In the picturesque island of Cuyo, Palawan, an illegal Taiwanese fishing vessel docks with a fisherman named Muo Sei, a man looking for something or someone with the name Ploning. He has from sunrise to sundown to find someone with the name.

The film Ploning is a modern Filipino story of the island’s town belle of 1982. Ploning is a dutiful daughter to patriarch Susing, a committed supporter to grieving Intang, an honorary sister to extended family Nieves and Toting, a wise ally to simpleton Alma, a supporter to broken-hearted Siloy and a co-mother to half-paralysed Juaning.

Ploning, despite her renowned beauty, is single at age 30 and refuses to get married as she continues waiting for her beau Tomas, to return. Tomas left for Manila when Ploning was 16 years old and there were no sign of him coming back any time soon.

Ploning’s silent demeanor adds to the mystery and depth of love that no one seems to understand. But Ploning has kept a secret for all these years, a secret that exemplifies the selfless love that withstands blood, pain and time. This modern Filipino Masterpiece will be shown at the 2008 Toronto Film Festival.

Starring Judy Ann Santos, the film is coming to Vancouver. It will be shown at the Empire Theatres, 855 Granville St., from Sept. 12 to Sept. 18. Tickets are available at the box office for $7.99.

For show times, visit http://www.philippineasiannewstoday.com/ and look under community events.