Movie Review | Plane (2023)

Gerard Butler at the center as Capt. Torrance

 The Plane movie synopsis:

In the white-knuckle action movie PLANE, pilot Brodie Torrance (Gerard Butler) saves his passengers from a lightning strike by making a risky landing on a war-torn island - only to find that surviving the landing was just the beginning. When most of the passengers are taken hostage by dangerous rebels, the only person Torrance can count on for help is Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter), an accused murderer who was being transported by the FBI. In order to rescue the passengers, Torrance will need Gaspare’s help, and will learn there’s more to Gaspare than meets the eye.

This movie has received a negative impact to one Senator in the Philippines saying that it has gotten the country into a bad light. As one of the southernmost islands of the country has been involved as one of the scenes in the movie. It has been personified like the real situation but the story is really fictional.

To understand better where the good Senator has gotten irate,  to watch it makes it a better ground to make a say.

This is not being a spoiler but the story goes like a pilot's responsibility over a plane and its passengers whenever it goes and not yet on their final destination. However, there are cases of force majeure or acts of god that may happen to an aircraft anywhere in the globe. In this fictional movie, it has arrived to the shores of the southernmost island wherein there are history of atrocities by bandits. True enough, a patriotic individual will react to it because the situation is not like that at all! Yet, going back to the movie, it is a fictional movie. The airline company is not even existing to my knowledge.

Capt. Torrance desperate to communicate

So, what happened? With the natural occurrences, there is emergency situation in a remote island. In times of emergency, everyone will really be so emotional and the only thing in mind will be survival. Survival in an area where many are clueless of... That is a natural inclination. Then, the captain of the aircraft takes responsibility of everybody since they are not yet in their destination. With challenges in communication, GPS and a lot more technical stuff, any signs of help are welcomed - it's just that not all are the good people around.

Challenges of the story

It is also a natural inclination to protect the people (in this case the passengers) to fight back. Hence, there are scenes of gunfire towards the bandits. Yes, no government force were in the scenario, it may be because as the scenario suggests, it is part of a remote island and communication has been disrupted. Hence, the captain is on his own contacting his mother company. Efforts were made and too fictional that rescue were able to arrive from the mother company not even lasting a day... The crisis has not even lasted a night...

Just like any other movies, there is a better situation ahead. The crisis ended with the aircraft escaping from the remote island on the same road it landed but not really an aircraft runway. Yet the aircraft has faced several gunshots too affecting some of its functions and will allow to fly only at lower altitude and hopefully to a better place. It did!

So there, it's not the whole of the movie but it was a great emergency scenario of pilots going towards pacific islands wherein weather conditions are challenging, geographical locations are not much known, etc... etc... However, this movie has also shed a good light of the Sulu Archipelago (part of the Philippines) that there is really a lot of potential tourism activity. It has shown white sand beaches!!! In fact, that's a fact! Many of those beaches are not much visited because of the bad imagery put in the islands even not from the movie. The scenario in the islands now is better compare to decades ago. Tourism activities will really be enjoyed and it is much safe now. During the production of this movie, it has even made an economic activity to the people. Who knows, more activities will be done to make the area known and be more progressive! Well, for me, that's the beauty of making a place a movie plot. It will open to more opportunities. There may be ironies shown in the movie, but it surely will create opportunities. I just hope that the Senator will see that angle of the movie as a former movie actor himself.

For me, as a nurse, living in Mindanao, the Plane movie is not putting the country in a bad light. It is creating a story of an emergency situation involving pilots and staff. Such scenes are not simple and very challenging knowing that passengers also have different background and personalities. The captain has enacted his role to fulfill. The movie has shown the biases of many people because of misinformation. A lot of angles that I have seen in the movie, perhaps an eye opener.

That's just my movie review and yours may be different. Every opinion is appreciated just be constructive. Thank you!

Thanks for dropping by my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.

Photo credits from the official website of the Plane.

Food | Tummy Treats in Jolo, Sulu, Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelago wherein different island groups may have a surprise especially on food. Sulu archipelago, for one, has an interesting gastronomic treat. Here, I will present you some of the Tausug prepared food. It will not be a surprise if their food is compared or similar with some Malay dish as the archipelago is near Malaysia. Of course, we should not forget too that we, Filipinos, come from the Malay race. Also, the archipelago has an open trade with the nearby countries of Malaysia and Indonesia. I hope this will also catch your appetite as it did with me. ;-)

Disclaimer: I am not a food geek. I just eat. Please bear with me. :-p

Mee Goreng

First, the mee goreng. It is a Malay noodle dish that has some spices mixed with some vegetables. This is commonly known as the fried noodles. They say it is not spicy but for me, it is; or I have eaten a chili in it. hahaha However, it is oh so good.

Beef Kulma

Second, the beef kulma. The soft beef meat is cooked with spices and sauce similar with curry. This is a winner for me! I just love the spice in it that is not too strong and the softness of the beef - not gummy.

Pianggang

Third, the pianggang, another Tausug food. It is a grilled chicken cooked in a coconut milk. There is this subtleness on the dish. I have not thought of it cooked in coconut milk but the meat is creamy. Perhaps the milk is neutralized by the after grill effect of the meat but remains an ingredient to make the meat creamy. I hope I got it right. :-p

Tiyula Itum or Black Soup

Fourth, tiyula itum or known as the black soup. This is another Tausug dish that is either with beef or goat meat. It is a soup with some spices too. When you mix the soup, some black residue from burnt coconut will appear. They say it is spicy but not really. It tastes good!

Togue and Fish

Fifth and sixth, togue and fish. You can eat these anywhere in the country. :-p

Satti

Seventh, the satti! It is a perfect dish for breakfast! The meat is grilled, then after grilling it will be dipped on this red spicy hot thick sauce - I don't know the components of it but I am sure it is not catsup! It has rice in it which I think is cooked through coconut leaves or known as the pusò. Many associate this dish in Zamboanga, but this is a perfect satti in Jolo, Sulu. It is just really perfect!

Then, there are some snack items to choose from.

Apam

First, the apam. It is known as the Tausug pancake. It is thick and good to eat when hot.

Sticky Rice Purple Cake

Second, the purple part of sapin-sapin or the sticky rice cake.

Pitis

Third, the pitis, one of my favorites! It has a sweetened desiccated coconut inside covered by a purple sticky rice.

Panganan or Unknown

Fourth, the panganan or unknown. It is not a joke, but it is for you to name the dish. It is a red bean (red mongo) cake which I think is fried because of its crispy texture. I also love this.

Punjung and Wajit

Lastly, the punjung and wajit. Do you see that conical dish at the top center? That is punjung. A snack item which is made of rice flour which is a bit sweetened cooked through steam. Unfortunately, the wajit is not opened in this photo. The big one at the center which is wrapped by a banana leaf. I also love this one; it is like the biko or the common rice cake in the Philippines yet mixed in brown and purple.

These food are really awesome! The spices... The coconut component of the dishes... The grilled food... The snack items... Everything is worthy to try and taste!

That's plenty to serve, isn't it? That's not yet all that can be tasted in Jolo, Sulu. Halal prepared food is plenty in Sulu archipelago. A lot of food that are traditionally prepared and constant to our Malay heritage.

Thanks to the sponsor of these great dishes - Kath! The work with food trip is so fun! :-)

I hope you share your story, too, here in my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com.

Travel | Tales from Sulu Part 2

Part 2

The trip from Zamboanga City to Sulu is very pleasant. I liked it because I never felt we sailed but arrived at the destination. I thank the fine weather for that. Read the Part 1 here.

Upon docking at the Port of Jolo, I tried to keep myself calm as there is an excitement in me of what to see and hear in the province. Not to my surprise, I heard some blast being fired from afar. I am not sure if that is a cannon or close encounter with rebels. That day we visited is the end of Ramadan or the Eid'l Fitr. It is a celebration welcomed with a bang! It is like a new year for our Muslim friends; a day that they celebrate the holiest time among the Muslims. I just ignored the blast knowing that there is ceasefire because of the celebration. :-P

Jolo, Sulu Tricycle: Calesa-like

At the Port of Jolo, my attention is caught by a tricycle. It is the first time i saw a tricycle! LOL Kidding aside, I am simply happy to see such a design that I think is unique in Jolo, Sulu. The design is simple but for me it stands out. Its design is like a small calesa but attached to a bicycle. Some other tricycles I have seen in other provinces in the country are fancy decorated but this one is simple and authentic.

Travel | Tales from Sulu Part 1

Sulu is a province in the Southwestern part of the Philippines. Jolo is the capital of the province wherein people residing there are mostly native tausug. The place is dominantly Muslim. It is also one of the places feared by many as it is home of the bandits known as Abu Sayyaf.

It is really sad that a place will be labeled as a place you should not get into. I mean, it instills fear even one hasn't gotten there yet. This travel out of work is really something that excites me; a place not usually visited yet is supported by our project. I want to share what I saw in the place. Hence, I have here a 2-part blog post.

Zamboanga Airport

From Manila, there is no direct flight to Sulu. One has to travel to Zamboanga City then ride a fast craft or a usual cargo and passenger vessel to go to Sulu. If a fast craft is taken, it will take 4 to 5 hours to arrive Sulu. However, our visit is a day before the end of Ramadan, only the cargo and passenger vessel that ships cargoes and people from Zamboanga City to Sulu is available and it takes 10 to 12 hours to arrive Sulu.