Ploning is Judy Ann's shot at iconic status

Judy Ann Santos has come of age as an actress.

At this point in her career, her body of work needs replenishing. Judy Ann knows that she's ready for more mature roles that will put her in the league of Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos. After all, Judy Ann has already achieved superstar status so the roles she essays should befit her stature.

"Ploning" is touted a movie that will cement Judy Ann's near-iconic status in the movie industry. The film's drumbeaters claim that the movie is to Juday as "Sister Stella L" was to Vilma Santos, "Insiang" to Hilda Koronel, and "Himala" to Nora Aunor.

The former child star shared, "This is the picture, film and right time for me to exhibit maturity."

It was not easy playing "Ploning." Judy Ann had to learn a local dialect while making the film that is 60 percent Tagalog and 40 percent Cuyonan. "There was one scene where I was speaking to a young girl about love and she was from Cuyo like Ploning. I had too much difficulty getting the scene done perfectly that when I finally did, I cried."

Set in 1982 and entirely shot in Cuyo, Palawan , "Ploning" centers on Judy Ann's character Ploning, a mysterious woman who waits for the return of the only man she loved. Holding on and depending on nothing else but his promise to return, Ploning becomes a paradox of a citizen when she talked and socialized less yet the townspeople turn to Ploning when they wanted to make sense of life's confronting questions.

"They will see a very different Juday in this movie," revealed first time director Dante Nico Garcia. The film maker wove a very intimate look at the lives and time (during the 80s) of the Cuyonons, where Garcia himself grew up. He added, "In this movie, walang leading man si Juday, walang iyakan except for one scene at wala ring comedy."

Garcia was clear in transporting viewers both back to a particular era and a time warp viewing.

"I wanted to bring back the Sampaguita and LVN times na pumupunta ang mga tao sa sinehan to watch films because it's Filipino and not because may touch of Hollywood.

It's not that I have anything against it, I am also a fan of those who are able to bring it to Filipino viewers but we just want the movie to be very different.

"Garcia did not only avoid getting Hollywood-esque, he also derailed from the much-milked depiction of Filipino poverty in local cinema. "Sabi nga nila, walang mahirap sa Cuyo dahil mayaman sa resources at kuntento ang mga tao sa mga ikinabubuhay nila. Ayoko na rin ipakita yung kahirapan dito sa atin kasi naniniwala ako na nagawa na iyan nila [Lino] Brocka during their time. Gusto kong balikan yung time sa pelikula na nanunuod ang mga tao to be entertained.

"The characters in "Ploning" are also based from real people in Cuyo. Garcia reflected, "I wanted to achieve for this movie yung pakiramdam na napapanuod nila ang sarili nila sa screen."Judy Ann, along with rest of the cast that includes Gina Pareño, Mylene Dizon, Meryll Soriano, Ces Quesada, Tony Mabesa, Crispin Pineda, Tessie Tomas, Ronnie Lazaro, Eugene Domingo and Joel Torre, wore no makeup the entire movie.

"Ploning" is Judy Ann's 30th birthday film offering. Judy Ann is among the few actresses who take meaty roles in small-budgeted productions. "Kung may mga request man ako, it's not because I am Judy Ann Santos but because it's something I would see fit for myself or for the role."

She recalled how she's been recently touched meeting old friends from her former shows like "Mara Clara." She partly admitted to being disillusioned by the very industry she is part of. "Hindi ako nananiwala sa mga artista na hindi kaya pag walang handler kasi kailangan mo pa ba ng ibang tao na magpapalala kung sino ka?"

Judy Ann continued, "I admit marami tayong ginagawa at mga nakikila dito sa business na nakaka-cloud sa maraming bagay so there comes those points that you question yourself at sa sobrang kalituhan puwede mo nang itanong kung sino ba talaga ako? So meeting people from my past was, napatanong ako sa Diyos kung nire-remind Niya ba ako na lumingon sa pinanggalingan ko? And it really made me think and reflect."

The actress acknowledged the perks of being in showbusiness but said she's the type who would indulge in material things. "Simpleng tao lang ako. I like it when I'm being dressed up at ginagawang Barbie, gusto ko yun.

Kaya kong makipagsosyalan but I won't do it because it's not being myself. Mas masarap para sakin yung nasa bahay ka lang on a free day at ayaw mong maligo. Kasi aminin natin, nakakatamad maligo pag wala ka namang gagawin. Eh sa ayaw ko maligo at gusto ko lang sa aircon eh. Wag niyo ngang pakialaman at nag-iipon ako ng libag!"

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Manila Bulletin