It is Day Three of the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, and attention is already turning to the upcoming awards night on 19 March at The Elements at Centris, where this year’s top performances will be honored.
With screenings ongoing at Gateway Cineplex 18, audiences continue to explore the festival’s lineup of full-length and student short films, featuring a mix of established names and emerging talents.
The festival moves forward despite the withdrawal of Baby Ruth Villarama’s documentary Food Delivery, which was pulled out from the feature competition just before opening day due to “external factors.” Even with this unexpected change, the conversation now focuses on the actors vying for this year’s acting honors.
The nominees for Panalong Aktres include Janella Salvador (Fleeting), Christine Mary Demaisip (Salum) and Ruby Ruiz (Tigkiliwi). In the Panalong Aktor category, the nominees are RK Bagatsing (Fleeting), Khalil Ramos (Olsen’s Day), JP Larroder (Tigkiliwi), JC Santos (Journeyman), KD Estrada and Jameson Blake (both for Co-Love), Enzo Osorio (Sepak Takraw) and Allen Dizon (Salum).
The supporting categories bring another strong lineup of contenders. Panalong Pangalawang Aktres nominees include Sherry Lara and Che Ramos (Olsen’s Day), Gabby Padilla (Tigkiliwi), Jasmine Curtis-Smith (Journeyman) and Alexa Ilacad and Kira Balinger (Co-Love). Meanwhile, the Panalong Pangalawang Aktor category features Raffy Tejada (Journeyman), Romnick Sarmenta and Bodjie Pascua (Olsen’s Day) and Jeffrey Jiruma and Nathan Sotto (Tigkiliwi).
These nominees were selected from the festival’s seven full-length films by a jury that includes filmmakers Jeffery Jeturian and Mae Cruz-Alviar, producer Moira Lang, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival director Tiinna Lokk, representatives from Republic Creative Creations Inc., festival director Christopher Cahilig and festival chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad.
Beyond the full-length categories, the festival also highlights performances in the student shorts competition. Competing for Panalong Aktres are Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino (Sisenta!), Geraldine Villamil (Uwian), Atasha Eve Franco (Taympers), Sue Prado (Sa Susunod Sisikat si Susan), Yani Villarosa (Si Nadia at ang Kanyang mga Kuro-Kuro), Marian Namanama (Champ Green) and Angela Jane Delgado (Daeaura).
Meanwhile, nominees for Panalong Aktor include Lucas Martin (Sampie), Jasper John (Dela Cruz, Juan P.), Ronjaé Realubin (Dan, En Pointe), Ethan Lloyd Loyogoy (Sine-Sine), AJ Benoza (Checkmate), John Clark Tapales (G!) and Benjie Belena (Sa Pagbunga).
In the supporting categories, Panalong Pangalawang Aktres nominees are Uzziel Delamide (Uwian), Miel Espinoza (Taympers), Zoey Lim (Sampie), Maria Miranda (Our One and Only Bab(o)y), Carla Zarcal (Sisenta!), Misha Fabian and Dada Garcia (both for Dela Cruz, Juan P.). Competing for Panalong Pangalawang Aktor are Ryan John Nazario (G!), Chino Alfonso (Dan, En Pointe), Sol Eugenio (Champ Green), Eddie Arca (Sine-Sine), Esteban Mara (Dela Cruz, Juan P.) and Timothy Morales (Let’s Go Somewhere Else).
The student shorts jury includes directors Victor Villanueva, Tony Reyes and Emmanuel dela Cruz, film critic Lito Zulueta, actress Jan Marini and festival representatives.
All seven full-length films and 24 student shorts are currently screening exclusively at Gateway Cineplex 18 in Quezon City. Tickets are priced at P250, with a discounted rate of P200 for students, PWDs, senior citizens and members of Tindahan ni Aling Puring and Perks Card holders. A Puregold CinePanalo Festival Pass is also available for P2,000, granting access to all films.
The festival will run until 25 March.