The potential of Culion to become a popular tourist attraction did not escape the cast of the movie Culion, who expressed amazement about their stay on the island for the filming of the movie.
Joem Bascon, who played the character of Kanor in the movie, told Palawan News the island has rich flora and fauna that will impress visitors. However, he also expressed that this beauty might be lost if mishandled.
“Sobrang ganda, syempre sinasabi nila na Palawan would be the last frontier. Sobrang rich ng flora and fauna. Ang laki ng potensyal niya pero I am just so scared din at the same time kasi baka ma-mishandle siya,” he said.
He expressed hope that once it starts to boom as a tourist destination, people would take care of it because its beauty will not be replicated.
The cast said they were also impressed about how the locals, including many who were employed during the movie production, treated them during their stay.
“I am very happy at sobrang tuwang-tuwa kami kasi magagaling sila umarte. Syempre iba yong nakukuha namin na energy from them. They came from the original people of Culion, sila yong apu-apuhan, apo sa tuhod. We’re very happy to get the energy from them kasi yun ang kwento nila,” he said.
Mercedes Cabral also said that she is interested to come back to the island. Aside from its beauty, she said she was also pleased with how the locals respected their personal spaces.
“Masaya kasi nakapunta ako sa Puerto Princesa and El Nido. So, first time ko makita itong Culion. Ang ganda kasi nga ang liit lang niya na isla, small community. Nakakatuwa yong mga tao welcoming sila, very warm. Naikot ko rin yong museum, maganda yong lugar at saka tahimik kasi,” she said.
Mike Liwag also shared his fun experience during their stay in Culion. He said that he ran around the town as his exercise and was happy to immerse himself with the locals.
“Sa Culion, tumatakbo ako kapag wala akong shoot, ginagawa ko siyang exercise. May times (na sinusundan ng tao) kami pero natutuwa kami kasi nakakasalamuha namin yong mga tao,” he said.
Joem said their shoot was an adventure in itself because it was during a typhoon.
“It was fun. The experience was very adventurous. During the shoot, umuulan, tumitigil then uulan tapos magso-shoot. Ang kalaban namin would be the weather. But it was a fun shoot dahil nakapag-bonding kami with the whole cast, the staff, with directors,” he said.
Mercedes said that due to the participation of locals, efforts of the whole team and the content of the story, she could say that Culion is a must-watch movie in the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival.
“Kapag napanood niyo ito, talagang may puso, may lalim, may bigat siya na ang galing,” Mercedes said.
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