Of Sunsets and Heart-rending Romance

There are few places I’ve been to that really took my breath away. One was in Nogas Island on Antique, Panay Island, and the other was a magical moment, one afternoon on Greenbelt, walking through the beautiful, though man-made garden in the heart of the Greenbelt group of malls.

Okay, the Greenbelt part was cheesy, but to me it was magical nonetheless. But what if I told you that there is a place on earth, with sunsets as surreal as these:

My heart ached to go to Cuyo Island, the moment I saw the beauty of the Cuyo Island sunsets.

For the Ploning cast to behold this every afternoon of their stay there, I believe they must have beheld heaven on earth. What more for the humble folk of Cuyo, who can look at these and marvel, every day of their lives.

When I was in Mandaluyong, I lived for these:


Compared to Cuyo sunsets, my Mandaluyong sunrises paled in photographic comparison to those in Cuyo! My experiences with sunrises in Mandaluyong were nothing short of ethereal, but I'm asking myself how much more I would be praising God if I were in the midst of all that splendor in Cuyo..

Though I know I would never exchange the convenience of being around malls with free WiFi, Cable Internet, and the range of shopping choices that I have in Manila, I’d give, well, not half of what I own, neither an arm and a leg, but I surely would ache to experience sunsets like these for at least a month of my lifetime.

Wish I had the opportunity to charter a plane straight to Cuyo, like Juday did, for Ploning. But as it is, I can surely pray that someday, I shall behold the beauty that is Cuyo Island.

A heart-rending story, a beauteous setting. What more could your senses ask of a movie?

Ploning: The Song

Ploning
The Original Folk Song:

Ploning...
Nga labing maleban
Ang gegma mo, Ploning
Nga ing kandaduan
Lisensya ko, Ploning
Kung sarang tugutan
Mapamasyar ako
Sa marayeng lugar.

Ploning ...
Pobre akong masyado
Ara ako sasalan
Nga mga requerdo
Ara ako bulawan
Ara ako dinero
Solamente, Ploning
Demdemen mo ako.

Ploning...
Pagsarig kanaken
Tedek sa akeng leba
Ang akeng bisara
Tigbas mo sa bato
Kemkemen sa panyo
Indi engued ag kupas
Maski ara ren ang lawas.

Ploning
The Literal Tagalog translation:

Ploning...
Na ubod ng bait
Pag-ibig mo, Ploning
Na nakakandado
Paalam ko, Ploning
Kung iyong papayagan
Mamamasyal ako
Sa malayong bayan.

Ploning...
Mahirap ako masyado
Walang maiiwan
Na mga ala-ala
Wala akong ginto
Wala akong pera
Pakiusap, Ploning
Isipin mo ako.

Ploning...
Magtiwala ka sa akin
Tapat sa loob ko
Ang mga sinasabi ko
Itaga mo sa bato
Balutin ng panyo
Hinding-hindi kukupas
Kahit wala na ang katawan ko.

PLONING
The Tagalog translation for the movie:

Ploning...
Labis kitang mahal
Pag-ibig mo, Ploning
Sana'y akin lamang
Paalam ko, Ploning
Nawa ay payagan
Mamamasyal ako
Mangingibang bayan.


Ploning...
Sa aking paglayo
Walang maiiwang
Ala-ala sa iyo.
Wala akong ginto,
Hirap ang tulad ko
Nakikiusap, Ploning
Hintayin mo ako.

Ploning...
Ako'y sumusumpa
Sa puso nagmumula
Sana'y magtiwala...
Itaga sa bato
Balutin ng panyo
Kailanma'y di kukupas
Kahit hanggang wakas.

***

I came across “Ploning” the song on Ploning producer Guia Gonzales’ blog, and the lyrics... Just seared my heart.

I am a closet hopeless romantic, and for me to come across such... Poignancy... As this, I finally understood why the song became the inspiration for the movie.

Listening to the song had made me realize a few things:

• Love is universal and follows a similar pattern, across the generations, across milieus, across environments.
• There is nothing more poignant, or painful, than seeing lovers torn apart by “Fate.”
• Downloading a song from Multiply adds to the pain, even on a 1.3 MBPS connection.

I could say that love follows a similar pattern, because the Ploning song reminded me of my dorm’s caretaker’s love story with her own husband. She was young, headstrong, and full of dreams. She wanted to find her future in Manila, but she left her teenage love at home, in Mindoro. It was the 80s, I presume, and in the context of no cellphones, just telegrams and letters to assure young, passionate lovers of the faithfulness of the other, I could say that it was much like this song.

One wants to go away to find fortune, the other can’t do anything but to stay, home, waiting, pining, hands tied...

Nakakandado ang pag-ibig.

So poignant and precious, isn’t it? And when you listen to the song, which is much like a siren’s dirge with a tinge of hope, and you have loads of estrogen and caffeine coursing through your system...

You can’t help but cry.

Cry for lovers who can’t see each other. For the desperation of young love torn apart by distance.

Gosh, should I bring a sack of tissue paper for the Ploning premiere?!

In my opinion, this song holds the promise of what kind of emotions you should expect in watching the movie. Crying.. I like crying. :) Methinks I will bring me that sack of tissue paper for the screening. :p

Ploning Logo

Ploning Official Movie Poster

Ploning Official Movie Poster by Panoramanila Pictures Co. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Philippines License.

Judy Ann Santos ventures into film producing via "PLONING"

"I'm really proud and excited na mapalabas na ang pelikulang ito!" exclaimed Judy Ann Santos when asked about her upcoming movie Ploning, which will be released on April 30.

Aside from playing the role of its lead character named Ploning, Judy Ann also revealed that she is also the co-producer of this film.

"Happy din ako kasi first venture ko 'to as a co-producer and excited," said Judy Ann. "Kumbaga, kung anuman ang mangyari, masaya ako na dito sa proyektong ito nagawa lahat ng gusto namin, hindi lang as entertainers and as production people. Nagawa namin ang passion namin, yung venture namin in the near future."

The media then asked the dramatic actress if she would continue this newfound career after Ploning. Judy Ann, popularly known as Juday, was unsure of her answer. She was just glad that at least she had experienced something aside from being an actress in film production.

"It really depends kasi ang dami kong, utang, babayarin," Juday added in jest. "Ano lang, I'm trying out new things para in the future. Para kung anuman ang kabagsakan mo, di ba, meron kang background kahit papaano?"

PLONING IS JUDY ANN. The story of the film was conceptualized for eight years, according to Judy Ann. She explained, "Eight years yung development ng story. Pero yung making, siguro mga two months or something."

Judy Ann thought that she fits the character because like Ploning, she is also 29 and will turn 30 on May 11. "Nataon lang na ginawa siya na magte-thirty na ako, and yung story talaga requires a woman na medyo mag-o-old maid na, ganun."

The dramatic actress continued, "It's a very touching story of a woman and a kid. Hindi madrama na puro iyakan, puro hagulgulan. It's a very quiet movie."

Ploning was shot entirely in the beautiful and quite town Cuyo, Palawan, which is something new for Juday who is used shooting films in busy cities.

Juday described how this helped her portray the character she was playing well. She said, "It's nice to shoot a movie outside Manila, yung nakakulong ka sa isang lugar. Kasi yung first time kong naramdaman yun, masyado akong nakapag-internelize sa character ko. Ang saya, ang saya kasi ang dami mong bagong kaibigang nakilala, may mga bagong relationships na nag-bond. So ang sarap."

"IT'S NOT AN INDIE FILM." Judy Ann clarified that, contrary to what the other thinks, Ploning is not an independent film. (Click here to read related article)

"For the record, it's not an indie film," said Judy Ann. "Hindi siya indie film kasi 35 [mm film] ang ginamit namin para sa pelikulang 'to. Ang DOP (director of photography) si Charlie Peralta, underwater DOP namin is Marisa Florendo, so it's not an indie film. Definitely, hindi siya indie film. Independent producer, hindi indie film."

To prove that it's not an indie film, Juday jokingly added, "All-star cast, actually, na lahat 'yon dinala sa Cuyo [Palawan]. Kung indie film siya, aba'y pamasahe pa lang papuntang Cuyo, dito ka na lang sa ilog ng Maynila kumuha ng mga eksena, di ba?"

WORKING WITH SPECIAL PEOPLE. Juday is not the only one who tried something new in the making of Ploning. Even her boyfriend Ryan Agoncillo, who is also in photography, got his first hand in creating a coffeetable book of the said movie.

She announced to the media, "Gagawa siya [Ryan] ng Behind the Scene book of Ploning. It's a coffee table book. So, it's also the first time for him to do a book and it's also my first movie to have a book.

Aside from Ryan, Judy Ann also worked with some of the showbiz personalities who are close to her heart.

"Very special talaga itong movie na 'to kasi lahat ng nag-participate na tao dito malapit talaga sa puso ko—from Ga [Director Dante Nico Garcia] to Ryan, to Mylene [Dizon] to Beth Tamayo, to Tita Gina Pareño, and everybody in the cast, Joel Torre, Ronnie Lazaro, and Tony Mabesa," she enumerated.

Aside from these, Judy Ann is also pleased with her newest film because "Ipapalabas siya sa month ng birthday ko!"

Ploning will be shown in SM Cinemas for the whole month of May, the birth month of Judy Ann.

pep.ph

The Philippines + Juday = 2 "Negatives" = A Positive [thing]?

Please excuse my mondo geekiness. I... Remembered Algebra too acutely because it was horrific.

Moving on, I would first like to say that I meant no offense to Ms. Santos at all. But I do know that because she was positioned for the masa market in the Philippines, a lot of the feeling-intellectuals like me (but that was then, believe me, I am so jologs now. :p), didn't really think too highly of her.

And the Philippines. I love my country so intensely, though I do not take part in rallies or oust-whomever movements; but a lot of people tend to think that we are nothing but a bunch of squatters, rallyists and foul-smelling Al-Qaeda affiliates. Some may even think we still wear grass skirts and eat... Grass?

Ehe. Nevermind.

But the point is, Ploning the Movie just might prove to be similar to the "equation"..

You see, I know that Juday is such a great actress that I am actually looking forward to really getting ahold of a copy of a trailer that is more comprehensive than the flash movie on that link. Better yet, I am looking forward to watching the movie because I missed all of her best movies because I'd rather buy music, books, and burn money in internet cafes than watch movies in high school and college, and I am looking forward to really watching scenes shot in a part of the Philippines that is yet unspoiled.

Yes, those images on the flash teaser are for real. Those exist on earth.

Actually, the setting, Cuyo Islands, is part of the group of islands in the Philippines that is just so gorgeous that the Aman Resorts, known for putting up some of the most luxurious (and private) of beach resorts in the world, had bought an entire island in that area, and made it into this paradise on earth... With an equally hefty price.

While promoting Amanpulo is definitely my intention here, what I am trying to say is that the Philippines is not that kind of crazy place that so many people think (blame the media). And neither is Juday the two-bit actress that people think she is.

That's why I think Ploning the Movie may well give the Philippines a degree of redemption. It may well be a "two negatives equals a positive [thing]." For me, it's not a must-see just because it's an indie film. It's not a must-see because it's a love story. It's a must-see because it's a showcase of Filipino beauty, talent, and the Philippines' splendor.

If, after you see this movie, and you leave the theater and say to yourself, "the Philippines has a fighting chance after all," and you return home and make a decision to not speak ill of your country and do more to take care of it, like segregate the garbage and pray for your country, then I think... It's all worth your hundred and fifty pesos. :)

Juday: An Indie Film Actress? Really?

For most of the Filipino culture vultures, "Art" includes stage theater, concertos in full regalia, Miss Saigon, Fernando Amorsolo, even "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros"... Why then, did it still surprise me that for some people, Judy Ann Santos still hasn't moved out of the shadow of her awkward, jologs, past?

Maybe they didn't realize that Judy Ann Santos was capable of acting in such films as Aishite Imasu (Mahal kita), Sabel, and even Magkapatid, alongside Sharon Cuneta.

Okay, I have to admit that I wasn't able to watch these movies, but I do know that these were critically acclaimed. My only "proof" that Juday is a superb actress, would be my experiences of watching her in telenovelas. I can only recall having watched Mara Clara, and even then, as a green, adolescent actress, she was able to excellently flesh out the role of an oppressed heiress exchanged with the offspring of a crook.

For most, they would say that it's easy to play the role of the downtrodden. For me, I believe that it takes talent to shed tears at the drop of a hat.

So what does this all mean, related to Ploning the Movie?

Only this: Because I know that Judy Ann Santos, Juday, is a VERY capable, even excellent, actress, I personally am looking forward to watching it!

P L O N I N G - Live Sound Recording by Sinika

Cuyo Island Folk Dance

Cuyo Ocular for Ploning the Movie

Ploning is one for the books in Philippine Cinema

Panoramanila Pictures has their sights for the right concept on the money to showcase worldwide. PLONING - A love story plus an exotic location to boot makes a bad combination, in this case my description of bad, is good. For years, the Philippines has been projected as necessitous, poverty-stricken, in good films can you imagine. Now we have a chance to refresh the international critics memory and give them something positive about the Philippines.

Judy Ann Santos, with her best friend Ga or Dante Garcia by her side, has been tasked to lead in a Philippine Independent Film which could, hopefully, make headways into the International scene. With enough Filipino support abroad, can Juday thrust herself into the international market and be the face of Philippine cinema?

ON THE SET: "Ploning" in Cuyo, Palawan

by: Jocelyn Dimaculangan
pep.ph

Ploning fever has hit the sleepy town of Cuyo, Palawan. There are two logos of Ploning painted on stage of the town plaza. The oblong-shaped logo bears the name Ploning, prompting tourists to wonder who or what is Ploning.

It turns out that Ploning refers to the movie starring Judy Ann Santos as the town beauty who is torn between keeping two promises: to look for her first love Tomas or stay in Cuyo for the young boy Rodrigo who relies heavily on her motherly care.

PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) was able to visit the set of Ploning in Cuyo, Palawan, to see Judy Ann, Mylene Dizon, Gina Pareño, Meryll Soriano, Ces Quesada, Jojit Lorenzo, Joel Saracho, and Crispin Pineda in action. Documenting the filming process was Judy Ann's boyfriend Ryan Agoncillo. PEP went behind the scenes for an inside peek into how film outfit Panoramanila Pictures shot this period film in the hometown of director Dante Garcia.

Direk Ga, as Dante is often called, was born and lived in Cuyo until Grade 6. He transferred to Manila to study high school and, eventually, he enrolled in Theater Arts in San Sebastian College.

He based this movie on certain people from Cuyo and his childhood haunts became the setting of this full-length film that is expected to open in theaters nationwide on April 30. Dikek Ga co-wrote the screenplay with Benjamin Lingan and it is estimated that 40 percent of the movie will be spoken in the Cuyonon language.

There is an unfinished pier on the island of Cuyo that serves as the waiting place of Ploning (Juday). Intigban beach is where Ploning and Rodrigo (played by first-time actor Cedric Amit) walk hand in hand.

The basketball court of Igabas served as the place where Rodrigo and Celeste (played by Mylene Dizon instead of Iza Calzado) meet for the first time. The esposada (bridal shower) of one of the characters is set in Emilod and took three nights to shoot.

The producers built a cemetery from scratch in a part of the town called Republic of Cuyo to serve as the setting for a key scene in the movie. They even decided to keep the cemetery intact so that tourists can visit the place and locals can narrate how Judy Ann Santos once shot her scenes there.

Even though Panoramanila Pictures Co. is still a fledgling company (it was established only in 2007), it took great pains to ensure the authenticity of this period film set in Cuyo during the 1980s. Unique practices of Cuyo will also be shown in the movie Ploning. The female characters of the movie will be demonstrating the process of making cashew nut brittle, a delicacy of the province. Judy Ann and Gina will also be harvesting salt from an asinan. Ati-atihan groups will also perform in celebration of the town fiesta, which is held annually on August 27.

Ploning, played by Judy Ann, is the town beauty who waits patiently for the return of her beloved Tomas (whose identity remains a secret). He went to Manila to work but ten years later, Ploning still holds on to his promise that he will return for her. At 29 years old, she is already considered an old maid by rural standards but she still holds on the memory of her great love.

Aside from being the dream project of Direk Ga and Judy Ann, Ploning also allows four great comediennes to establish themselves in the drama genre. Gina Pareño, Eugene Domingo, Ces Quesada, and Tessie Tomas will make viewers cry as they showcase the various kinds of women who live in Cuyo.

As Tessie puts it: "Hindi ba weird na lahat kami komedyante tapos drama ang pelikula?" To this, Direk Ga answered, "Weird pero bago. Hindi ba nakaka-excite to see Juday na nasa gitna ng mga komedyanteng lumuluha samatalang siya pinipigilan niya ang luha niya."

Ploning is scheduled to open in theaters nationwide on April 30.

The Official Ploning Pitch Video

Ploning Teaser

The Team

PANORAMANILA
A New Vision of Pinoy Cinema

We are a young breed of Filipino filmmakers who are passionate
in producing films that will help promote a new and inspired age
of Philippine Cinema.

We believe in a time of excellence, creativity, and profitability
in independent Filipino filmmaking that will inspire and entertain
Filipino viewers.

We hope to do this by marrying the creative spirit of
independent filmmaking and the sound business structure of
commercial cinema, producing prolific and wholistic dynamics
suitable for sustainable development in the local film industry
likewise promoting the Philippines in the international film
industry.

VALUES

Respect
To respect the filmmakers.
To respect the art and business of filmmaking.

Faith
To believe in great and glorious achievements
for the company and the industry.

Excellence
To strive for excellence in process and product.

The Island

Cuyo Island, Palawan

Cuyo is a 4th class municipality in the province of Palawan,
Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population
of 18,257 people in 3,609 households.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

About the film

Story

Ploning is the story of one woman's promise, her hope and love
from the point of view of a young boy.

Present time. Having lived aboard an illegal Taiwanese fishing
vessel for as long as he can remember, 30-plus year old Filipino
Muo Sei (meaning "Moses", son taken out of the water), grew
up to be a man of brokenness, unpredictable temper and solitary
loneliness. Until one morning his boat docks into the shores of
Cuyo, Palawan. His adoptive Taiwanese father risks being caught
and summons him to find "Ploning" before the sun sets, in the
hopes of dealing with his past and changing his ways. No one
knows who or what "Ploning" is to Muo Sei and no one has ever
dared to ask...And so his search begins...

Muo Sei tours the island, observes the people and place as an
outsider, and finally revisits his memories, baring how much
he has been part of Cuyo and the life of a woman named Ploning.

1980's. The past comes to life and 30-year old Ploning is revealed
as the island's enigmatic belle who cared for 7-year old Digo -
short for Rodrigo, Muo Sei's real name - as her own. She is a
woman who the town knows as keeping true to the promise of
waiting for her beau, the young town hero who left for Manila
more than a decade ago. This set her as both exemplary and
rumor magnet. But one thing is common, everyone wants to
marry her off. And Digo discovers Ploning's plan to leave for
Manila. Thus threatened by the sudden prospect of losing
Ploning, Digo devices ways to keep her from leaving and gets
her to make a promise.

Did Ploning choose closure with the man she has been waiting
for half her life or the future of young boy whose life is not her
own?

Old pains of rejection and unanswered questions are relived,
as backdropped by an ironically beautiful milieu and a community
of townspeople who are enamored and affected by the life and
love of Ploning.

In Digo's eyes, Ploning is likewise revealed as a dutiful daughter
to patriarch Susing, a committed supporter to grieving Intang,
an honorary sister to extended family Nieves and Toting a wise
ally to simpleton Alma, a co-mother to half-paralyzed Juaning,
a dear friend to ailing nurse Celeste, an object of desire to
young lad Siloy and a foe to Digo's older brother Veling.

In the end, a secret is revealed to Rodrigo that awakens him
into a love he has forsaken and misunderstood. Thus the healing
that comes from forgiveness springs forth into his hardened
heart.

Will Rodrigo finally choose to accept love or continue to walk
in hate?