QIs it true that there is a real-life Ploning?
APart of Ploning's background and characterization was based on the Director's own surrogate mother, who continues to live in the island of Cuyo today.
APloning is title role / the name of the lead character. It is a nickname for Apolonia. It is also the title of a famous Cuyonon folk song from the island province of Palawan, about a young woman whose lover left her with but a promise to return. The rough Tagalog / Filipino translation from the Cuyonon version of the song is :The Cuyonon Lyrics: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
Sanay 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
Akoy sumusumpa
Sa puso nagmumula
Sanay magtiwala
Itaga sa bato
Balutin ng panyo
Kailanmay di kukupas
Kahit hanggang wakas.English translation to follow.
QWhere was the film shot?
AThe entire film was shot in Cuyo Island, in the province of Palawan.- The local dialect and people are both called Cuyonon.- It is known to formerly occupied by Spanish and Portugese Catholic priests and visited by illegal fishermen from neighboring island and countries such as Taiwan.- The windy island is surrounded by pristine white beaches and clear waters, visited by a handful of foreigners who visit the island for windsurfing.- It belongs to the same island group as the world famous Amanpulo Resort.- It was first visited by the Director, Writer, Producers and the Art Department in August 27, 2007 in time for the island's colorful San Augustin Festival. Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiOHV-O0KUY- Aside from being the place where the Director grew up and the story of Ploning is set, the island was chosen as a positive geographic and social representation of the Philippines.- Locations were set in both the Magsaysay and Cuyo munucipalities.- Throughout the production, the island was reached by the staff, crew and cast through 12-13 hour boat rides from neighboring provinces Iloilo and Puerto Princesa, Palawan, a 19-seater commercial plane, 1-6 seater fish cargo planes called "buhay buhay" and at one point, though a chartered plane. To date, commercial planes no longer service the island of Cuyo.
Share this