The Artson Events Place in Quezon City recently played host to a gathering of filmmakers, organizers, and industry partners, all eager to usher in the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival. Following the heels of a successful previous year, anticipation is high for this cinematic showcase. Puregold CinePanalo is a launchpad for emerging and established storytellers, fueled by substantial production grants.

Eight full-length film projects were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants to take part in the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo.
This year, eight winning filmmakers each received P3,000,000, while twenty-four student filmmakers were awarded P150,000 each, all to bring their visions to life. The theme, “Mga Kwentong Panalo ng Buhay” (Winning Stories of Life), has inspired a new wave of narratives, and the festival is ready to share them with the world.

Representatives from the Puregold CinePanalo’s partners came out to show their support for this year’s line up of filmmakers.
Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, senior marketing manager for Puregold, expressed her excitement about the new cohort of filmmakers. “After an intensely competitive application period, these directors came out on top of the heap,” she stated. “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 festival’s 2025 edition spotlights a mix of established and up-and-coming talent, a true reflection of the Philippine film industry’s breadth and depth.

The 2025 Puregold CinePanalo will feature twenty-four student filmmakers from across the country who will produce short films for the festival.
The lineup is as diverse as it is promising. Mes de Guzman will direct “Sepak Takraw” starring Enzo Osorio, Nicollo Castillo, Ruby Ruiz, and Acey Aguilar. JP Habac’s “Olsen’s Day” features Khalil Ramos, Romnick Sarmenta, and young Xander Nuda. Ruby Ruiz returns to Puregold CinePanalo in Tara Illenberger’s “Tigkiliwi,” alongside Gabby Padilla and Julian Paul Larroder. The directing duo Christian Paolo Lat & Dominic Lat will present “Journeyman,” starring JC Santos and Jasmine Curtis-Smith.

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.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.
TM Malones is working on “Salum” with Allen Dizon and Christine Mary Dimaisip. “Co-Love,” directed by Jill Singson Urdaneta, stars KD Estrada, Alexa Ilacad, Jameson Blake, and Kira Balinger. A notable first for the festival is Baby Ruth Villarama’s documentary, “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea.” Adding another layer of excitement, esteemed producer Catsi Catalan steps into the director’s chair with “Fleeting,” starring Janella Salvador and RK Bagatsing.

The festival also shines a light on the next generation of filmmakers. Twenty-four students from universities across the Philippines were also present at the press conference, representing their schools and their projects:
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.”

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

Festival director Christopher Cahilig (extreme left) and Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad (extreme right) joined by representatives from the MTRCB.

Student filmmakers participating in this year’s Puregold CinePanalo received a production grant of P150,000 each to bring their short films to life.

Alexa Ilacad and KD Estrada, stars of Co-Love, were in attendance to show support for the upcoming full-length film.

Actor Jameson Blake answering questions about his upcoming film Co-Love.
Mark your calendars! The 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival will run from March 14 to 25, 2025, at Gateway Cineplex 18. It promises to be a celebration of Filipino storytelling at its finest.