I tagged along with three of my friends to watch Ploning on Labor Day. At first, they were hesitant to watch it, as they prefer action-packed movies like Ironman. Nevertheless, I convinced them, giving noteworthy information about the film. Indeed, Ploning proved that it was worth the recommendation.
Filipinos are suckers for melodrama. For instance, Insiang is the best illustration for this genre. It won awards and is considered one of the finest works by the late Lino Brocka. It is a classic piece of cinema and was the inspiration for the Filipino melodrama we see in television or film. Its clones were pretentious and trashy. But Ploning did a good variation to the typical Philippine melodrama. Ploning gives us a warm story of love. Love in various depths stuffed in its light narrative. This is a serious risk: Combining what is pleasing to an average Filipino viewer and gratifying the discerning tastes of indie film enthusiasts and film critics.
Dante Nico Garcia’s premise in Ploning showed a Cuyo tradition of collecting shells and lamp gathering along the shore. That night, a mysterious love blossoms. Stunning visuals of two people making love, but decided to contain their emotions. Then the story shifted to present time focused to a young man named Rodrigo. He is moody and indignant. He only eats lychees. He came back to a rural town in Palawan to search for his identity.
Judy Ann Santos plays the title character Ploning, a mysterious woman living in a simple town in Cuyo, Palawan. She was believed to be waiting for Tomas, her beloved, who left for Manila. Digo, a young boy, was being cared for by Ploning due to Digo’s mother Juaning(Eugene Domingo) who was paralyzed. One night, Digo heard Ploning saying that she will leave the town in search for Tomas. In frustration, Digo planned ways to make Ploning stay.
The interwoven lives of people in Ploning’s life have diverse experiences. From a cashew brittle-maker housewife, an urban nurse, a father who wished to have her daughter’s forgiveness, a paralyzed mother and a dumb wife who only befriends her radio. These women shower us with love and emotion contrary to Ploning’s restriction in showing her sentiments.
I remember the film Volver by Pedro Almodovar that won a best female ensemble cast in last year’s Cannes Film Festival. Hopefully, a Filipino award giving body might do the same to Ploning. The female cast in particular did justice to this film. Bravo! It is a daunting task to verbalize emotion in a different dialect. The scene stealer was Gina Pareno who played the salt-maker mother of Tomas. Gina did an enormous contribution to its climax. Known for her over-the-top acting trademark, she made use of it once again in delivering her memorable lines of grief, longing and blasphemy.
Ploning has a very strong potential to reach more viewers especially if it is promoted as a worthwhile and transcendent film. Why not? Yes it was labeled an independent film, but with its story pitch, good technical quality(in terms of cinematography and sound editing) and superior acting from its stellar cast, it was not a surprise that they got an A rating from the Cinema Evaluation Board. This was elegantly filmed. Bright colors made Cuyo, Palawan a paradise. Old houses with gas lamps, sea-shelled curtain and old furniture were stylish. The clear blue ocean was a mystery itself. I wonder about its existence in Philippine shores. I certainly agree that making a film is a combination of art and reality. This poor town made to look like a paradise is something I’ve longed to see in film. I want beauty in this third world country. Ploning is the response.
Alas, Ploning is not the story of a town lady in Cuyo. Rather, a symbolism of love. Love of Filipinos who believe in the beauty of their country. Love in the beauty of their language. And when you speak of love, it never ceases.
The magnificence of Ploning will remain a mystery as it speaks from the heart.
Matagal ko itong pinag-isipan. Pormal na ako magpapaalam sa inyo lahat. Masaya ako na sa maikling panahon napasaya ko kayo. Nagpipigel ang mga daliri ko magsulat at magkwento nang mga kabalbalan at kalibugan at katatawanan... 
Enjoy!
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