BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED
by Noni Abao
Screening Schedule
- Date:
- Time:
- Location:
- September 20, 2025
- 9 AM – 12 PM
- UP Film Media Center Studio
About the Film
SYNOPSIS
The Cagayan Valley Region in the Philippines serves as the dedicated workplace of Agnes (a development worker), the chosen home of Amanda (a jailed mother-artist-activist), and the birthplace of Randy (a slain peace consultant). Yet, they find themselves unable to return home: one is relentlessly pursued by the government, another is imprisoned, and the third is killed on his journey home.
The paths taken by these three activists will be explored including the pit stops, obstacles, detours, and the long road ahead in the journey towards rebuilding a home with the people of Cagayan – a place that they work together to shape, and also shape who they are.
Amid all these, the film explores their disrupted connections to home and celebrates their enduring resilience in the face of adversity.
FESTIVALS AND AWARDS
- Best Film, 21 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, Philippines (2025)
- Best Editing, 21 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, Philippines (2025)
- Best First Feature, 6th Pinoy Rebyu Awards, Society of Filipino Film Reviewers
- Best Documentary Runner-Up, 6th Pinoy Rebyu Awards, Society of Filipino Film Reviewers
ABOUT THE FILMMAKER
Noni Abao is a graduate of Film at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He works as a freelance producer and production manager for films, digital ads, and AVPs.
His documentary film, Dagami Daytoy (This Is Our Land) won best documentary at the 32nd Gawad CCP para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at video, and Yale Environment 360! It was also screened in international festivals such as the 8th Liberation Docfest Bangladesh, 4th Seashorts Film Festival, and 12th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival. His film was also nominated in the Best Documentary section of Gawad Urian 2020.
In 2019, he produced Glenn Barit’s debut feature “Cleaners” and Che Tagyamon’s short “Judy Free”, both won Best Film in QCinema International Film Festival 2019.
He worked as a human rights worker for KARAPATAN in the Cagayan Valley Region. Currently, he is affiliated with Taripnong- Cagayan Valley, a network of professionals forwarding concerns of Region 2.
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