MATI - PROVINCE OF DAVAO ORIENTAL

Francisco "Frankie/Paking" Rabat - 1953-1956 (Dubbed by the sports press as the Rajah of Rebounds; member, 1954 Philippine national basketball team - 3rd place, FIBA World Championship in Brazil; member, Ateneo Blue Eagle team, 1953 and 1954 NCAA Champions; Former Governor of Davao Oriental and Mayor of Mati City)

"There's no place like home" and first City Mayor of Mati Francisco "Paking" Rabat has proven this proverbial saying to be true. He boasts that being the capital of the province of Davao Oriental, Mati only deserves to be a city. Rabat got the accolade as the "Rajah of Rebound" being a part of the national basketball team who brought home a bronze medal in the Brazil Olympics back in 1954. As a sports buff, he was responsible in bringing to Mati the 2003 Mindanao Friendship Games, where he got reunited with a long-time friend, Mr. Caloy Loyzaga, who graced the opening of the Mindanao Friendship Games. In the 2007 local elections, Rabat should have sought for re-election, and could have scored another landslide win, but a medical check-up in Manila proved to be a blessing in disguise. It was in there when his doctors discovered that he has lung cancer, and was advised to immediately undergo chemo therapy. As such, Rabat made an emotional farewell to the people of Mati, as he revealed his health condition, and in as much as he still wants to serve, but he has to fight for his life.
He said that all his life he has been helping people, and nothing compares to the happiness in so doing. "It's now time that I will be the one to ask all of you a favor, even to my political opponents, please pray for me, "he pleaded with a broken voice”. And the people of Mati did not fail Mayor Paking, as daughter Michelle repeated history through a resounding victory in the election. He is larger than life, and there will only be one Mayor Paking. Now as he enjoys more the wonder of life, Rabat disclosed that he is always in touch with his Creator.