Festival director Christopher Cahilig (extreme left) and festival chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad (extreme right) alongside directors Christian and Dominic Lat and the cast and crew of their film Journeyman.

8 new films with bolder visions  comprise Puregold CinePanalo 2025

Filmmakers who are set to participate at the upcoming 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival were recently presented in a press conference held at the Artson Events Place in Quezon City.

With a fresh group of contenders and their entries riding on the momentum of last year’s hugely successful festival, Puregold CinePanalo is fast turning out to be a hotly anticipated event in the local film industry’s calendar.

Millions of pesos in production grants are a great part of the draw. In Puregold CinePanalo’s 2025 run, the bounty benefitted eight winning filmmakers who received P3,000,000 each, as well as 24  student filmmakers who received P150,000 each.

With the support of Puregold CinePanalo, aspiring new filmmakers are inspired to craft uplifting stories with the theme, “Mga Kwentong Panalo ng Buhay.”

The festival’s partners include the MTRCB, Gateway Cineplex 18, Mowelfund, Terminal Six, CMB Films, and MFP Rentals.

Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, senior marketing manager for Puregold said, “After an intensely competitive application period, these directors came out on top of the heap.”

Mes de Guzman directs Sepak Takraw, starring Enzo Osorio, Nicollo Castillo, Ruby Ruiz, and Acey Aguilar.JP Habac’s Olsen’s Day will feature Khalil Ramos, Romnick Sarmenta, and Xander Nuda.

Tara Illenberger helms Tigkiliwi starring Ruby Ruiz in her second Puregold CinePanalo feature, Gabby Padilla, and Julian Paul Larroder.Dynamic duo Christian Paolo Lat & Dominic Lat are directing Journeyman, starring JC Santos and Jasmine Curtis-Smith.

TM Malones will be working on Salum with stars Allen Dizon and Christine Mary Dimaisip.Jill Singson Urdaneta’s Co-Love will showcase KD Estrada, Alexa Ilacad, Jameson Blake, and Kira Balinger.

Meanwhile, Baby Ruth Villarama’s Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea will mark the first-ever documentary to join the Puregold CinePanalo line upAnother historic first sees noted producer Catsi Catalan making her directorial debut with the film Fleeting, starring Janella Salvador and RK Bagatsing.

The 24 student filmmakers from universities across the country are:

Adelbert Abrigonda (Polytechnic University of the Philippines) – “Dan, En Pointe”

Allan M. Balance Jr. (PUP) – “Cancer Din Ang Zodiac Sign Mo?”

Angel Allizon Cruz (University of Santo Tomas) – “Dito, Dati”

Roniño Dolim (University of Eastern Philippines) – “Sine-Sine”

Kenneth Flores (Far Eastern University) – “1… 2… Strike!!!”

Austine Rae R. Fresnido (FAITH Colleges) – “Sa Susunod Sisikat si Susan”

Clyde Cuizon Gamale (University of the Philippines) – “Champ Green”        

Bjorn M. Herrera (Central Philippine University) – “Nanay’s Frankenstein”

Maria Eleanor P. Javier (University of the Philippines Visayas) – “Mother at Sixty”

Producer Ivan Gentolizo representing Mae Malaya (University of the Philippines) – “Sisenta!”

Ira Corinne Esquerra Malit (University of Caloocan City) – “SamPie”

Naiah Nicole Mendoza (PUP) – “Taympers”

Vhan Marco B. Molacruz (Colegio de San Juan de Letran) – “Uwian”

Jadrien Morales (University of the Philippines) – “Let’s Go Somewhere Else”

Regene Narciso (Dalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo) – “Papunta Ka Pa Lang, Naka-Bounce Na Ako”

Alexie Nicole Pardo (PUP) – “Checkmate”

Kieth Earl B. Rebaño (University of the Philippines Visayas) – “Daeaura”

John Lester Rimorin (University of the Philippines) – “Japan Surplus”

Jose Andy Sales (University of San Carlos) – “G!”

Mark Joseph Sanchez (PUP) – “Our One and Only Bab(o)y”

Aubrey Soriano (PUP) –  “Si Nadia at ang Kanyang mga Kuro-Kuro”

Jasper Tan (Far Eastern University) – “Sa Pagbunga”

Johannes Tejero (University of San Carlos) – “Daog, Pildi”

Sean Rafael A. Verdejo (National University Laguna) – “Dela Cruz, Juan P.”

 The films will be screened at Gateway Cineplex 18 from March 14 to 25, 2025.

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