by Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA CITY, Basilan, May 8 (PIA) – The
Superstar Nora Aunor, her co-stars and the film’s crew have just concluded
their shooting recently of Brillante Mendoza’s new film titled “Thy Womb”, a
love drama portraying a Bajau couple’s sacrosanct relationship as husband and
wife though unblessed with offspring.
The controversial Cannes-film winning
director Mendoza said in an interview that “this cultural and dramatic film
would portray the people of Mindanao, especially, Tawi-Tawi and that they [the
people of Mindanao] are [also] capable of loving.”
“That in spite of the troubles and conflicts
evident in Mindanao, there are people here, who are capable of loving and
peaceful as well,” Mendoza stressed.
He also said that the film would somehow
convey to the world the tourism potentials of Tawi-Tawi saying that this
southern frontier of the country has peace and serenity with beautiful sites
worth visiting.
Mendoza also said that they have chosen
Tawi-Tawi as a location shooting because it delivers the scenario and the
characters needed for the film.
For their part, Aunor and Roco, expressed
their appreciation of Tawi-Tawi’s hospitality and said that they are captivated
by the beauty of this southern province.
Ms. Aunor plays the lead character as a
midwife named Salehah and is co-starred by Bembol Roco as Bangas-an, Lovi Poe
and Mercedes Cabral with support cast from the locals of Tawi-Tawi.
The movie depicts the seafaring Bajau tribe
of Tawi-Tawi, their culture and tradition and it tells the story of a Bajau
woman who is more than willing to endure personal sacrifice for the sake of her
eternal love for her husband.
Aunor flew in to Tawi-Tawi last April 14, to shoot
the indie film, her first since returning from a hiatus in the United States.
Shooting took place in at least 3 locations: the island-towns of Bongao,
Sitangkai and Taganak. She left the province last April 28.
Meanwhile, Provincial Information Officer
Nash Tahang said that the local government officials and the locals of
Tawi-Tawi was elated and honored and was grateful to the film-makers for
choosing the province to be the location for the Superstar’s new film.
Vice Governor Ruby Sahali said that this
movie will eventually help pump prime the exposure of the province’s tourism
potentials not only for the local visitors influx, but more so, that of the
foreigners.
“These are the days Tawi-Tawi shines with the
superstar,” she said.
