Hiligaynon full-length film Salum and Mindanaoan short film Champ Green shine bright at the Puregold CinePanalo 2025 awards night

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Hiligaynon full-length film Salum directed by TM Malones and Mindanaoan short film Champ Green were honored the top prizes in their respective categories at the second edition of the wildly successful Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival.

At the awarding ceremony, held on March 19 at The Elements, Eton Centris in Quezon City, Salum took home four Puregold CinePanalo trophies in the full-length category namely: Panalong Pelikula, Panalo sa Production Design, Panalo sa Sound Design, and Panalo sa Musical Scoring as well as a cash prize of PhP 250,000. Meanwhile, Champ Green received a PhP 100,000 cash prize and five trophies in the student shorts category including Panalong Maikling Pelikula, Panalong Pangalawang Aktor for Sol Eugenio, Panalo sa Kwento, Panalo sa Brand Intrusion, and Mowelfund Special Citation.

In addition, Champ Green, being the students shorts winner, also won film equipment including a Black Mist ⅛, a Dream Filter, a Blue Lightstreak Filter from MFP Rentals and Kase Philippines; a Nanlite FC 60B with Merch from MQ Group and Nanlite Philippines; and a Hollyland Lark C1 Wireless Microphone from Sieztech Enterprize and Hollyland Tech Philippines. Champ Green also won an extra PHP25,000 for winning the Panalo sa Brand Intrusion, as did fellow short film G! and full-length film Journeyman who won the same award; as well as Checkmate and Taympers, who similarly tied for Pinakapanalong Promosyon ng Pelikula. Each of these sponsors gladly awarded Champ Green with the equipment in order to support the development of young Filipino filmmakers such as Champ Green director Clyde Cuizon Gamale.

JP Habac was named Panalong Direktor (Best Director) for his work on Olsen’s Day at Puregold CinePanalo 2025.

The Panalong Aktor (Best Actor) for the full-length category was awarded to Khalil Ramos (Olsen’s Day). He shares this award with JP Larroder (Tigkiliwi).

The Mowelfund Special Citation was awarded to Olsen’s Day in the full-length category.

Talented actress Alexa Ilacad, who stars in Co-Love, at the Puregold CinePanalo 2025.

Tigkiliwi takes home the Panalong Karangalan mula sa Hurado for the full-length category. 

Director Tara Illenberger proudly receives the Panalong Karangalan Mula sa Hurado (Jury Prize) for Tigkiliwi at Puregold CinePanalo 2025.

In the full-length category, another Hiligaynon film Tigkiliwi nabbed seven trophies including Panalong Karangalan Mula sa Hurado and Panalo sa Kwento for its writer-director Tara Illenberger. The charming film about a community of misfits swept the acting awards categories including Panalong Aktres for Ruby Ruiz, and Panalong Pangalawang Aktor for Jeffrey Jiruma. 

In an interesting turn of events, two ties were declared during the awards night. The Panalong Aktor trophy was shared between JP Larroder as Tigkiliwi’s Tata, and Khalil Ramos as the titular Olsen in Olsen’s Day while both Journeyman and Olsen’s Day were declared the winners of the Panalo sa Cinematography category. Meanwhile, JP Habac of Olsen’s Day bagged the Panalong Direktor award.

Journeyman by the sibling-tandem of Christian Paolo and Dominic Lat took home a total of six trophies namely: Panalo Sa International Jury, Panalo sa Cinematography (tie with Olsen’s Day), 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 the romantic-comedy film Fleeting by Catsi Catalan.

For the student shorts, Uwian, directed by Panalong Direktor winner Vhan Marco Molacruz of Colegio de San Juan de Letran crushed the competition, winning five different awards including Panalong Direktor, Panalo sa Musical Scoring, Panalo sa Production Design, Panalong Aktres for Geraldine Villamil, and Panalong Pangalawang Aktres for Uzziel Delamide.

Other notable entries to the student shorts category included Sean Rafael Verdejo’s absurdist dramedy Dela Cruz, Juan P., which took home Panalong Karangalan Mula sa Hurado; as well as Ira Corinne Esguerra’s coming-of-age sibling story SamPie, which took home the Puregold Always Panalo Film award.

Each award was deliberated upon by an impressive lineup of qualified judges, including Festival Director Christopher Cahilig, Festival Chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, and Republic Creative Creations, Inc. representative Sonny Bautista, each of whom sat on both the student shorts and full-length jury panels. Joining them on the students shorts panel were directors Emmanuel Dela Cruz and Victor Villanueva, as well as film critic Lito Zulueta. The full-length jury panel, on the other hand, consisted of Cahilig, Hayagan-Piedad, and Bautista, as well as directors Jeffrey Jeturian and Mae Cruz-Alviar, writer and producer Moira Lang, and Estonian filmmaker Tiina Lokk, the festival director of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.

This year’s CinePanalo saw increased grants for all entries, with PHP 3,000,000 grants for full-length entries, and P150,000 grants for student shorts. The festival was also supported in large part by its partner organizations ​​Terminal Six Post, CMB Film Services Inc., Gateway Cineplex 18, MFP Rentals, the MTRCB,  and the Mowelfund Film Institute.

Puregold Senior Marketing Manager and Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival Chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad and Festival Director Christopher Cahilig

“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,” said Festival Chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad. “With the CinePanalo having reached a successful second edition, the possibilities are now endless. We can’t wait for all the wonderful films yet to grace the Puregold CinePanalo in all the years to come.”

Salum, Champ Green, and all the other full-length and student short films of the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2025 will continue to screen exclusively at the Gateway Cineplex 18, Cubao, Quezon City until the closing of the festival on March 25. Regular tickets are P250, with discounts available for students, PWDs, seniors, Tindahan ni Aling Puring, and Perks Card members for P200. Meanwhile, festival passes for the entire experience cost P2,000, granting holders entrance to all official movie entries.

Young filmmakers pose with Festival Director and award-winning filmmaker, Chris Cahilig.

 

FULL LIST OF WINNERS:

Pinakapanalong Pelikula

Full-Length: Salum (TM Malones)

Student Shorts: Champ Green (Clyde Cuizon Gamale)

 

Puregold Always Panalo Film

Full-Length: Journeyman (Christian Paolo Lat & Dominic Lat), Fleeting (Catsi Catalan)

Student Shorts: Sampie, (Ira Corinne Esquerra Malit)

 

Panalong Direktor

Full-Length: JP Habac, Olsen’s Day

Student Shorts: Vhan Marco B. Molacruz, Uwian

 

Panalong Aktres

Full-Length: Ruby Ruiz as Nay Pansay, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: Geraldine Villamil as Remy, Uwian

 

Panalong Aktor

Full-Length:

Khalil Ramos as Olsen, Olsen’s Day

JP Larroder as Tata, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: 

Lucas Martin as Sam, SamPie

Jasper John as Juan Dela Cruz, Dela Cruz, Juan P.

 

Panalong Karangalan Mula sa Mga Hurado

Full-Length: Tigkiliwi (Tara Illenberger)

Student Shorts: Dela Cruz, Juan P. (Sean Rafael A. Verdejo)

 

Panalo Sa Mga Manonood

Full-Length: Co-Love (Jill Singson Urdaneta)

Student Shorts: Sisenta! (Mae Malaya)

 

Panalong Pangalawang Aktres

Full-Length: Gabby Padilla as Marlin, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: Uzziel Delamide as Imang, Uwian

 

Panalong Pangalawang Aktor

Full-Length: Jeffrey Jiruma as Pol, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: Sol Eugenio as Tekbong, Champ Green

 

Panalong Ensemble

Full-Length: Tigkiliwi (Tara Illenberger)

Student Shorts: Sine-Sine (Roniño Dolim)

 

Panalong Kwento

Full-Length: Tara Illenberger, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: Clyde Cuizon Gamale, Champ Green

 

Panalo sa Cinematography

Full-Length: 

Dominic Lat, Journeyman

Kara Moreno, Olsen’s Day

Student Shorts: Lance Lascano, Dan, En Pointe

 

Panalo sa Production Design

Full-Length: Kyle Fermindoza, Salum

Student Shorts: Andrea Jayne Perang, Uwian

 

Panalo sa Musical Scoring

Full-Length: Armor Rapista, Salum

Student Shorts: Len Calvo, Uwian

 

Panalo sa Editing

Full-Length: Vanessa Ubas de Leon, Co-Love

Student Shorts: Jose Andy Sales, G!

 

Panalo sa Sound Design

Full-Length: Fatima Nerikka Salim and Immanuel Verona, Salum

Student Shorts: Elian Idioma, Dela Cruz, Juan P.

 

Panalong Awitin

Full-Length: “DI KO PINILI” by Kiko Salazar, performed by KD Estrada, Co-Love

Student Shorts: “Suga, Camera, Saad” by Jonathan Rey Sartorio and Lloyd Martin Villacortes Arce, performed by Jonathan Rey “ROTT” Sartorio, Sine-Sine

 

Panalo sa Brand Intrusion

Full-Length: Journeyman (555 Sardines and Lucky Me!)

Student Shorts: Champ Green (Bear Brand), G! (Chuckie)

 

Panalo sa Film Poster

Full-Length: Journeyman by Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat

Student Shorts: Checkmate by Alexie Nicole Pardo

 

Pinakapanalong Promosyon ng Pelikula

Student Shorts:

Checkmate by Alexie Nicole Pardo

Taympers by Naiah Nicole Mendoza

 

Responsableng Paglikha

Full-Length: Journeyman by Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat

Student Shorts:

1. Dan, En Pointe by Adelbert Abrigonda
2. Sine-Sine by Roniño Dolim
3. 1… 2… Strike!!! by Kenneth Flores

 

Mowelfund Special Citation

Full-Length: Olsen’s Day

Student Shorts: Champ Green

 

Panalo sa International Jury

Journeyman by Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat

Puregold CinePanalo 2025: Bigger Dreams, Bolder Visions

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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.

The directors, stars, and crew behind the seven full-length films on the line up for the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo came out in force at the festival’s recent press conference.

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 twenty-four student filmmakers who received P150,000 each.

With Puregold CinePanalo once again raring to provide millions in production grants to select participants, aspiring new filmmakers were spurred to craft more uplifting stories with the theme, “Mga Kwentong Panalo ng Buhay”.

Festival director Christopher Cahilig (extreme left) and Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad (extreme right) together with representatives from Gateway Cineplex 18, the venue for the upcoming Puregold CinePanalo.

At the press conference, Puregold CinePanalo proudly presented these worthy participants to attendees that comprised festival organizers as well as representatives from the festival’s various partners such as the MTRCB, Gateway Cineplex 18, Mowelfund, Terminal Six, CMB Films, and MFP Rentals.

Representatives from the Mowelfund Film Institute came out to show their support for this year’s line up of filmmakers.

Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad

Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, senior marketing manager for Puregold, spoke enthusiastically about working with a fresh batch of filmmakers. “After an intensely competitive application period, these directors came out on top of the heap,” she said. “We know they will produce excellent, gripping work and we can’t wait to share these with the viewing public at the upcoming festival.”

The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival will forthwith showcase directors and stars of varying experience and acclaim within the industry, with the star-studded 2025 edition highlighting the filmmaking domain’s rich reserves of talent.

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 child actor Xander Nuda. Tara Illenberger helms the film 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 up. Another historic first sees noted producer Catsi Catalan making her directorial debut with the film Fleeting, starring Janella Salvador and RK Bagatsing.

Also in attendance at the press event were twenty-four student filmmakers from universities across the country:

• 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”

• Producer Ivan Gentolizo representing 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”

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

With such a diverse lineup of filmmakers, the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo is primed to be another can’t-miss event for Philippine cinema. The completed films will be screened at Gateway Cineplex 18 from March 14 to 25, 2025.

Puregold CinePanalo student filmmakers get extra boost with P100K grant from MFP Rentals

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The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival just announced another groundbreaking partnership set to support its student filmmakers participating in the Festival’s Student Shorts category.

MFP Rentals, an upstart local audiovisual equipment rental services company, has generously thrown its support behind the CinePanalo Film Festival, pledging to sponsor equipment rental services worth a total minimum value of PhP 100,000 free to use for all 25 student short film entries.

Puregold CinePanalo teams up with MFP Rentals to grant student filmmakers PhP 100,000 worth of free audiovisual equipment rentals. (L-R Puregold CinePanalo Festival Director Chris Cahilig, Puregold Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan Piedad, MFP Rentals Tech Director Tristan Cua, MFP Rentals Co-Producer Zsara Laxamana)

The partnership is a first for the CinePanalo Film Festival, as the inaugural event did not feature any equipment subsidy for the participants in the student shorts category. Now, through the partnership between Puregold and MFP Rentals, the 25 student filmmakers no longer need to shell out a part of their P150,000 grant on equipment, and can, instead allocate their funding towards perfecting their cinematic vision.

On this collaboration, Puregold Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad shared the company's gratitude for allowing student filmmakers to give their all without worrying about equipment funding.

“The student shorts category of the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival was designed to give an opportunity to passionate young directors itching for a chance to show the world their panalo stories. Thanks to MFP Rentals, our student filmmakers now have significantly more resources to make that happen,” she said.

Meanwhile, for MFP Rentals owner Mark Tristan Cua, the lease of the audiovisual equipment was a no-brainer given the advocacy of the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival in supporting the dreams of student filmmakers.

“After seeing the success of last year’s Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, we knew that MFP Rentals needed to be a part of the next one, and we believed that supporting the entrants of the students’ shorts category was the best way we could lend a hand,” said Cua.

MFP Rentals' partnership enables CinePanalo student directors to focus their P150,000 grant on perfecting their cinematic vision.

The CinePanalo Film Festival empowers 25 student filmmakers from universities nationwide with equipment and production support, with the help of MFP Rentals.

For Cua, the opportunity to help aspiring filmmakers has always been his personal goal. Outside of MFP Rentals, Cua is the proud founder of the Mobile Filmmaking Philippines online community, where filmmakers can learn from each othe, allowing young and aspiring filmmakers to find affordable equipment services.

“It’s difficult to be a student filmmaker in the Philippines, and having more space in one’s budget can go a long way” added Cua. “We hope that through MFP Rentals’ assistance, these talented young artists can focus their budget on making the film of their dreams, instead of spending a lot of money just on equipment.”

In addition to the equipment rentals, MFP Rentals will also engage in a technical discussion with the Director of Photography of each student short film prior to the submission of any technical equipment requests. This serves the purpose of allowing MFP Rentals to tailor its assistance to the unique creative vision of each student short film project.

Puregold recently announced the list of 25 student filmmakers who will be receiving the P150,000 production grant, as well as the assistance by MFP Rentals and all of Puregold’s other official production partners for the CinePanalo Film Festival. The upcoming film festival will feature student filmmakers from universities across the country including the University of the Philippines, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, University of Caloocan City, and even universities from outside Metro Manila like Central Philippine University, Dalubhasaan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo, the University of San Carlos, and Faith Colleges, and National University Laguna.

The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival is set to begin in March of 2025, with the Awards Night set for March 19, 2025. Each of the student short filmmakers will have a chance to compete for the festival’s top awards including the awards for best film and best director.

Puregold CinePanalo best picture “Under A Piaya Moon” comes home to Bacolod

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Negrense director Kurt Soberano’s debut masterpiece Under A Piaya Moon, which bagged eight major awards at the 2024 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival including Best Picture, will have a commercial screening run in the province that inspired it.

The award-winning film, starring Jeff Moses, Pau Dimaranan, Chart Motus, and veteran actor Joel Torre will open in Ayala Malls Capitol Central and SM City Bacolod on May 29.

In its premiere at the recently concluded Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, Under A Piaya Moon captivated audiences and critics alike. It nabbed eight awards and numerous nominations including Pinakapanalong Mahabang Pelikula (Best Full-Length Film), Panalong Aktor for Jeff Moses (Best Actor), Panalong Pangalawang Aktor for Joel Torre (Best Supporting Actor), a Mowelfund Special Citation, MTRCB Responsableng Paglikha, Panalo sa Cinematography, Panalo sa Editing, and Panalo sa Production Design.

Many critics praised the performance of veteran actor Joel Torre, who won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 2024 Puregold CinePanalo

Many critics praised the film, with Marco Sumayao of Adobo Magazine calling it “meant for the global stage,” which “couldn’t have been told by other voices or in other settings.” Respected film critic Philbert Dy further opined on his personal Letterboxd, praising Joel Torre’s acting as ”such a fine performance that it practically makes the film worth recommending on its own.”

Under A Piaya Moon is Soberano’s beautifully crafted homage to his province Negros. Unlike many award-winning films dominated by Manileño culture, Piaya Moon is a defiant film, with its dialogue being spoken entirely in the local Negros language of Hiligaynon. Upon its release, it was adored by audiences and critics alike for its sincere display of Negrense culture, particularly its rich culinary tradition.

The award-winning film was also the very first feature directed by Kurt Soberano, a native of Negros Occidental

According to director Kurt Soberano, the choice to put Negros Occidental was a labor of love, as a Bacoleño himself. For him, few provinces have changed and grown the way Negros Occidental has throughout the years, which makes it a perfect backdrop for a story like Under the Piaya Moon, which is all about growth, exploration, and perseverance.

“It’s in the sweetness of piaya and the depth of muscovado sugar that this movie seeks to reflect the collective identity of Negrenses, and our indomitable, enduring spirit,” says Soberano. “I made this movie in part to celebrate Negros, both to celebrate how it’s progressed, and preserve the culture we can’t afford to lose.”

For his performance in the film, leading man Jeff Moses won the 2024 Puregold CinePanalo Best Actor Award.

Negros audiences are certain to fall in love with Under A Piaya Moon, which will run in Ayala Malls Capitol Central and SM City Bacolod beginning May 29

Outside of being a landmark film when it comes to Negrense culture, Under A Piaya Moon is also notable for being a heartwarming film about the delicate balance of professional success and personal growth, and how the breaking of bread can bind families. The film tells the story of Stephen, who arrives in town as the heir to his grandparents’ local panaderia, but finds himself caught between his professional aspirations, his family’s troubled past, and the irresistible pull of Negrosanon culture.

“We are proud to have premiered Under A Piaya Moon at the 2024 Puregold CinePanalo and are eager to see it run in the province that inspired it,” said Puregold President Vincent Co. “This film marks a significant milestone in representing the cherished province of Negros in cinema, and we are confident our audiences will appreciate and enjoy it.”.

Ms. Ivy Piedad, Puregold Senior Marketing Manager, concurs with this sentiment. “It’s very rare that Negros culture is celebrated in this way, with this much care and artistry put into it,” said Piedad. “We’re more than proud to be part of something as personal to the province.”

Under A Piaya Moon is a love letter to all aspects of Negrense culture - especially its cuisine!

Under A Piaya Moon tells a heartwarming story about the heir to a local Bacolod bakery, and the decisions he has to deal with when it comes to work, family, and preserving Negros culture

Starring alongside Jeff Moses and Joel Torre are Pau Dimaranan and Chart Motus, who both delivered stellar performances of their own

Under A Piaya Moon will be screening in Negros beginning May 29 at Ayala Malls Capitol Central and SM City Bacolod. All interested watchers are invited to partake in the cinematic event and buy their tickets before the screening run ends.

First time filmmakers talk about their Puregold CinePanalo experience

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There is little denying just how groundbreaking the recently concluded Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival was. The festival, held last March 15-19 at Gateway Cineplex 18, is a celebration of firsts. Not only does it mark the supermarket chain’s first foray into bringing original films to the silver screen, but it marks the debut pieces of six first-time filmmakers from all across the country.

During the Puregold CinePanalo Awards Night, the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund) generously awarded a number of deserving filmmakers scholarships to continue pursuing their artistic goals.

The six debuting filmmakers–Rafaela Abucejo of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Dizelle C. Masilungan of the University of Sto. Tomas, Joshua Andrey A. Doce of Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology, Joanah Pearl Demonteverde of the University of the Philippines Visayas, Daniel Gil of Ateneo de Davao, and Jenievive Adame–bravely answered the call to let Puregold help bring their stories to life, and competed against each other as well as 19 other selections in the student short film category. Yet, for these new directors, the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to release their stories into the world is a win in itself.

In addition to being debut films, the films were remarkable for bagging a number of prizes at the CinePanalo Film Festival. Rafaela Abucejo's film entitled "Saan Ako Pinaglihi?" won the Panalo sa mga Manonood Award (Audience Choice); Dizelle Masilungan, one of the recipients of the Mowelfund production scholarship, won Panalong Direktor, Panalo sa Cinematography, 3rd place for MTRCB's Responsableng Paglikha Award, and also saw one of his actors winning the Panalong Pangalawang Aktor Award. Likewise, Joshua Doce and Daniel Gil both received production scholarships from Mowelfund; while Jenievive Adame, who was also a recipient of the Mowelfund production scholarship, bagged a number of awards, including Panalong Ensemble, Panalo sa Musical Scoring, Always Panalo Film (brand choice), and 1st place for MTRCB's Responsableng Paglikha Award.

 Rafaela Abucejo shows off their Panalo sa mga Manonood Award. Abucejo directed “Saan Ako Pinaglihi?”, a coming-of-age story about the child of two lesbian parents.

Jenievive Adame’s story “Smokey Journey” bagged plenty of trophies, including the Always Panalo Film Award.

For two of the directors from the province–Joshua Doce from Bicol (“I am Mutya and I Thank You!”) and Joanah Demonteverde from Iloilo (“Kang Pagpuli Ko”)--getting to represent their province on a big stage was a massive motivating factor in completing their films. Doce, who speaks Bikolano, and Demonteverde, who speaks Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a, both believe in the power of their movies to represent the languages and cultures they love, especially amid the swath of mostly Tagalog and English-centric entries.

“As a kid who grew up in a town whose language is a hybrid of Kinaray-a and Hiligaynon, language has been a great element to me in representing my province through filmmaking, especially in Puregold’s CinePanalo Film Festival,” says Demonteverde, who also warns viewers for the possible waterworks that may ensue from her film.

“In our country, Filipino/Tagalog ang most dominant medium na ginagamit sa films and malimit tayong makakita o makarinig ng regional dialects/language sa mga pelikula,” says Doce, “I am so proud of our language and as a filmmaker, through our dialect that I used in my films, you get to see how ‘oragon’ (great) the Bicolanos are.”

Dizelle Masilungan was one of the ceremony’s breakout stars, winning Best Director for his very first film production, “Kung Nag-aatubili.”

Meanwhile, two of the six new filmmakers–Dizelle Masilungan (“Kung Nag-aatubili”) and Rafaela Abucejo (“Saan Ako Pinaglihi?”)--released LGBT-themed short films, drawing from their personal experiences with the daily struggle that queer Filipinos face, and the joy that comes from queer love.

For Masilungan, it was crucial for him to use his very first filmmaking experience to create the BL piece of his dreams, exclaiming that he has wanted to create a BL piece since “time immemorial,” as it was queer films and literature that gave him the inspiration to carry on.

Meanwhile for Abucejo, it was important to display the flipside of the queer experience, by also displaying the real pain that queer people go through, and the strength that can come out of those experiences.

“They were not good experiences-–they were a struggle,” said Abucejo. “But at least I was able to share my narrative through the film and hopefully inspire those who are currently going through the same things.”

In their speech, Abucejo stated that they hope their win in the Audience Choice Award shows filmmakers and film producers everywhere that audiences do choose queer stories, saying, “Yung kwento po ng ‘Saan ako Pinaglihi?’ is proof na meron pong clamor for queer stories, queer narratives at masasabi ko pong galing po talaga siya sa puso namin. Patuloy nating suportahan ang kwento ng mga bakla, tomboy, and everyone in between the spectrum.”

Abucejo and Masilungan both won big for their queer films, with Masilungan bagging Best Director. On his win, the filmmaker said, “Masaya, na di ko akalain, na wala po akong masabi. Sabi ko nga yung mapalabas lang pelikula namin sa Gateway Cineplex 18 sobrang saya na ako, na makita yung mga taong pumupunta sa sinehan para panoorin yung kwentong gusto namin ikwento at pinaghirapan namin. Pero yung makatanggap ng award bilang Best Director, para sakin isang malaking karangalan, really humbled and honored. Pero I really share this award with all the cast and crew ng Familea Films, kay Sir Nico at Lucca Creatives, and January Skies.”

Finally, the last two new directors–Daniel Gil (“Distansya”) and Jenievive Adame (“Smokey Journey”)--sought to use the platform to create more family-oriented and wholesome films that everyone can come to enjoy and reflect on the love that only family can offer.

In the words of Adame, viewers can expect her film to wrap the seemingly simple theme of family with layers of both hidden meaning and earnest sincerity.

“Since the festival itself is only for family-oriented, inspiring, and wholesome film concepts,” says Adame, “what you can expect from my film is the deep bond, love, and unity within a typical Filipino family na hindi namin pinakita literal pero mararamdaman mo.”

As for Gil, whose story was inspired by his father teaching him how to drive, he wanted to use his film as a vehicle for recognizing all the solo parent fathers who show up to raise their kids right, even when said fathers aren’t always understood from the start.

“I hope people will find this film nostalgic,” said Gil. “Especially to the kids who grew up with parents who had a hard time searching for their parenting skills and finding it as they get to know their children more as their family grows older.”

Ronjay-C Mendiola and his team won big at the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, racking up awards including Pinakapanalong Maikling Pelikula, for his film “Last Shift,” about two queer lovers forced to choose between their relationship and their diverging paths in life.

In addition to the debut filmmakers, the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival’s short film category also saw two big winners in neophyte directors Ronjay-C Mendiola and Kent Michael Cadungog. Mendiola nabbed the Pinakapanalong Maikling Pelikula Award (Best Short Film) for his film “Last Shift,” a story about two working-class queer lovers at a crossroads in their relationship, as one seeks to find better pastures. Cadungog, on the other hand, won the Special Jury Prize Award for “Text Find DAD and Send to 2366,” a tale about an uncharismatic teenage girl who must convince a voice to cast her in a reality TV show, in order to find her father.

On his historic win, Mendiola says the feeling still hasn’t sunk in.

“Sabi nga namin sa prod, pumasok kami ng awards night nang walang expectations pero sobra-sobra pa ang ibinigay sa amin,” said Mendiola. “Ang pinaka importante talaga sa amin nung mag-umpisa ang film festival ay hindi yung awards kundi ang mabitbit namin ang panawagan ng mga workers at maexpose ang kanilang kalagayan."

 Kent Cadungog won the Special Jury Prize for “Text Find Dad and Send to 2366,” a story about a teenager using reality TV to find her lost father.

Meanwhile, Cadungog is grateful to Puregold for allowing him to fully express his art which, according to him, has often been misunderstood.

"I got called “baliw” so many times for creating the kind of cinema I make, so I’m very grateful to Puregold for giving this niche comedy film a platform. Maraming salamat din sa jury sa pagkilala,” said Cadungog, who also takes pride in being one of the short films set in the province, using a regional language. “Yung pagrecognize sa isang munting Bisaya film galing sa Negros Oriental ay isa ring malaking panalo, in and of itself — true to the festival’s vision."

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“Under a Piaya Moon” and “Last Shift” Win Big at Inaugural Puregold CinePanalo Awards Night

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“Under a Piaya Moon” and “Last Shift” bagged the coveted Pinakapanalong Pelikula awards in the full-length and short film categories respectively at the inaugural Puregold CinePanalo Awards Night. Held on March 16 at the Gateway Cineplex 18, it was an emotional night as both established names as well as young up-and-comers received recognition for their exceptional efforts.

In the full-length category, Kurt Soberano’s debut feature “Under a Piaya Moon” left the biggest impact as it bagged six awards including the coveted Panalong Aktor and Panalong Pangalawang Aktor. Close behind was Sigrid Andrea Bernardo’s “Pushcart Tales” which left with four awards including Panalong Direktor and Panalong Karangalan Mula sa Mga Hurado.

Meanwhile among the student shorts, Ronjay-C Mendiola’s “Last Shift” achieved the most accolades, winning five awards through the night including Panalong Aktor and Panalong Pangalawang Aktor. Diezelle C. Masilungan’s “Kung Nag-aatubili” also impressed with a total of four awards including Panalong Direktor and a tie for Panalong Pangalawang Aktor.

Award winners were selected by an esteemed jury of judges. Victor Villanueva, Emmanuel dela Cruz, Lito Zulueta, served as the jury for the short film category while Jeffery Jeturian, Mae Cruz-Alviar, and June Kim served for the full-length category. Festival directors Ivy Hayagan-Piedad and Chris Cahilig alongside Republic Creative’s Lyle Gonzales served on both juries.

Representatives from festival partners MTRCB and Mowelfund were also in attendance to award special prizes to exceptional film entries.

“Smokey Journey,” “Tiil ni Lola,” and “Kung Nag-aatubili” received first, second, and third prize respectively in the MTRCB Responsableng Paglikha short-film category, while “Under a Piaya Moon” took home the award in the full-length category.

Mowelfund also gave out special citations for “Ka Benjie” in the short film category and “Under a Piaya Moon” in the full-length category. They also gave away scholarships to ten of the most promising student filmmakers to participate in the festival.

Screenings of the festival films will also have an extended run at Gateway 2 Cinemas starting on March 20, Wednesday.

The full list of award winners is as follows:

PINAKAPANALONG PELIKULA

Full-length: “Under a Piaya Moon”

Short Film: “Last Shift”

ALWAYS PANALO FILM

Full-length: “A Lab Story”

Short Film: “Smokey Journey”

PANALONG DIREKTOR

Full-length: Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, “Pushcart Tales”

Short Film: Dizelle C. Masilungan, “Kung Nag-aatubili”

PANALONG AKTRES

Full-length: Shamaine Buencamino, “Pushcart Tales”

Short Film: Jade Mary Cornelia, “Text FIND DAD and Send to 2366”

PANALONG AKTOR

Full-length: Carlos Siguion-Reyna, “Pushcart Tales,” and Jeff Moses, “Under a Piaya Moon”

Short Film: Jules Azaula, “Last Shift,” and Cristmer Valencia, “May Kulay Rosas Ba sa Bahaghari?”

PANALONG KARANGALAN MULA SA MGA HURADO

Full-length: “Pushcart Tales”

Short Film: “Text FIND DAD and Send to 2366”

PANALO SA MGA MANONOOD

Full-length: “A Lab Story”

Short Film: “Saan Ako Pinaglihi?”

PANALONG PANGALAWANG AKTRES

Full-length: Nicole Omillo, “Boys at the Back”

Short Film: Maila Rediang, “Repeater si Peter”

PANALONG PANGALAWANG AKTOR

Full-length: Joel Torre, “Under a Piaya Moon”

Short Film: Vince Macapobre, “Last Shift,” and Aiskhylos Akiyama, “Kung Nag-aatubili”

PANALONG KWENTO

Full-length: Raynier F. Brizuela, “Boys at the Back”

Short Film: Ronjay-C Mendiola, “Last Shift”

MOWELFUND SPECIAL CITATION

Full-length: “Under a Piaya Moon”

Short Film: “Ka Benjie”

MOWELFUND SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

Kent Michael Cadungog, “Text FIND DAD and Send to 2366”

Jenievive B. Adame, “Smokey Journey”

Daniel Gil, “Distansya”

John Llever Sucaldito, “Tambal nga Sabaw”

Reutsche Colle Rigurosa Lima, “Till ni Lola”

Alexa Moneii Agaloos, “Ka Benjie”

John Pistol L. Carmen, “Repeater si Peter”)

Dizelle C. Masilungan, “Kung Nag-aatubill”)

Joshua Andrey A. Doce, “I Am Mutya and I Thank You!”

Marian Jayce R. Tiongzon, “May Kulay Rosas Ba Sa Bahaghari?”

MTRCB RESPONSABLENG PAGLIKHA

Full-length: “Under a Piaya Moon”

Short Film

1st Place: “Smokey Journey”

2nd Place: “Tiil ni Lola”

3rd Place: "Kung Nag-aatubili”

PANALO SA CINEMATOGRAPHY

Full-length: Nathan Bringuer, “Under a Piaya Moon”

Short Film: Anton Acosta, “Kung Nag-aatubili”

PANALO SA PRODUCTION DESIGN

Full-Length: Kurt Soberano and Jed Sicangco, “Under a Piaya Moon”

Short Film: Mikaela Ganaden, “Remedy Soup”

PANALONG AWITIN

Full-length: “Mahal Kita” by VJ Mendoza, “Road to Happy”

Short Film: “Balik” by Dixzie Dione Cruel, “Tiil ni Lola”

PANALONG ENSEMBLE

Full-length: “Pushcart Tales”

Short Film: “Smokey Journey”

PANALO SA MUSICAL SCORING

Full-length: Owa Marquez, “Boys at the Back”

Short Film: Bernie del Carmen, “Smokey Journey”

PANALO SA EDITING

Full-length: Kurt Soberano and Rodney Jarder Jr., “Under a Piaya Moon”

Short Film: Reutsche Colle Lima, Nyle Justin Bacolod, and Elj Seth Tababa, “Tiil ni Lola”

PANALO SA SOUND DESIGN

Full-length: Nioki Aquino, “Pushcart Tales”

Short Film: Kzee Flores, “May Kulay Rosas Ba sa Bahaghari?”

PANALO SA FILM POSTER

Full-length: “Boys at the Back”

Short Film: “Last Shift”