Eight acclaimed filmmakers have been selected for the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, including Mes De Guzman (“Sepak Takraw”), JP Habac (“Olsen’s Day”), Christian Paolo and Dominic Lat (“Journeyman”), TM Malones (“Salum”), Tara Illenberger (“Tigkiliwi”), Jill Singson Urdaneta (“Co-Love”), Baby Ruth Villarama (“Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea”), and Catsi Catalan, who makes her directorial debut with “Fleeting.”
These seasoned directors will be joined by twenty-four emerging student filmmakers. The student entries, from universities across the Philippines, include “Dan, En Pointe” by Adelbert Abrigonda (Polytechnic University of the Philippines), “Cancer Din ang Zodiac Sign Mo?” by Allan M. Balance Jr. (Polytechnic University of the Philippines), “Dito, Dati” by Angel Allizon Cruz (University of Santo Tomas), “Sine-Sine” by Roniño Dolim (University of Eastern Philippines), “1… 2… Strike!!!” by Kenneth Flores (Far Eastern University), “Sa Susunod Sisikat si Susan” by Austine Rae R. Fresnido (FAITH Colleges), “Champ Green” by Clyde Cuizon Gamale (University of the Philippines), “Nanay’s Frankenstein” by Bjorn M. Herrera (Central Philippine University), “Mother at Sixty” by Maria Eleanor P. Javier (University of the Philippines Visayas), “Sisenta!” by Ivan Gentolizo, representing Mae Malaya (University of the Philippines),



“SamPie” by Ira Corinne Esquerra Malit (University of Caloocan City), “Taympers” by Naiah Nicole Mendoza (Polytechnic University of the Philippines), “Uwian” by Vhan Marco B. Molacruz (Colegio de San Juan de Letran), “Let’s Go Somewhere Else” by Jadrien Morales (University of the Philippines), “Papunta Ka Pa Lang, Naka-Bounce Na Ako” by Regene Narciso (Dalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo), “Checkmate” by Alexie Nicole Pardo (Polytechnic University of the Philippines), “Daeaura” by Kieth Earl B. Rebaño (University of the Philippines Visayas),
“Japan Surplus” by John Lester Rimorin (University of the Philippines), “G!” by Jose Andy Sales (University of San Carlos), “Our One and Only Bab(o)y” by Mark Joseph Sanchez (Polytechnic University of the Philippines), “Si Nadia at ang Kanyang mga Kuro-Kuro” by Aubrey Soriano (Polytechnic University of the Philippines), “Sa Pagbunga” by Jasper Tan (Far Eastern University), “Daog, Pildi” by Johannes Tejero (University of San Carlos), and “Dela Cruz, Juan P.” by Sean Rafael A. Verdejo (National University Laguna).
The festival, which carries the theme “Mga Kwentong Panalo ng Buhay,” will provide the eight main directors with P3 million each, while the student filmmakers will receive P150,000 each.
At the press conference, Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, senior marketing manager for Puregold, expressed her excitement for the new batch of filmmakers. “After an intensely competitive application period, these directors came out on top. We know they will produce excellent, engaging work, and we can’t wait to share them with the public.”
The completed films will be showcased at Gateway Cineplex 18 from March 14 to 25, 2025.