ploning http://virb.com/ploning Virb 2.0 (@ploning) en Finally: The Vision Behind Ploning the Movie http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/641803

]]> Thu, 29 May 2008 23:53:15 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/641803 Ploning the Movie: Reactions Galore http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/628257

]]> Wed, 21 May 2008 16:02:50 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/628257 Announcements and Great News! Ploning is Gearing for Traipsing the Theaters of Paris! http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/624786

]]> Mon, 19 May 2008 19:00:48 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/624786 From Executive Producer Jourdan Sebastian: "We, at Panoramanila Pictures believe it's time that the Philippines be seen for what it ALSO is" http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/615667

]]> Tue, 13 May 2008 23:21:34 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/615667 Saan Ko Mapapanood si Ploning?! http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/610512

]]> Sat, 10 May 2008 11:23:17 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/610512 From the Blog of Ploning's Director http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/607747

]]> Thu, 08 May 2008 19:46:37 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/607747 Breaking Buzz from Guia http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/603485

]]> Tue, 06 May 2008 14:29:00 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/603485 News Roundup of Articles About or Related to Ploning the Movie http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/600896

]]> Mon, 05 May 2008 10:53:18 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/600896 Ploning and the Meaning of Love http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/595557 10:14 P.M. April 30, 2008

I just got home from church, and I just opened my phone to read my messages, when a message from Executive Producer Guia Gonzales came in.

It says:

Ang lambot ng Ploning, ang tahimik pero mainit at nakakapaso. Kapag di ka umiyak, di mo naiintindihan ang konsepto ng pag-ibig.

-From a former Star Cinema employee

All throughout the articles I've posted, I've mentioned how I had bawled all the way through the last scenes of the movie. I was unable to see some snippets of the movie, even. Because my eyes were already half-closed from crying.

Indeed, you have no true understanding of the word "love," if the movie did not sear you through to the bone. The four kinds of love I learned about in high school Values class were there:


Eros is defined as romantic love, Philia as love between friends, Storge as the love between family members, and Agape as the ultimate form of love: self-sacrificing love.

Ploning showed all four forms of love, encased in scenes that were subtle, moving and beautiful. It was a movie that would really take your breath away, make your knees weak and keep you guessing what it's all about until it hits you, and all you can do is to cry, because you are so moved.

Love is not all about Eros. It is not that giddy feeling you get when your girlfriend or your boyfriend gives you flowers or gives you a kiss. Neither is it all about the love of family, nor about the love between friends.

For me, True Love is a combination of all four forms, in a marital relationship, or it is either Philia+Agape or Storge+Agape. For me, Love is not love at all if there is no "dying to self" or sacrifice involved. Love is never all about just a romantic, animalistic passion. Neither is it a feeling.

For me, Love is never without these three components: commitment, compassion or empathy, and a desire to lay your life down for the other. Without the desire to lay your life down for the other's benefit, your so-called Love is shallow, as it would be likely that you would be in a self-centered state that when the tough times come, it would be easy for you to walk away from the situation because it is no longer fun or convenient from you.

Ploning the Movie is so subdued and subtle, that it is your spirit that would feel the Love. It is not a fun, happy feeling that you would have when you leave the theater. When you leave the theater, you actually feel like your insides had been scrubbed, and that some degree of redemption had taken place within you, and you would understand that Love is not about serving yourself. It is about serving the other with all that you are. And in return, the other person would be so grateful as to be moved to actually give that love back.

Maybe you would leave the theater with a "Huh?" if you did not understand how Panoramanila presented love. But I assure you, there is definitely no reason to say "DUH!"

You can't argue when the Cinema Evaluation Board just gave them a Film Rating of "A," can you? :p]]> Thu, 01 May 2008 03:43:53 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/595557 Why 35mm? http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/594297 alt



Ploning is a movie that was shot on 35mm film. In the age wherein indie films are shot on handycams and digital media to save costs, why would an independent film outfit, an upstart in an industry of giants, want to experiment with shooting on such an expensive medium, when its more established peers are already all flocking to digital media (High-Definition) to save costs?

Ploning the Movie's end product was processed by Optima Digital, which is the same post-production company that had processed the movies Crying Ladies and Santa Santita. These two movies were known for their excellence and substance, but most relevant to this article, the vivid colors of the film.

In the press premiere of Ploning last Friday, Miss Marilen Magsaysay* had talked about how the 35mm film can be processed to make the colors of the film turn out however they want. As I quickly scanned through this Wikipedia article on 35mm films, I was able to confirm what Miss Marilen said at the press premiere: that the color is easier to manipulate when the 35mm medium is used. The 35mm film can be processed in such a manner as to have certain shades dominate the picture. According to her, it all depends on the chemicals, as I inferred from the Wikipedia article. Because of this Optima was able to produce films of the caliber of Crying Ladies' and Santa Santita's.

Indeed, throughout my watching of Ploning, it was a larger-than-life experience. Because of the film quality, I was moving through several emotions all at once:
  • I was amazed at how an apparently ordinary veranda and weed-overgrown lawn could look like paradise.
  • I was skeptical about being able to really experience this vividness in real life, and wondered whether Cuyo was that beautiful or the warm colors just made it so.
  • I was in tears in the back of my mind because such beauty just moves me.
  • I was in tears also because I wondered when I would ever experience colors that vivid.
  • I was amazed that we, Filipinos, who so belittle ourselves constantly, could make this excellent film.
  • I was irritated that we belittle ourselves.
  • I was glad that we are being vindicated by labors of love and excellence such as Ploning the Movie.
  • I was also telling myself in wonderment, "So THAT is why they used 35mm instead of digital!"

While I was doing the "research" for this post, I was wondering to myself, partly because of this article: "You can edit the color "temperature" on digital media anyway, so why not use that instead of costly 35mm?

But as I recall the movie, it was so different from the other movies I've seen. It was like a Hollywood film with its crispness, but the colors were so warm, bright and vivid that watching Ploning the Movie was a surreal experience.

With the meat of Ploning's story, the superb acting, and the amazing vividness and crispness of the film's quality, it is no wonder it received the approval of the Cinema Evaluation Board: The highest rating of "A".

Watch Ploning today!
]]> Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:00:20 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/594297 The Secret of "Krispy Kreme" http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/591139 alt


Why on earth did I talk about "Krispy Kreme" last time?

Well, this is the story.

While waiting for the movie to roll, Guia Gonzales, Direk Dante, and even Jourdan Sebastian tried to entertain us and appease our seemingly ruffled feathers. There had been a delay in the showing of the movie, because transporting the film hit a snag. I am not really clear what happened, but all I know was that I was sitting there wondering why on earth Direk Dante was jittery, and they all were just talking and talking and the movie screen was colored BLUE.

So I was just sitting there, just trying to ignore how the microphone was so loud to my ears, and how I was longing to see the movie already, and then...

Someone in the team had the insight and generosity to buy boxes of sugarcoated Krispy Kreme (The kind I love best! Better than the cheesecake variant even!) and passed it around.

I truly appreciate Direk Dante and Executive Producer Guia Gonzales for trying to keep our attention occupied. I truly appreciate God for keeping me peaceful enough so as not to grumble to the point of particularly loud snide, because by the end of their efforts to keep us from throwing tomatoes, some people were so rude as to say something very curt that everyone heard. I just didn't understand what it was.

I have to admit that there were moments that I had complained "tama na ina!" which is Ilonggo for "enough of it already." I just hope that none of the prod team heard me. Well, they know now. After the movie, and after getting home to realizing that my eyeballs still hurt from crying, I feel chastised that I could even think to say that.

I am amazed at how the core group: Guia, Direk Dante, Jourdan, and even BJ were so eager to keep us "calm" and entertained. I am amazed that, upon meeting Guia, and blabbering how I bawled and how I finally understood why they were experiencing such setbacks, she had hugged me when I asked her if I could wangle a hug out of her. :p

It was her birthday, by the way! Happy birthday Guia!

I was amazed that Guia had even heard me sniffling through the scenes.

I was amazed that they all were humble enough to talk to me, a nobody in their world.

I was amazed that sometime that afternoon, I had been planning to buy Krispy Kreme, but decided against passing by Megamall on my way to The Podium, because I thought I was running late, and in the end got... Not one, but TWO Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

I was amazed that I was handed a press kit of Ploning.

But best of all...

I was amazed that God has taken care of His people to the point that despite how important this movie may be, BJ, Guia, and Jourdan were all gracious enough to interact with me. :)

I am just amazed at how they all are humble. And I pray that God would just let them stay in the spirit of humility all throughout their days, even as more "crazy dreams" get birthed from within them.

And just as a birthday gift to Guia, it's not that you are not so good at prioritizing the Kingdom of God. THIS MOVIE, is a great victory for Jesus, and soon, those whose hearts will be opened will testify to that.

I believe that this movie indeed has the hand of God upon it. And as I bit into my second Krispy Kreme just relishing and marveling at that moment in my life, I knew the angels were agreeing with how I'm rejoicing. :)]]> Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:44:05 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/591139 Highlights of Ploning the Movie http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/591138 alt
If you ask me what was the highlights of Ploning the Movie were, I will say these:

  • Juday's amazing acting. Here, she was absolutely fluid, absolutely seamless. This is her transition from the old Mara Clara and Wowie de Guzman-era persona to the amazing woman that she is. I was entranced, amazed, floored, riveted to her allure, her subtle allure and beauty that unfolded in her fluid movements, in the generosity that her character displayed, in this regal bearing that made you feel that whom Juday was playing there was analogous to her real-life character.
  • The cinematography was just divine. Made possible by the same company who were part of Crying Ladies and Santa Santita, I need not wonder anymore. I have yet to watch Crying Ladies, but Santa Santita surely was phenomenal for me. But more phenomenal than Santa Santita was Ploning, in my personal opinion.
  • The acting of Cedric Amit, the boy who plays Digo, Ploning(Juday)'s adorable foster son. I may not like normal-weight kids that much, but Digo was just a darling!
  • Ms. Gina Pare]]> Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:44:04 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/591138 Ploning the Movie: The Aftershocks http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/587012
    Though there were things that we planned to do, but as people's schedules were just crazy, I was content to wait for tonight. The night that I would finally behold the movie I was speculating so intently about.

    And you know what?

    For everything I had gone through behind the scenes of this movie, for everything that led up to the moment that I watched even the final credits roll, all those were well worth my so-called troubles.

    On the day that I had written a word of encouragement for the Ploning cast and crew, half-praying what I wrote, I knew that this film was significant to God, that's why mountains were placed at its path. Tonight, as I bawled my way through the last scenes... I finally understood why.

    It was not just the hauntingly beautiful acting of Juday. It was not her serenity. It was not her radiant face. Not her eyes that communicated even through the mere lowering of the eyelids.

    It was not even Gina Pare]]>     Sat, 26 Apr 2008 01:54:41 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/587012     'When Love Begins' director wants us to watch Ploning http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/583955
    Beautiful movie it is. Non-acting makes Panoramanila's Ploning outstanding. Dante gathered the country's best to deliver a full-length feature distinguished for its hysteria-free acting. The list: Eugene Domingo, Ronnie Lazaro, Gina Pare]]>     Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:48:27 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/583955     Judai on ASAP 08 : part 4 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/579766 Judai on ASAP April 20, 2008 part 4]]> Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:49:48 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/579766 Judai on ASAP 08 : part 3 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/579765 Judai on ASAP April 20, 2008 part 3]]> Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:49:47 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/579765 Judai on ASAP 08 : part 2 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/579764 Judai on ASAP April 20, 2008 part 2]]> Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:49:47 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/579764 Judai on ASAP 08 : part 1 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/579763 Judai on ASAP April 20, 2008 part 1]]> Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:49:46 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/579763 Juday appreciates GMA 7 support for Ploning http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/576388
    "Alam mo yun nga, e. Na-realize ko din na...kasi yung Kaming mga Ulila, ang unang-una kong soap opera, sa GMA. Babalik at babalik ka talaga sa pinanggalingan mo kapag tumanda ka na.

    "Oo, marami kang taong nakakasalamuha, marami kang taong nakikita, maraming tao ang nalalaman mo ang ugali after so many years, pero babalik ka pa rin sa mga taong tumulong sa 'yo. Sa buhay na simple, sa buhay na ang mga kaibigan mo, totoo lang, babalik ka pala talaga sa ganun.

    "Totoo pala yung kasabihan na yun na malayo man ang narating mo, malayo man ang hinulugan mong bangin, babalik ka pa rin kung saan ka nagsimula, at natutuwa ako sa GMA, kasi open sila for whatever opinions, open sila sa lahat ng bagay.

    "Sa promotion, sa TV rights, nagbibigay rin sila ng advice. Kumbaga hindi naman lahat ng produksiyon gagawin yun sa 'yo, 'di ba?

    "Kaya talagang sobra-sobra yung pasasalamat ko kina Ms. Annette [Gozon-Abrogar], na hindi nila ako contract star, pero sobra-sobra yung pagsuportang ginawa nila sa Ploning, talagang thank you, thank you talaga," mahabang pahayag muna ni Judy Ann sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).

    Hindi pa naman kaya siya nag-iisip na lumipat na sa Siyete at umalis na sa Dos dahil sa pagka-impress niya't sobrang appreciation sa ginawa sa kanya ng Kapuso people?

    "Hindi, kasi may kontrata pa ako, e."

    Tinanong ng PEP kung ilang taon pa ba ang itatakbo ng kontrata niya with Dos?

    "Isang taon pa. Siyempre hindi naman ako yung tipo ng tao na aalis lang dahil sa isang dahilan. Siyempre susumahin ko pa rin 'yan paglipas ng mga panahon, marami pang puwedeng mangyari. Marami pang pagbabawi ang pupuwedeng gawin.

    "Pero ang lamat, lamat. Ang nangyari, nangyari na, hindi mo na puwedeng ibalik yun. Sa nangyaring 'yan, mas pinag-isip lang nila ako," makahulugang pagtatapos ni Juday.

    -GMANews.tv]]>     Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:57:52 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/576388     Juday appreciates GMA 7 support for Ploning http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/574637
    "Alam mo yun nga, e. Na-realize ko din na...kasi yung Kaming mga Ulila, ang unang-una kong soap opera, sa GMA. Babalik at babalik ka talaga sa pinanggalingan mo kapag tumanda ka na.

    "Oo, marami kang taong nakakasalamuha, marami kang taong nakikita, maraming tao ang nalalaman mo ang ugali after so many years, pero babalik ka pa rin sa mga taong tumulong sa 'yo. Sa buhay na simple, sa buhay na ang mga kaibigan mo, totoo lang, babalik ka pala talaga sa ganun.

    "Totoo pala yung kasabihan na yun na malayo man ang narating mo, malayo man ang hinulugan mong bangin, babalik ka pa rin kung saan ka nagsimula, at natutuwa ako sa GMA, kasi open sila for whatever opinions, open sila sa lahat ng bagay.

    "Sa promotion, sa TV rights, nagbibigay rin sila ng advice. Kumbaga hindi naman lahat ng produksiyon gagawin yun sa 'yo, 'di ba?

    "Kaya talagang sobra-sobra yung pasasalamat ko kina Ms. Annette [Gozon-Abrogar], na hindi nila ako contract star, pero sobra-sobra yung pagsuportang ginawa nila sa Ploning, talagang thank you, thank you talaga," mahabang pahayag muna ni Judy Ann sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).

    Hindi pa naman kaya siya nag-iisip na lumipat na sa Siyete at umalis na sa Dos dahil sa pagka-impress niya't sobrang appreciation sa ginawa sa kanya ng Kapuso people?

    "Hindi, kasi may kontrata pa ako, e."

    Tinanong ng PEP kung ilang taon pa ba ang itatakbo ng kontrata niya with Dos?

    "Isang taon pa. Siyempre hindi naman ako yung tipo ng tao na aalis lang dahil sa isang dahilan. Siyempre susumahin ko pa rin 'yan paglipas ng mga panahon, marami pang puwedeng mangyari. Marami pang pagbabawi ang pupuwedeng gawin.

    "Pero ang lamat, lamat. Ang nangyari, nangyari na, hindi mo na puwedeng ibalik yun. Sa nangyaring 'yan, mas pinag-isip lang nila ako," makahulugang pagtatapos ni Juday.

    -GMANews.tv]]>     Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:02:09 -0700 http://virb.com/ploning/posts/text/574637