REEL WINS: Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival unveils directorial finalists

The eagerly anticipated Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, which aims to usher in a new era of remarkable Filipino cinema, officially unveiled the recipients of its highly sought-after film grants during a press conference held at the Artson Events Place in Quezon City.

Left to right: Chris Cahilig, festival director; Ivy-Hayagan Piedad, senior marketing manager for Puregold; Direk Emmanuel Dela Cruz, Sir Tito Valiente, and Direk Victor Villanueva of the Selection Committee; Bianca Francisco and Ruel Yap of Optima Digital; and Direk Ricky Orellana of Mowelfund at the presentation of Puregold CinePanalo filmmakers.

The event, graced by representatives from Puregold, film directors, their respective producers, and key members of their teams, spotlighted Puregold’s central goals: to serve as a platform for both established and emerging filmmakers and to present narratives collectively known as Kuwentong Panalo, stories that resonate with the heart and evoke the indomitable Filipino spirit.

Puregold CinePanalo’s student filmmakers along with Puregold senior marketing manager, Ivy Hayagan-Piedad; festival director Chris Cahilig; representatives from the festival’s partners Optima Digital and Mowelfund; and members of the festival’s Selection Committee.

From a pool of numerous CinePanalo applicants, only thirty-one of the most outstanding were chosen as finalists. These finalists were formally introduced during the event, marking the initiation of the final phase of the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival.

The full-length filmmakers standing alongside Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, festival director Chris Cahilig, representatives from festival partners Optima Digital and Mowelfund, and the Selection Committee.

Among the featured full-length film finalists announced at the press conference were Kurt Soberano, a fresh face with his entry, “Under the Piaya Moon,” and Eugene Torres with “One Day League: Dead Mother, Dead All.” Both earned the prestigious “Producer’s Choice” title, expanding the initial five grant slots to six.

25 student directors were selected from all over the Philippines to participate in the first-ever Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival.

Accompanying them were esteemed directors Sigrid Bernardo for “Pushcart Tales,” Raynier Brizuela for “Boys at the Back,” Joel Ferrer for “Road to Happy,” and Carlo Obispo for “A Lab Story.”

Additionally, the press conference introduced promising new student directors who are set to make their mark in the industry.

Jenievive B. Adame – “Smokey Journey” (STI College Cubao)
Ma. Rafaela Mae Abucejo – “Saan Ako Pinaglihi?” (Polytechnic University of the Philippines)
Alexa Moneii Agaloos – “Ka Benjie” (Polytechnic University of the Philippines)
Kent Michael Cadungog – “Text FIND DAD and Send to 2366” (University of the Philippines)
John Pistol L. Carmen – “Repeater si Peter” (Bicol University)
Chrisha Eseo Cataag – “Hallway Scholar” (Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo)
Patricia W. Dalluay – “Lola, Lola, Paano ba ‘Yan?” (Polytechnic University of the Philippines)
Joanah Pearl Demonteverde – “Kang Pagpuli Ko” (University of the Philippines – Visayas)
Joshua Andrey A. Doce – “I Am Mutya And I Thank You!” (Bicol State College of Applied Science and Technology)

Neil M. Espino – “Sa Hindi Paghahangad” (De La Salle Lipa)
Terrence Gale Fernandez – “Kaibigan ko si Batman” (Polytechnic University of the Philippines)
Daniel Gil – “Distansya” (Ateneo de Davao University)
Alexandra Lapid – “Queng Apag” (Mapúa University)
Reutsche Colle Rigurosa Lima – “Tiil ni Lola” (University of San Carlos)
Dizelle C. Masilungan – “Kung Nag-aatubili” (University of Santo Tomas)
Jose Mikyl Medina – “Lutong Bahay” (De La Salle University)
Ronjay-C Mendiola – “Last Shift” (Polytechnic University of the Philippines)
Mark Terence Molave – “Paano po gumawa ng collage college?” (Polytechnic University of the Philippines)
Jhunel Ruth A. Monterde – “Si Mary May Crush Kay Tess” (De La Salle College of Saint Benilde)
Doxford D. Perlas – “Naduea Eoman Si Brownie (Brownie’s Lost Again!)” (University of the Philippines – Visayas)
Andrea S. Ponce – “Layag sa Pangarap” (Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Mesa)
Edz Haniel Teñido Purificacion – “Dzai Dzai Dzai Delilah” (Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna)
John Wilbert Llever Sucaldito – “Tambal nga Sabaw” (Far Eastern University)
Tyrone Lean J. Taotao – “Abandoned Lullabies” (Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Mesa)
Marian Jayce R. Tiongzon – “May Kulay Rosas Ba Sa Bahaghari?” (University of the Philippines – Visayas)

The six full-length film directors received a substantial grant of Php 2,500,000 each, while 25 short film student directors were granted Php 100,000 each. On top of the film grants, all finalists also received complimentary color grading from Optima Digital for their respective films, as well as essential groceries from Puregold to further support them during the production phase.

The finished Puregold CinePanalo full-length and short films will be viewed at a premiere to be held at the Gateway Cinemas in Cubao from March 15 to 17, 2024, followed by potential regional screenings. Short films will also be available on Puregold’s official social media channels on YouTube and TikTok.

The distinguished selection committee, comprising veteran film and television director Jeffrey Jethurian; film critic Tito Valiente; award-winning filmmaker Victor Villanueva; Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad; Lyle Gonzales of Republic Creative; and Puregold CinePanalo festival director Chris Cahilig, played a crucial role in shaping the festival’s trajectory.

With the CinePanalo Film Festival, Puregold further strengthens its commitment to fostering local talent, bridging gaps, and bringing authentic Filipino stories to the forefront of the cinematic landscape. The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival promises to be a celebration of creativity, diversity, and the vibrant spirit of the Filipino people.