Ploning and the Cuyo Islands

I know a lot of you have been waiting for my Holy Week entries to be posted. Take for instance, Odhe , my friend in GSIS, has been asking Peter when I’ll have them up. He’s been complaining that the Funboard Cup entries were taking up a lot of space here! So sorry bro, the Fun Board Cup was just a very long event and I wanted to record every moment of it. But after this one, I promise, the (un)Holy Week entries will be posted.

Anyway, lately, I’ve been thinking about exploring other Philippine islands. I have Carabao Island  in mind, which is located in Romblon, but I still have to figure out how to commute there from Caticlan. For those of you who know, I’d really appreciate your advice.

Another set of islands I’d like to visit is the Cuyo Islands in Palawan. I heard they have magnificent sunsets there. Could it be as majestic as the ones I’ve taken from Bora, Hundred islands, Guimaras, and La union to name a few? Maybe it truly is and more! Yes, I’ve been to some places in Palawan like Coron, Honda Bay and Puerto Princesa, but I heard that the islands of Cuyo offer more bucolic charm, a wonderful stillness and a more laid back kind of life untouched by rampant tourism invading its neighboring towns, islands and islets. Cuyo…

Speaking of Cuyo Islands, did you know that Judy Anne Santos recently produced and starred in a very promising film  shot in one of its magical  islands? It’s her birthday gift to herself since she’ll be turning 30 on May 11. The renowned Philippine actress said in one of her interviews that the story  took 8 years to develop and it just so happened that the story revolved around a 30 year old woman named Ploning, from where the movie title came, very timely for her upcoming 30th birthday.  It’s not your usual teeny-boppy, maka-jologs,  “bucket of tears” Juday flick. Nor is it cheesily made like your any other pito-pito type of Pinoy flicks we’ve seen abound before. It’s actually a very quiet movie, depicting the way of life of people in Cuyo, that can sear deep into your hearts as the movie progresses. So yes, it will still make you cry, and cry big time you will! It’s a story of a 30 year old woman of Cuyo islands set in the 80’s, as told by a young boy. It’s about her love, her passion, her beauty, hopes and dreams. It will also showcase the beauty of the island, the heritage of the people and its community. It will make you wonder, that in a place where life is so slow, how can one woman wait for her one, true, great love? And until when can her patience sustain her thirst and hunger for more? 

Hearing the music alone will make you want to grab that box of tissue you’ve been dreading to bring to the movie. For me, the melody has a “Titanic soundtrack” feel to it (which is actually one of my all-time fave movies/songs). Here, you will definitely see a different kind of Juday, an actress who has matured beyond her years. You will also see a Filipino film that is well thought of and crafted. The movie will make you proud that you know this talented actress popularly known as Juday and have probably seen some of her movies in the past too!  

Ploning… I can’t wait to watch you… if only to virtually bring me to that quiet place of majestic sunsets, charming people and enchanting views of the wonderful islands of Cuyo. Let’s all catch its opening in theaters on April 30!