The Hiligaynon full-length film Salum, directed by TM Malones, and the Mindanaoan short film Champ Green emerged as the top winners in their respective categories at the second edition of the highly successful Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival.
At the awards ceremony on March 19 at The Elements, Eton Centris in Quezon City, Salum secured four Puregold CinePanalo trophies in the full-length category: Panalong Pelikula, Panalo sa Production Design, Panalo sa Sound Design, and Panalo sa Musical Scoring, along with a cash prize of ₱250,000. Meanwhile, Champ Green dominated the student shorts category, earning five trophies, including Panalong Maikling Pelikula, Panalong Pangalawang Aktor (Sol Eugenio), Panalo sa Kwento, Panalo sa Brand Intrusion, and a Mowelfund Special Citation, plus a ₱100,000 cash prize.
As the winning student short, Champ Green also received a variety of film equipment, including a Black Mist ⅛, Dream Filter, and Blue Lightstreak Filter from MFP Rentals and Kase Philippines, a Nanlite FC 60B with merch from MQ Group and Nanlite Philippines, and a Hollyland Lark C1 Wireless Microphone from Sieztech Enterprize and Hollyland Tech Philippines. Additionally, Champ Green earned an extra ₱25,000 for winning Panalo sa Brand Intrusion, a prize also awarded to fellow short film G! and full-length film Journeyman. Likewise, Checkmate and Taympers tied for Pinakapanalong Promosyon ng Pelikula. These sponsors proudly contributed to supporting young Filipino filmmakers, including Champ Green director Clyde Cuizon Gamale.
In the full-length category, another Hiligaynon film, Tigkiliwi, won seven trophies, including Panalong Karangalan Mula sa Hurado and Panalo sa Kwento for writer-director Tara Illenberger. The heartwarming film about a community of misfits swept the acting awards, with Panalong Aktres awarded to Ruby Ruiz and Panalong Pangalawang Aktor to Jeffrey Jiruma.
Notably, two ties were declared during the awards night. Panalong Aktor was shared between JP Larroder (Tigkiliwi) and Khalil Ramos (Olsen’s Day). Meanwhile, Journeyman and Olsen’s Day both won Panalo sa Cinematography, and JP Habac (Olsen’s Day) claimed Panalong Direktor.
Journeyman, directed by siblings Christian Paolo and Dominic Lat, took home six awards: Panalo sa International Jury, Panalo sa Cinematography (tie with Olsen’s Day), Panalo sa Film Poster, MTRCB Special Award for Responsableng Paglikha, Panalo sa Brand Intrusion, and Puregold Always Panalo Film, the last shared with the romantic-comedy Fleeting by Catsi Catalan.
In the student shorts category, Uwian, directed by Panalong Direktor winner Vhan Marco Molacruz of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, dominated with five awards: Panalong Direktor, Panalo sa Musical Scoring, Panalo sa Production Design, Panalong Aktres (Geraldine Villamil), and Panalong Pangalawang Aktres (Uzziel Delamide).
Other notable student shorts included Sean Rafael Verdejo’s absurdist dramedy Dela Cruz, Juan P., which received Panalong Karangalan Mula sa Hurado, and Ira Corinne Esguerra’s coming-of-age sibling story SamPie, which won the Puregold Always Panalo Film award.
The awards were decided by a distinguished jury panel. Festival Director Christopher Cahilig, Festival Chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, and Sonny Bautista of Republic Creative Creations, Inc. served on both the student shorts and full-length juries. Joining them for student shorts were directors Emmanuel Dela Cruz and Victor Villanueva, along with film critic Lito Zulueta. The full-length jury also included directors Jeffrey Jeturian and Mae Cruz-Alviar, writer-producer Moira Lang, and Estonian filmmaker Tiina Lokk, festival director of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
This year’s CinePanalo saw increased grants, with ₱3,000,000 for full-length films and ₱150,000 for student shorts. The festival was made possible through partnerships with Terminal Six Post, CMB Film Services Inc., Gateway Cineplex 18, MFP Rentals, the MTRCB, and the Mowelfund Film Institute.
“The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival is driven by a deep love for cinema and a strong ambition to showcase the incredible talent and passion of Filipino filmmakers,” said Festival Chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad. “With our successful second edition, the possibilities are limitless. We look forward to many more outstanding films gracing the Puregold CinePanalo in the years to come.”
All full-length and student short films from the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2025 will continue screening exclusively at Gateway Cineplex 18, Cubao, Quezon City, until March 25. Regular tickets are priced at ₱250, with discounts for students, PWDs, seniors, Tindahan ni Aling Puring members, and Perks Card holders at ₱200. Festival passes are also available for ₱2,000, granting access to all official movie entries.
