Can we finally make it to the Oscars?

I recently read the news that the movie topbilled by Judy Ann Santos has been selected as entry to the Academy Awards for Foreign Film. The movie, "Ploning" was hyped a lot before it was shown because it was considered a maverick of sorts. It was certainly not a formula movie, and one of the most glaring difference was its use of a native dialect that even we as Filipinos are hardly familiar with. Many were wondering if it would also succeed in the box office because it was unconventional.

Well, it passed with flying colors and I think was even given a B rating by the Cinema Evaluation Board. Thanks to Judy Ann's appeal, people trooped to theaters to see the film and critics were also generous with praise for this experimental project by first-time director Dante Nico Garcia.

I must confess I was unable to catch the movie during its commercial run and am now very curious as to why it has been chosen to represent the Philippines in the Oscars. Of course, it remains to be seen if it will eventually be chosen so let's all keep our fingers crossed.

I happened to read a review of the movie from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, (Ploning) which I will share with you and let you decide if it is worth seeing and worth being the representative. Whatever the outcome, congratulations are in order for Judy Ann, Dante and the rest of the people who worked to see this film's completion. Thank you for breaking out of the norm but showing nevertheless how talented and creative you are. That's the true Filipino spirit.