The Puregold CinePanalo film festival is fast turning out to be among hotly anticipated events with more and more established faces joining the annual affair.
Seen at the recent launch were popular young stars KD Estrada, Alexa Ilacad, Jameson Blake, Kira Balinger.

There were also a number of screen veterans including multi-awarded actor Allen Dizon, Ruby Ruiz, and Romnick Sarmenta.
Said Allen, “It’s a huge honor to take part in this festival. It’s always nice to lend support to events and organizations that help enliven the local film industry.”

“Ang maganda dito, it allows us to hobnob with young blood,” added Romnick. “Mga bagong filmmakers who are hungry to express themselves through their art.”
Millions of pesos in production grants are a great part of the draw.
This year, eight winning filmmakers received 3,000,000 pesos each to complete their masterpieces.

The official roster:
- “Sepak Takraw,” directed by Mes de Guzman, starting Enzo Osorio, Nicollo Castillo, Ruby Ruiz, and Acey Aguilar
- “Olsen’s Day,” directed by JP Habac, starring Khalil Ramos, Romnick Sarmenta, and Xander Nuda
- “Tigkiliwi,” directed by Tara Illenberger, stareing Ruby Ruiz, Gabby Padilla, and Julian Paul Larroder
- “Journeyman,” directed by Christian Paolo Lat & Dominic Lat, starring JC Santos and Jasmine Curtis-Smith
- “Salum,” directed by TM Malones, starring Allen Dizon and Christine Mary Dimaisip
- “Co-Love,” directed by Jill Singson Urdaneta, starring KD Estrada, Alexa Ilacad, Kira Balinger, and Jameson Blake
- “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea,” (documentary), directed by Baby Ruth Villarama
- “Fleeting,” directed by Catsi Catalan, starring RK Bagatsing and Janella Salvador
Note that this year, Puregold CinePanalo also awarded 150,000 pesos each to 24 student filmmakers spurred to craft uplifting stories with the theme, “Mga Kwentong Panalo ng Buhay.”

These are:
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.”

Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, senior marketing manager for Puregold, spoke enthusiastically about working with a fresh batch of filmmakers.
“After an intensely competitive application period, these directors came out on top of the heap,” she said. “We know they will produce excellent, gripping work and we can’t wait to share these with the viewing public.”
Festival director Chris Cahilig is quite proud with what the festival has become.
“It has levelled up,” he said. “I can’t imagine coming from last year na parang we were experimenting lang and now ito na. We didn’t know na it will be this successful this fast.”
The completed films will be screened at Gateway Cineplex 18 from March 14 to 25.