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By Sylvia Santamaria
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SANTOS:
Ready to take on
more challenging roles |
If you can’t beat them, join them.
Now that independent film productions have overtaken the movies
being produced by the major studios, the country’s most bankable
commercial stars are lining up for coveted roles in the indie front.
That perhaps is the reason why Judy Ann Santos
has agreed to star in her first-ever independent movie. Santos has
quietly wrapped up work for Ploning, directed by production designer
turned filmmaker Dante Nico Garcia. The movie, shot entirely
in Cuyo Island, Palawan, is the first outing of Panoramanila
Pictures Co., a new film outfit composed of film enthusiasts and
experts who have done work in mainstream productions, infusing the
independent cinema spirit with commercial filmmaking sensibilities.
“I instantly liked the lead female character
when I read through the script. She’s so real, her conflicts
are understandable, always caught between loving and moving on with
life,” says Santos.
The title Ploning is inspired from a popular
Cuyonon folk song and it tells the story of an island-woman’s
promise, and her many struggles with herself, with life and her
family, made more complex with her ideals about hope and love.
Santos has to learn the Cuyonan dialect for this
prized role. “That wasn’t easy, “ she admits, “but
after immersing ourselves in their environment and their culture, it
became natural after some time.” Joining Santos in the powerhouse
cast are Eugene Domingo, Ronnie Lazaro, Gina Pareño, Meryll Soriano,
Ces Quesada, Joel Torre, Mylene Dizon, Tony Mabesa and Tessie Tomas.
“For our maiden project, the producers intend
to portray a more beautiful and positive Philippines. We want
to veer away from the stereotype images of third world poverty, sex,
gambling and violence presented by the current crop of Filipino
films that have penetrated the international film festivals,”
shares Jourdan Sebastian, executive producer.
To address investment constraints usually
hounding independent filmmaking, the producers have developed an
equity-sharing scheme among its cast and key production staff
members. Santos has reportedly agreed to this kind of an
arrangement. When the film earns, the investors’ profit is based
on the shares allotted to them.
Ploning, shot with live sound and in the
traditional 35mm film format, is independently-produced but will be
marketed and distributed commercially both here and abroad.
“I am just so happy they offered me this
wonderful role, “ enthuses Santos, who couldn’t contain her
excitement telling her closest friends about her amazing island
adventures in Palawan. “Oftentimes, actors crave for
challenging roles that will make us more fulfilled and give us more
opportunities to improve as artists.”
Santos feels that she is ready to explore new
possibilities as an actor, especially now that she’s turning 30.
“Ploning will hopefully signal the start of a new chapter in my
being an artist,” she beams. The movie opens in cinemas on April
30, which happens to be Santos’s birthday.
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