic" geological features integrated with Pujada Bay make
it a primary asset for the region.
2. Historical & Social: It's a physical record of maritime activity and remains an ancestral
domain.
3. Spiritual: The site preserves Mandaya oral traditions and is home to a communal Muslim
Cemetery, reflecting the area's religious diversity.
Conservation
Tour Guide: Protecting this landmark is crucial. It is formally recognized under Resolution No.61,
Series of 2019, as a Significant Cultural Property of the City of Mati.
Tourist Response: What are the biggest threats to the formation right now?
Tour Guide: We face both natural and human-made challenges. Naturally, there is high
vulnerability to seismic activity, typhoons, and drought. Anthropogenically, unauthorized solid
waste disposal and kaingin, or slash-and-burn farming, lead to soil erosion and habitat loss.
Tourist Reponse: What is being done to protect it?
Tour Guide: The current management is spearheaded by the Local Government Unit of Barangay
Badas, working closely with the City Eco-Tourism Office. Long-term preservation is built into the
City's Comprehensive EcoTourism Development Plan.
Mapping Summary
Tour Guide: Just a quick recap on getting here from the city center. From the Mati Public
Terminal, it's only about 11 kilometers to the Viewdeck. Local transport like buses or Bao Bao
tricycles will cost you roughly 20 to 50 pesos and take about 20 to 35 minutes. Just make sure the
driver drops you off at the “Sleeping Dinosaur" viewing deck in Barangay Badas!
Tourist Response: That's helpful! So, if I'm already in Mati City, I should expect aquick, affordable
ride-maybe around 30 minutes just by telling the driver I need the 'Sleeping Dinosaur' viewing deck
in Barangay Badas. That sounds much easier than the long trip from Davao!
Tour Guide:Exactly! Quick and easy once you're in Mati. Glad the mapping section was clear for
local travel
Tour Guide Final Closing
Tour Guide: That concludes our overview of the Sleeping Dinosaur Viewdeck. We hope this
tourguiding has inspired you to visit this majestic guardian of Mati's heritage. Thank you all for your
attention!