cinepanalo 2025
Entertainment Lifestyle

Meet the Filmmakers of the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival

The 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival is set to be another landmark event for Philippine cinema, bringing fresh talent, compelling stories, and millions in production grants to the spotlight. In a recent press conference at Artson Events Place in Quezon City, this year’s roster of filmmakers was officially introduced, further fueling excitement for the festival.

Building on last year’s massive success, Puregold CinePanalo has become a must-watch event in the local film industry. One of the biggest draws? The generous production grants—with eight winning filmmakers receiving P3 million eachand twenty-four student filmmakers granted P150,000 each to bring their stories to life.

The festival champions uplifting narratives under the theme “Mga Kwentong Panalo ng Buhay”, inspiring both veteran and emerging filmmakers to craft stories that celebrate resilience and triumph.

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A Prestigious Gathering of Industry Leaders

The press conference welcomed festival organizers and representatives from key industry partners, including MTRCB, Gateway Cineplex 18, Mowelfund, Terminal Six, CMB Films, and MFP RentalsIvy Hayagan-Piedad, Senior Marketing Manager for Puregold, expressed her excitement about working with this year’s filmmakers.

jameson blake for cinepanalo

“After an intensely competitive application period, these directors came out on top. We know they will produce excellent, gripping work, and we can’t wait to share these with the viewing public at the upcoming festival.”

With a mix of seasoned directors, rising talents, and a star-studded lineup, the 2025 edition promises to showcase the depth and diversity of Filipino storytelling.


kd estrada and alexa ilacad kdlex

Feature Films & Directors

Here’s a sneak peek at the full-length films set to captivate audiences at the festival:

🎬 Mes de Guzman – Sepak Takraw
Starring: Enzo Osorio, Nicollo Castillo, Ruby Ruiz, Acey Aguilar

🎬 JP Habac – Olsen’s Day
Starring: Khalil Ramos, Romnick Sarmenta, Xander Nuda

🎬 Tara Illenberger – Tigkiliwi
Starring: Ruby Ruiz, Gabby Padilla, Julian Paul Larroder

🎬 Christian Paolo Lat & Dominic Lat – Journeyman
Starring: JC Santos, Jasmine Curtis-Smith

🎬 TM Malones – Salum
Starring: Allen Dizon, Christine Mary Dimaisip

🎬 Jill Singson Urdaneta – Co-Love
Starring: KD Estrada, Alexa Ilacad, Jameson Blake, Kira Balinger

🎬 Baby Ruth Villarama – Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea (First-ever documentary in CinePanalo history!)

🎬 Catsi Catalan – Fleeting (Directorial debut of noted producer Catsi Catalan)
Starring: Janella Salvador, RK Bagatsing


student film makers for cinepanalo

Spotlight on Student Filmmakers

In addition to these feature films, 24 student filmmakers from various universities across the country will showcase their short films:

🔹 Adelbert Abrigonda (PUP) – Dan, En Pointe
🔹 Allan M. Balance Jr. (PUP) – Cancer Din Ang Zodiac Sign Mo?
🔹 Angel Allizon Cruz (UST) – Dito, Dati
🔹 Roniño Dolim (UEP) – Sine-Sine
🔹 Kenneth Flores (FEU) – 1… 2… Strike!!!
🔹 Austine Rae R. Fresnido (FAITH Colleges) – Sa Susunod Sisikat si Susan
🔹 Clyde Cuizon Gamale (UP) – Champ Green
🔹 Bjorn M. Herrera (CPU) – Nanay’s Frankenstein
🔹 Maria Eleanor P. Javier (UP Visayas) – Mother at Sixty
🔹 Mae Malaya (Producer: Ivan Gentolizo) (UP) – Sisenta!
🔹 Ira Corinne Esquerra Malit (UCC) – SamPie
🔹 Naiah Nicole Mendoza (PUP) – Taympers
🔹 Vhan Marco B. Molacruz (Letran) – Uwian
🔹 Jadrien Morales (UP) – Let’s Go Somewhere Else
🔹 Regene Narciso (DLSU-SP) – Papunta Ka Pa Lang, Naka-Bounce Na Ako
🔹 Alexie Nicole Pardo (PUP) – Checkmate
🔹 Kieth Earl B. Rebaño (UP Visayas) – Daeaura
🔹 John Lester Rimorin (UP) – Japan Surplus
🔹 Jose Andy Sales (USC) – G!
🔹 Mark Joseph Sanchez (PUP) – Our One and Only Bab(o)y
🔹 Aubrey Soriano (PUP) – Si Nadia at ang Kanyang mga Kuro-Kuro
🔹 Jasper Tan (FEU) – Sa Pagbunga
🔹 Johannes Tejero (USC) – Daog, Pildi
🔹 Sean Rafael A. Verdejo (NU Laguna) – Dela Cruz, Juan P.


cinepanalo 2025

Festival Dates & Where to Watch

📅 Screening Dates: March 14-25, 2025
📍 Venue: Gateway Cineplex 18

With an impressive mix of new and seasoned talentsinspiring narratives, and historic firsts, the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival is shaping up to be one of the biggest events in Philippine cinema.

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