The CinePanalo Film Festival 2025 officially launched on January 24 at Artson Events Place in Quezon City, featuring a star-studded lineup of Filipino talent and an exciting roster of films set to showcase the best of Philippine cinema.
Organized by Puregold, the festival aims to celebrate Filipino storytelling and promote emerging and established filmmakers.
The grand launch was attended by renowned actors and filmmakers, including JC Santos, KD Estrada, Alexa Ilacad, Jameson Blake, Allen Dizon, Enzo Osorio, Ruby Ruiz, Romnick Sarmenta, Therese Malvar, and Xander Nuda. Their presence highlighted the growing prestige of CinePanalo, now in its second year.
The much-anticipated festival will run from March 14 to March 25 at Gateway Cineplex 18 in Quezon City, showcasing a mix of full-length features and student short films.
CinePanalo has quickly gained traction in the local film scene, with this year’s submissions nearly doubling those of its inaugural edition in 2024. Festival Director Chris Cahilig expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support, saying, “The CinePanalo Film Festival continues to level up. We’re grateful for the filmmakers, our partners, and the community who believe in this project.”
Last year’s entries earned accolades not only locally but also on the international stage. Films like ‘Under a Piaya Moon’ and ‘Pushcart Tales’ received invitations to prestigious film festivals in Morocco and Portugal, respectively, cementing CinePanalo’s reputation as a platform for globally competitive Filipino cinema.
This year’s CinePanalo features an exciting lineup of full-length films, each receiving a PHP 3 million grant. The entries include:
- ‘Sepak Takraw’ by Mes de Guzman, starring Enzo Osorio and Ruby Ruiz.
- ‘Olsen’s Day’ by JP Habac, featuring Khalil Ramos and Romnick Sarmenta.
- ‘Tigkiliwi’ by Tara Illenberger, with Ruby Ruiz and Gabby Padilla.
- ‘Journeyman’ by Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat, starring JC Santos and Jasmine Curtis-Smith.
- ‘Salum’ by TM Malones, featuring Allen Dizon.
- ‘Co-Love’ by Jill Singson Urdaneta, starring KD Estrada, Alexa Ilacad, and Jameson Blake.
- ‘Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea’ (Documentary) by Baby Ruth Villarama.
- ‘Fleeting’ by Catsi Catalan, starring RK Bagatsing and Janella Salvador.
CinePanalo also supports student filmmakers, providing PHP 150,000 in funding for each selected short film. The student short film lineup includes:
- ‘Dan, En Pointe,’ directed by Adelbert Abrigonda of Polytechnic University of the Philippines
- ‘Cancer Din Ang Zodiac Sign Mo?,’ directed by Allan Balance Jr. of Polytechnic University of the Philippines
- ‘Dito, Dati,’ directed by Angel Allizon Cruz of University of Santo Tomas
- ‘Sine-Sine,’ directed by Roniño Dolim of University of Eastern Philippines
- ‘1, 2, Strike!!!,’ directed by Kenneth Flores of Far Eastern University
- ‘Sa Susunod Sisikat si Susan,’ directed by Austine Fresnido of FAITH Colleges
- ‘Champ Green,’ directed by Clyde Cuizon Gamale of University of the Philippines
- ‘Nanay’s Frankenstein,’ directed by Bjorn M. Herrera of Central Philippine University
- ‘Mother at Sixty,’ directed by Maria Eleanor Javier of University of the Philippines Visayas
- ‘Sisenta!,’ directed by Mae Malaya and produced by Ivan Gentolizo of University of the Philippines
- ‘SamPie,’ directed by Ira Corinne Esquerra Malit of University of Caloocan City
- ‘Taympers,’ directed by Naiah Nicole Mendoza of Polytechnic University of the Philippines
- ‘Uwian,’ directed by Vhan Marco Molacruz of Colegio de San Juan de Letran
- ‘Let’s Go Somewhere Else,’ directed by Jadrien Morales of University of the Philippines
- ‘Papunta Ka Pa Lang,’ Naka-Bounce Na Ako, directed by Regene Narciso of Dalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo
- ‘Checkmate,’ directed by Alexie Nicole Pardo of Polytechnic University of the Philippines
- ‘Daeaura,’ directed by Kieth Earl B. Rebaño of University of the Philippines Visayas
- ‘Japan Surplus,’ directed by John Lester Rimorin of University of the Philippines
- ‘G!,’ directed by Jose Andy Sales of University of San Carlos
- ‘Our One and Only Bab(o)y,’ directed by Mark Joseph Sanchez of Polytechnic University of the Philippines
- ‘Si Nadia at ang Kanyang mga Kuro-Kuro,’ directed by Aubrey Soriano of Polytechnic University of the Philippines
- ‘Sa Pagbunga,’ directed by Jasper Tan of Far Eastern University
- ‘Daog, Pildi,’ directed by Johannes Tejero of University of San Carlos
- ‘Dela Cruz, Juan P,’ directed by Sean Rafael Verdejo of National University Laguna
Puregold’s Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad expressed optimism about the festival’s impact, stating, “These filmmakers have shown exceptional creativity and dedication. We can’t wait to share their work with the public.”
Mark your calendars for March 14–25 and witness the brilliance of Filipino cinema at the CinePanalo Film Festival 2025 at Gateway Cineplex 18.
