8 Cliffside Locations That Would Have Been Perfect for Widows' War's Finale

In filmmaking, locations play a pivotal element in the weaving of a story, thus enhancing the recall of a particular scene in the minds of the viewers. One example was the Leonardo DiCaprio starrer The Beach, which made Thailand's Maya Bay and Khao San Road a staple in every backpacker’s Southeast Asian itinerary. Going back further in time, one could also point out how the hills of Salzburg, Austria, became forever alive in the memory of those who’ve seen The Sound of Music.

When it comes to South Korean drama series, countless tourists (and K-drama fans) visit the country to take photographs of locations shown in popular series such as Itaewon Class, Vincenzo, Goblin, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, Kingdom, and The King: Eternal Monarch, just to name a few.

Fans of GMA Network's acclaimed series Widows' War ended up having divided responses this month over the use of green screen technology in one of its crucial scenes in the finale episode—the one with George (Carla Abellana) and Sam (Bea Alonzo) talking to each other while standing on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Those who did not follow the series and only saw the controversial scene online found the decision not to shoot in an actual location hideous, citing the unrealistic appearance of the scene itself.

Carla Abellana and Bea Alonzo in Widows' War

It’s safe to say the team behind Widows' War would have been wise to have opted for a location shoot instead of using a green screen. Yes, filming on location will undoubtedly raise the production budget, but considering the positive returns, such as critical acclaim, boosting the local tourism where it was shot, and future recall of the scene if done correctly, the added cost would be worth it.

The Philippines is home to numerous stunning cliffside views that could be used as filming spots. In case Widows' War was to return for another season and continue the story from where Sam was pushed to her death, we created a partial list of some of the most picturesque spots where they could film sans the use of a green screen.

Nagudungan Hills in Calayan, Cagayan

Overlooking Cibang Cove, the long stretch of beach filled with powdery white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters, Nagudungan Hill can be easily scaled in under 15 minutes, that is, if the sweeping 360-degree view of the island's surroundings doesn't make you pause and stare at it for too long.

With a lighthouse perched on top and countless goats milling around, this could be one of the best vantage points in the country to view the sunset. The only downside to going to Calayan Island is the five- to six-hour sea journey amidst giant waves, but the island currently has a small airport and runway that await the resumption of commercial flights.

Still, despite the long journey reaching this island farther up the northern coast of Cagayan province, the beauty of the island will make the long trip worthwhile.

I understand why any film production might be hesitant to shoot here, given the lengthy ferry boat ride. Imagine persuading Bea Alonzo and Carla Abellana to board a passenger boat knifing through waves the size of a house in the waters of the Philippine Sea. However, the possibility of creating an epic scene in the hills of Nagudungan, Cibang Cove, the surrounding beaches, and several waterfalls on the island is highly likely to become a fixture in the minds of Pinoy pop culture fans, similar to how the movie Temptation Island made the sand dunes of Paoay a nostalgic site to visit.

Dingalan, Aurora

When I went here some years back, I stood on top of a rock, arms outstretched, channeling Edmond Dantes from The Count of Monte Cristo, staring at freedom. I instantly understood how this location could evoke images from various literary and cinematic works. This hill in Dingalan, Aurora, a popular fun hiking destination among travelers, is an ideal filming location for a film or series looking to incorporate a picturesque view of rolling terrain fringed with jagged cliffs and the azure-colored ocean. Since the hill overlooks the expansive Pacific Ocean, it would be easy for Widows' War viewers to imagine the powerful winds ruffling Sam's hair as she tells George, "Magpapahangin muna ako", in the series’ controversial cliffside scene.

San Vicente, Palawan

Even if Widows' War opted to film here overlooking the long 14-kilometer white sand beach of San Vicente, ABS-CBN's Ningning has already beaten them to it first. Tourists now refer to a massive boulder on one of the beach's hills as "Bato ni Ningning" after the series featured it.

Regardless, if Widows' War executes an even more impressive scene, it's likely that the hill where Bato ni Ningning is positioned, which has become an Instagrammable spot, will even become known as "Sam's Rock," in reference to Bea Alonzo's character.

Biri Island, Northern Samar

The cliffside views found on Biri Island in Northern Samar can even become a setting for a science fiction film or series, as it is comprised of a series of rocky islands boasting otherworldly landscapes—one of which can even pass up as the surface of the moon.

Facing the perilous waters of the Pacific Ocean and the San Bernardino Strait, one can wade in knee-deep natural pools during low tide and climb each of the rock formations named Magsapad, Macadlao, Magasang, Bil-at, and Karanas.

Film scouting managers from years ago were already captivated by the spectacular view from the top of each rocky islet, as this location served as a filming location for at least a couple of movies: the 1992 drama Iisa Pa Lamang, starring Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta, and the 2000 fantasy-horror Spirit Warriors, starring the Streetboys.

Racuh a Payaman (Marlboro Hills), Batanes

During the pre-travel boom days, most Filipinos could only see such landscapes in magazines and on television. It's no wonder this place was first compared to the 1980s and '90s Marlboro TV commercials where a cigarette-smoking cowboy shepherds dozens of cows across waving hills.

Called by the locals as Racuh a Payaman, in reference to the Ivatan term for "big pasture" or "malaking pastulan," this remarkable expanse of hills unfolds endlessly, revealing breathtaking cliffside scenes that frame the majestic Mount Iriya in the distance.

Places like Racuh a Payaman should serve as a reminder that filming in a beautiful place like Batanes would have guaranteed every scene will be remembered long after the credits roll.

Binurong Point in Baras, Catanduanes

Towering atop the island's many lofty rock platforms, Binurong Point allows visitors to take in the breathtaking panorama of the Pacific Ocean and the picturesque countryside as they watch the enormous waves crash against the colossal boulders below.

Having the Widows' War characters Sam and George stand and talk under or behind one of the several massive rock fragments, with the sun's iridescent radiance contrasting with the verdant hills and the soft whisper of the wind howling in the background, would have created an entrancing setting in which the two characters reflect on the challenges they faced as well as have a lot to talk about the abundant beauty of their surroundings.

La Palmera Mountain Ridge in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat

The La Palmera Mountain Ridge’s rolling peaks and green valleys are nestled in the mountainous part of Sultan Kudarat in central Mindanao. These rugged hilltops were once home to a plantation tended by the indigenous B'laan people of Southern Mindanao; today, a sea of waving cogon grass covers the land.

Filming a scene here for a movie or a series also presents an opportunity to highlight local culture, as visitors to this place are often graced by a lively cultural performance by members of the B'laan community, adorned with their colorful traditional clothing, as they dance to an energetic choreography accompanied by rhythmic drumming beats and music composed by their ancestors.

The Rice Terraces of the Cordillera

Possibly the easiest choice to make when a film location scout is tasked with looking for a spot with jaw-dropping cliffside views because the rice terraces of Cordillera present a wealth of options.

There's plenty to shoot at, especially in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites encompassing five clusters in the region: the ones in Batad, Hungduan, Nagacadan, Bangaan, and Mayoyao. Trekking through the snaking footpath of the rice terraces will always lead you to a platform where you can view an amazing set of nature below—green rice fields and unending, serpentine rows of terraced fields stretching until they disappear from sight.

Filming a scene here will also showcase one of the country’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites and can possibly inspire a resurgence of a tourism boom in the region.

Given the advancement of technology in today's filmmaking process, which involves the usage of green screens, it is reasonable that many productions choose to capitalize on this trend. However, in some circumstances, especially when the end product falls short of the quality or standards that viewers have come to expect, it is still preferable to film using traditional methods, such as going on-site and setting up a scene against a magnificent backdrop.

Doing so will rack up the filming cost, but the end result far outweighs any additional expenses, as a well-shot scene set in an ideal location can stand out and also cause a snowball effect that will benefit the community through a boost in local tourism, as well as the promotion of the location’s culture and history when curious viewers start to look for the place online.