MANILA, Philippines -- The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) has chosen the Judy Ann Santos-starrer “Ploning” as the country’s official entry for Best Foreign Language Film in the 2009 Oscars.

A special FAP committee, headed by National Artist for Film Eddie Romero, voted “Ploning” over the Sharon Cuneta-bannered “Caregiver,” three votes to two in a recent meeting.

The two movies were part of a six-film shortlist that included the Cinemalaya festival winner “Tribu” and “Endo.”

Committee members include Jose Carreon, secretary of the Directors Guild of the Philippines, Inc.; William Mayo, president of the Philippine Motion Picture Directors Association; Johnny Delgado, chairman of the Actors' Workshop Foundation; Pablo S. Gomez, president of the Screenwriters' Guild of the Philippines; and Manny Morfe, president of the Productions Designers Guild of the Philippines.