ENIGMATIC PULCHRITUDE

This morning while gandering some scuttlebutts from the tabloids on a newsstand, I was astounded to read that the Philippine entry to the Oscar's Best Foreign Language Film didn't make it to the final round. It never reached the prestigious Magic 5.I'm talking about Ploning. I'm quiet nostalgic right now coz I really love this film. I've seen this last December when the original video was released by GMA Records. I wasn't able to catch this last May due to work overload. After watching all the MMFF entries in two days, I decided to buy the DVD and watch it immediately but decided to reserve my review until the results of the Oscar deliberation. That DVD is now well kept in my treasure's chest. Now and forever I will treasure Ploning in my heart.

It tells a story about an enigmatic woman named Ploning. The film begins when a Taiwanese fisherman, Muo Sei, lands in the quiescent town of Cuyo, Palawan. When he arrives, he instantly asks for someone named "Ploning".In the town, Ploning is known as a hardworking and thoughtful woman who, despite her age and beauty, decided not to settle down. Ploning becomes a mystery.

The story is so simple but deep. It's just frustrating that this film wasn't applauded that much in the box office. Rousing hidden emotions are everywhere in the film, “Ploning” effectively enchants me into the time it plays and shoots its beliefs about life and love. What's amazing is that it doesn't sounds too corny. I highly adore Nico Garcia's direction. He is a true Cuyonon. He truly captures the pulchritude of Cuyo with its simplicity and transforms it to being wunderkind. It's a breath of fresh air watching Ploning. The story is comparable to Ploning's persona. They are both puzzling. The flow of film is like entering a labyrinth. Don't worry you won't get lost. The moment your eyes have saline tears and it's lucid that you have solved the enigma.

The DVD version has a good picture quality. The cinematography is just exhilarating. Honestly, every scene in the film is like a painting. The scenes with artful approach can definitely thaw your heart. Great production design I must say. The editing will give you goose bumps if you're that attentive. The musical score is haunting too especially that native song about Ploning. Gosh I had LSS after hearing it and I was singing it for days. I'm still wonderin' why the masa crowd did not dig this film. C'mon it has a huge inspected stamp all over it “QUALITY PASSED”. The CEB evaluated the film and gave it an A. Ploning deserves it. I truly agree that Ploning is best entry yet from our country to the Oscars.

Surprisingly, Juday can stand alone. It's the first time that she has no leading man to make kilig and they give us saccharine moments. It's amazing to see her speaking in Cuyonon too. Yeah, the film is in that vernacular patois. Don't worry the film is subtitled in Tagalog. Juday's acting is so mellow. No faucet tears and no laughs to sway the crowd. It's so different watching Juday for the first with her eyes talking and her movements telling what's hidden inside.

The supporting actors also contribute some magic to the film. Three leading comediennes are here to show that they are bankable when it comes to dramatic scenes. Gina Pareño is still the queen of Indie films. Tessie Tomas proves that her cameo role is truly remarkable. Eugene Domigo's tears is more captivating than her gags. Mylene Dizon and Meryll Soriano also have decent scenes to remember. Lastly, some Cuyonon actors with no showbiz backgrounds enthralled me especially Cedric Amit as the child Digo and of course Boodge Fernandez as Muo Sei who is so scorching even if he is not that good looking.

Ploning deserves attention. Filipinos should be proud that we have an amazing film like this. It's rare to witness a beautiful picture these days locally. Ploning is a must see. The only warning I could give is prepare your heart for the deepest pain in the end. It will last for days. The longing will follow you.Truly, I fell in love with Ploning.