The importance and relevance of the CinePanalo Film Festival, which is sponsored by Puregold, is not only palpable but is felt and appreciated in the four corners of the Philippine movie industry.

In its sophomore edition, hope springs eternal indeed for Philippine cinema as new and seasoned filmmakers take center stage in the film festival that gives the artistic and creative communities the platform to showcase inspiring, transformative and positive narratives in motion pictures that champion the goodness and greatness firmness of purpose and passion of Filipinos.

Cinematic gems

With a fresh batch of contenders and their full length and short cinematic gems, Puregold CinePanalo, in a span of two years, has achieved the prominence and stature of other film festivals such as the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival and the Metro Manila Film Festival.

This was achieved because the films in competition, give the audiences not the usual been there than, done that kind of narratives and the actors who are part of it, are some of Philippine cinemas best of the best.

What is most important to note, the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival contenders focus on the stories/screenplays being king thus colors and complexities, truth, goodness and the beauty of the Filipino’s way of life, are the central elements of all the movies that are in the festival. Now, we are all aware why it has rapidly become a highly anticipated event in the local film industry’s calendar.

Adding more premium to it, the millions of pesos in production grants plus the support from other institutions to provide technical, equipment and expertise, added attraction to filmmakers to participate and these givens are instruments needed to ensure the quality and integrity of the finished film outputs. This year, eight winning filmmakers each received P3,000,000, while 24 student filmmakers received P150,000 each.

Films in competition

“After an intensely competitive application period, these directors came out on top of the heap,” Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, senior marketing manager for Puregold, said. “We know they will have produced excellent and exciting films. We can’t wait to share these with the viewing public at the upcoming festival.”

The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival showcase seasoned and new directors and stars of varying experience and acclaim are its marquee names. Truly, star-studded and stellar are the best words to describe the line up of the sophomore edition of the festival.

The full length films line include Mes de Guzman’s 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 child actor Xander Nudal; Tara Illenberger’s Tigkiliwi starring Ruby Ruiz in her second Puregold CinePanalo feature with Gabby Padilla and Julian Paul Larroder; Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat’s Journeyman, with lead JC Santos and Jasmine Curtis-Smith;

TM Malones’ Salum with Allen Dizon and Christine Mary Dimaisip; Jill Singson Urdaneta’s Co-Love will showcase KD Estrada, Alexa Ilacad, Jameson Blake, and Kira Balinger; Baby Ruth Villarama’s Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea, first-ever documentary to join the Puregold CinePanalo lineup and Catsi Catalan’s Fleeting, starring Janella Salvador and RK Bagatsing.

The short films in this year’s festival are Adelbert Abrigonda (Polytechnic University of the Philippines) — “Dan, En Pointe”. Allan M. Balance Jr. (Polytechnic University of the Philippines) — “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”; Mae Malaya (University of the Philippines) — “Sisenta!”; Ira Corinne Esquerra Malit (University of Caloocan City) — “SamPie”;Naiah Nicole Mendoza (Polytechnic University of the Philippines) — “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 (Polytechnic University of the Philippines) — “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 (Polytechnic University of the Philippines) — “Our One and Only Bab(o)y”; Aubrey Soriano (Polytechnic University of the Philippines) — “Si Nadia at ang Kanyang mga Kuro-Kuro”; Jasper Tan (Far Eastern University) — “Sa Pagbunga”; Johannes Tejero (University of San Carlos) — “Daog, Pildi”; and Sean Rafael A. Verdejo (National University Laguna) — “Dela Cruz, Juan P.”

Why the sophomore year of the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival shines brighter is because the films in competition offer fresh narratives that focus attention on the nobility of the Filipino spirit, repute, faith and passion. The seasoned directors and excellent actors who are cast in the films count up to its prestige and value. The current set of green horns and young bloods infuse excitement and electrifies the cinematic universe.

The 2025 Puregold CinePanalo completed films is slated for public viewing at Gateway Cineplex 18 from 14-25 March.