This is the Future of Philippine Filmmaking
Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2025 showcased the exceptional art of cinema on its second edition.
Words Yra Luis Gener Gutierrez
Photos Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival
April 7, 2025
On March 19, 2025, at The Elements, Eton Centris in Quezon City, the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2025 recognized and awarded both renowned and emerging storytellers who are shaping the future of Philippine cinema.
Festival Chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad expressed her belief that the festival will always be a home for Filipino filmmakers. “The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival will always be fueled by a deep love for the art of cinema, and an even deeper ambition to show what Philippine talent and passion has to offer,” she said. “With the CinePanalo having reached a successful second edition, the possibilities are now endless.”
She also shared her excitement for future editions, saying, “We can’t wait for all the wonderful films yet to grace the Puregold CinePanalo in all the years to come.”
Winners for Full-length category
During its awarding night, the Hiligaynon full-length film Salum, directed by TM Malones, was named Pinakapanalong Pelikula and received four additional awards: Panalo sa Production Design, Panalo sa Sound Design, Panalo sa Musical Scoring, along with a cash prize of PHP 250,000.
In a similar feat, another Hiligaynon film, Tigkiliwi, took home seven awards, two of which were for Panalong Karangalan Mula sa Hurado and Panalo sa Kwento, awarded to writer-director Tara Illenberger.
Notably, the jury for this category included Festival Director Chris Cahilig, Festival Chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, Republic Creative Creations, Inc. representative Sonny Bautista, directors Jeffrey Jeturian and Mae Cruz-Alviar, writer and producer Moira Lang, and Estonian filmmaker Tinna Lokk, the festival director of Tallinn Black Nights.
Moreover, the Panalong Aktor award was shared between JP Larroder, who portrayed Tata in Tigkiliwi, and Khalil Ramos, who played Olsen in Olsen’s Day, directed by JP Habac, who also won the Panalong Direktor award. Interestingly, Journeyman, directed by Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat, was awarded Panalo sa Cinematography.
Journeyman bagged a total of six awards, including Panalo sa International Jury, Panalo sa Cinematography, Panalo sa Film Poster, the MTRCB Special Award for Responsableng Paglikha, Panalo sa Brand Intrusion, and the Puregold Always Panalo film, which it shared with Fleeting, directed by Catsi Catalan.
Winners for student-short category
In the student shorts category, Champ Green, directed by Clyde Cuizon Gamale, was awarded Panalong Maikling Pelikula, along with four other awards: Panalong Pangalawang Aktor for Sole Eugenio, Panalo sa Kwento, Panalo sa Brand Intrusion, the Mowelfund Special Citation, and a cash prize of PHP 100,000.
Uwian, a film by Panalong Direktor winner Vhan Marco Molacruz, a student from Colegio de San Juan de Letran, took home five additional awards: Panalo sa Musical Scoring, Panalo sa Production Design, Panalong Aktres for Geraldine Villamil, and Panalong Pangalawang Aktres for Uzziel Delamide.
Sean Rafael Verdejo’s Dela Cruz, Juan P. was awarded Panalong Karangalang Mula sa Hurado, while SamPie, directed by Ira Corinne Esguerra Malit, won the Puregold Always Panalo Film Award.
