I’m back now after reading the draft of the 124-page “Ploning” written and soon-to-be directed by Dante Nico Garcia a.k.a. Angga. It felt like reading a book!
Two or three days ago, I was with Angga. We strolled along the airport area hoping to find the perfect location for our future bar-cafe which we will most likely call “Tabirab” because we find the name cute and has a lot of character. In Cuyunon, one of the vernaculars we speak here in Palawan, it means “I don’t know about you or I don’t believe you.” If I say: “Elam kanimo, ang katabirab kaw!” that would be saying “I don’t know about you, baloney!”
This photo of Angga was stolen from his Friendster profile. His hair is no longer like this. I told him I want this hair back because it’s full of character. Angga is, of course, the writer of Ploning. He will soon direct the movie too!
We were with Emilyn, Malou and Ruth that sunny afternoon. Rash, another friend, who’s interested to partner with us in this bar-cafe was somewhere we don’t know. I couldn’t wait for her since I hate waiting, especially when I’m early or on time, so I cajoled everyone to do the foot trip without her.
Angga, Ruth and I and the rest of the foot gang were eying this particular place where there’s still a souvenir shop. Before we even got there, we met Redempto D. Anda a.k.a. Dempto, my mentor and former editor in Palawan Sun. He was riding his mountain bike, and that day too, he won the essay contest for the media sponsored by Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. and the Provincial Information Office.
It was Dempto to whom I sent Angga’s first and second drafts of Ploning a few weeks ago. That afternoon was an opportunity for me to introduce Angga to him since he told me he’s very interested to make a review of the future movie in his blog here at wordpress. But he said he hasn’t read it yet because he was busy.
Angga with popular Philippine actress Judy Ann Santos who will play the part of Ploning. He’s best friends with her; for friends money isn’t a matter of importance just to do a film that primarily seeks to promote the unique culture and traditions of the Cuyunons of Palawan. I stole this picture too from his Friendster. This was taken when they were filming “Ouija.”
The meeting with Dempto reminded me that I, too, has a copy of the drafts. I’ve already uploaded the teaser video of Ploning here. Since it’s 124-page long, I’m forced to discuss it piece by piece. It’s a long read, besides I couldn’t print it because I’m out of printer ink right now.
The story started at Tabunan Shore in Cuyo. From the dark, one slowly hears two voices singing “Ploning” (yes, Ploning is a popular song of the Cuyunons); a guy and a little boy; they were accompanied by guitar.
Ploning…
Nga labing maleban
Ang gegma mo Ploning
Nga ing kandadoan
The singing goes on until near the calm shores of Tabunan, a mystery is revealed through the reflections of a gas lamp. There are many gas lamps and people are on the shores gathering shells. Picking shells is a typical event in Cuyunon communities. I was reminded by my lola – when we were children, my grandmother, a Cuyunon, would take us every weekend to Canigaran beach to also pick shells we can cook for food.
Although to many this is a way of being careful with money and resources because they don’t have to go to the market to buy, it’s also a form of meeting together to catch stories about their lives; not necessarily to gossip, but just to see how they are doing. Of course, those days were gone here in Puerto Princesa. We no longer go to Canigaran to pick shells. But I’m pretty sure that in Cuyo, residents still do this.
Back to Ploning, the mystery revealed was that of two teenagers passionately and tenderly making love inside a small crude shack. They kiss and they almost don’t want to do it, but their emotions show great love for each other. You can see tears falling from both their eyes.
The sound they emit is like there’s something hard being rubbed on the floors made of bamboo strips. Before they reach their key moment, the young woman stretches her arms above her head, the guy slides some balugo (tree) seeds to her palms and closes them tightly with his own.
I can’t wait to see this scene on the film because it’s so bold, vivid and strikingly impressive — very exciting and intense to start a film. For a minute, I thought it’s like “Blue Lagoon.” Angga’s creative mind was probably oozing that time he was writing the script. He gets a standing ovation from me for this opening of the “Ploning.”
More to follow.
do you think this fillm will hit box office hit or it will just be like a documentary film?
Teodoro,
Hi, My name is Jourdan Sebastian and I am one of the producers of “Ploning”. We are producing the film to become a highly entertaining and engaging movie… but we hope to retain its authenticity by having the characters speak the local dialect of Cuyonon. Will it be a box office hit? We hope so! But we’ll definitley back it up with the right marketing and publicity efforts to give it a push.
Teng, Thank you for your continued interest on the project. Hope to meet you soon.
To Teodoro — sorry for the delayed response to your question regarding “Ploning.”
First, I want to say belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you. I pray for more blessings for you and your family wherever you may be right now.
Back to your question — yes, I am positive that Ploning will make it as a box office hit not only because the main character will be played by Judy Ann Santos, but also because it will be well-heeled in terms of showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Cuyunons. Are you a Cuyunon?
The Cuyunons are one of the colorful people in the Philippines, I believe. Cuyo, the town where they live or where they can trace their roots, is one of the most traditionally and culturally rich places in Palawan province (if not the whole country). The natural beauty of Cuyo speaks volumes about its people, how they live their lives and how they love with passion and care for one another. It speaks more about how the tides in the ocean determine the hopes of the people, or the simple task of picking shells on the shores can be a sensible and meaningful community activity for them.
Whether its a documentary film or otherwise, what matters is there are people who are now doing films that are worth watching and that display the unique characters of the Filipino people wherever they may be or whatever dialect they speak. Not only will this film be entertaining; it will also succeed in opening the eyes of filmmakers to make movies where people can truly learn something. I am sure that while the film would very much like to be commercially-appealing, the makers and the producers would also, more than ever, want it to be a source of inspiration to people who might already be forgetting where they came from or what made them who they are today.
To Jourdan — you are most welcome! I’m interested because I’m also a Cuyunon. My grandmother was from Magsaysay then transferred to Cuyo where she met my grandfather. The last time I was in the municipality was a long time ago. Back then, I wasn’t that much interested to know about it even if my lola and my lolo lived there for some long years.
I actually wanted to join Angga there with some of our friends, but my schedule won’t permit me. I am looking forward to it and has been promoting it to my friends. I can’t wait to meet you either. See you in Puerto whenever
I will surely relate to this movie. I will surely watch this as my support for all Cuyunons.
I know this movie (as I’ve seen from the trailers), is a movie made carefully to showcase not just the Cuyuno everyday life but as the real human existence, hope and love.
Mayad nga adlaw canimo!
Kudos to the makers and cast of this film. It is the first Filipino movie I’ve seen in a long time that had me thinking all the way home from the theater. And when I got home, we had a discussion about it all afternoon. It is an excellent, thought-provoking film that digs deep into the human condition. Plus the scenery made me want to pack up and head for Palawan.
When is the DVD coming out because I’m definitely getting one.
i think ploning is one of the best movies for me. its very different with other filipino films ive watched.
sana may dvd copy nito! for sure ill buy the cd!
i think ploning is one of the best movies for me. its very different with other filipino films ive watched.
sana may dvd copy nito! for sure ill buy a copy!
Ploning is a very different kind of movie. It’s for a mature audience, audience who are in a high level of intellectual plane compared to the ordinary usual audience. Sadly it did may not hit box office because there are only a few of these kind in the Philippines. However kudos to Ploning for being nominated to the Oscars ! One small step for Ploning, One giant leap for the entire Philippine cinema industry !