Yangkong, Raquel Anne

4 October 2011
2011-18258
Social Science 1

Ploning
The Cuyo Island, situated northeast of mainland Palawan, is thought to
be isolated and would have a different culture than most of the Philippine
Islands. Contrary to popular belief, Cuyonon or the inhabitans of the Cuyo
Island also have festivals just like the rest of the country. Christianity has
even reached these islands.
Cuyonons are simple people. Bayanihan can be clearly seen among
them. It is also not surprising that fishing is the dominant livelihood among
the Cuyonon. Rain is also very vital to those people because unlike mainland
Luzon, rainfall in the Cuyo Island is scarce. Their culture is simple probably
because of their isolation with the fast changing world. Cuyonons are selfreliant. They do not need the help and resources from other places because
the Cuyonons themselves work together to be able to provide for the whole
community.
Ploning, the main character of the movie, is a strong but gentle
woman. She is a very loving daughter, a trustworthy friend, and a caring
foster mother to Digo who is the son of Juaning who is already bed-ridden.
She accentuates the values of love, cheerfulness and selflessness which is
already evident among the Cuyanon. There was never a time in the movie
that Ploning did not help her fellow Cuyanons. From the emotional problems
of Siloy with his past girlfriend, to the making of cashew brittle with the
women of the town, there is always Plonings helping hand and listening ear.
She can be considered everyones sister and friend.
Most of the time, Ploning can be seen with three other women, namely,
Alma, Nieves, and Celeste. Alma is a single mom. Her husband left her in the
island with the promise that he will be back for her. She is also an outcast
because she is not a native of the island. With the help of her friends Ploning,
Nieves, and Celeste, she became a stronger woman not only for her child but
also for herself. She did not depend on the promise of his husband that he
will be back soon but used this as an inspiration to make her better. Nieves,
on the other hand, is happily married with Toting who is a native of the
island. Her son is Siloy. Nieves is an empowered woman. She does not have a

problem with regards to her family life. She is considered the ate of the 3
other women in the group. She is also the most romantic among the women
for she has a very positive outlook on love. The last, but not the least, is
Celeste who is a nurse from the mainland and conducts community service
in the town. She is somewhat lost because of a recent heartbreak with a
certain Tomas in Manila. Even though she is sad, she was able to serve the
people, especially the children, well by taking them to the health centers
when they have health problems. She did not exclude herself from the
activities of the natives like the cashew making and the fiestas.
The Cuyanons in that town are interconnected and are very
compassionate with each other. They have a certain sense of responsibility
that they should help one another. A good example is Ploning. There is even
a time that she got out of her way even in the pouring rain just to help the
mother of Tomas to gather the salt that she was drying. In the scene wherein
Celeste picked up the papers of Ploning which are scattered on the floor,
some of the secrets of Ploning was revealed to Celeste. Ploning replied to
Celestes questions that she does not want her happiness to cause sadness
to other people that is why she keeps some things secret. One can see the
thought that Ploning puts in every action that she makes.
Significant changes happened in the town after the rains arrived. It was
revealed to everyone that Tomas, the love interest of Ploning, is already
dead. This was also the time that Digo got lost at the sea. The effect of the
rain was not only physical but also emotional and spiritual among the
Cuyanon. In the case of Ploning and her friends, they continued their lives.
But with the advancing the times and the technology, more tourists came to
the area and settled there.
It is hard to be like Ploning. She perseveres in helping her neighbors in
her village. She can be a role model to people nowadays because of her
unwavering love for others. In some ways, I can say that I am similar to her. I
always do my best in helping others even in simple ways. We also have big
differences. Ploning is a very quiet and secretive woman, while I am a
straightforward person who is not afraid of expressing my opinions and
beliefs.
In this fast-paced world we have today, there is a great need for people
like Ploning in the modern world. A person who is not afraid to help others, a
person which such a big heart.