One-on-One with “Ploning” Director Dante Nico Garcia

In this one-on-one interview, production designer turned filmmaker Dante Nico Garcia talks about how his long-standing friendship with one of Philippine cinema’s most bankable stars made his lifelong dream of doing a film set at his beautiful hometown of Cuyo, Palawan possible. 

The Freeman: What are your inspirations behind the movie?

Dante Garcia: “The Cuyo island itself, don talaga ako lumaki. I find the beauty of my own birthplace and in Judy Ann Santos, who is my best friend for 17 years already, as inspirations. I first met Juday in the TV series ‘Mara Clara’ and it was her co-star Gladys (Reyes) who introduced me to her and we found out that na magkapitbahay lang pala kami.”

TF: This is your directorial debut. How do you feel about it?

DG: “I felt nervous initially since this is the first film I’ve ever made. Although I directed sitcoms already, directing a movie is a much bigger challenge. This is a dream come true for both Ga (Note: This is what Direk Nico fondly calls Judy Ann) and me. Everyday during taping, maaga kaming gumigising at very excited kami palagi.”

TF: What is Judy Ann’s involvement aside from being the film’s main actress?

DG: “Nag-co-produce siya (Judy Ann) sa film. Sobrang gusto niya ang movie. So when we asked her if she’s willing to co-produce the film, without any hesitation, nag-approve kaagad si Juday.”

TF: How would you describe Judy Ann?

DG: “She’s really an inspiration to everybody. Lahat ng pwede at gusto kong ibigay na admiration and good judgments, ibibigay ko sa kanya. She deserves it all.”

TF: What can you tell us about the central story of the movie?

“It’s a story about a woman, who’s going to 30, who doesn’t mind what other people say about her. Kumbaga, ina-absorb lang niya ang mga sabi-sabi. Tapos ang weird sa character ni Juday dito as ‘Ploning’ ay hindi siya umiiyak kapag hindi siya masaya. If you compare her character sa mga Maria Claras before, mahinhin siya dito, pero hindi siya (Juday) inaapi. In the movie also, makikita mo kung paano nagmamahalan ang mga tao sa baryo compared to those living in the city.

TF: What is the message of the film?

DG: “Love… It’s a story about love, but hindi ito ‘yong usual love story that we are used to. In ‘Ploning,’ walang boundary ang pagiging connected mo sa isang tao. Another message also na makukuha mo sa movie is about the traits that the community featured in the film possesses—nandoon yung pagiging loving and may sharing sa bawat isa. Kaya nga napaka-Pinoy ng pelikula, makikita mo ang sarili mong buhay after watching the movie.”

TF: What do you hope to achieve with “Ploning”?

DG: “I want to see Filipinos go to the theaters again. There are a lot of aspects in the movie that can’t be seen on TV. I hope that the film will not just entertain but will also inspire and educate its viewers.”