Salum and Champ Green shine bright at the Puregold CinePanalo 2025 awards night

Hiligaynon full-length film Salum directed by TM Malones and Mindanaoan short film Champ Green were honored the top prizes in their respective categories at the second edition of the wildly successful Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival.

At the awarding ceremony, held on March 19 at The Elements, Eton Centris in Quezon City, Salum took home four Puregold CinePanalo trophies in the full-length category namely: Panalong Pelikula, Panalo sa Production Design, Panalo sa Sound Design, and Panalo sa Musical Scoring as well as a cash prize of PhP 250,000. Meanwhile, Champ Green received a PhP 100,000 cash prize and five trophies in the student shorts category including Panalong Maikling Pelikula, Panalong Pangalawang Aktor for Sol Eugenio, Panalo sa Kwento, Panalo sa Brand Intrusion, and Mowelfund Special Citation. 

Filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals gather to mark the successful conclusion of the Puregold CinePanalo 2025.

Salum, directed by TM Malones, was awarded Pinakapanalong Pelikula (Best Film) in the full-length category at Puregold CinePanalo 2025.

Champ Green, directed by Clyde Cuizon Gamale, received the Pinakapanalong Pelikula award in the student shorts category at Puregold CinePanalo 2025

The films Journeyman, directed by Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat, and Fleeting, directed by Catsi Catalan, were recognized as Puregold Always Panalo Films in the full-length category.

In addition, Champ Green, being the students shorts winner, also won film equipment including a Black Mist ⅛, a Dream Filter, a 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. Champ Green also won an extra PHP25,000 for winning the Panalo sa Brand Intrusion, as did fellow short film G! and full-length film Journeyman who won the same award; as well as Checkmate and Taympers, who similarly tied for Pinakapanalong Promosyon ng Pelikula. Each of these sponsors gladly awarded Champ Green with the equipment in order to support the development of young Filipino filmmakers such as Champ Green director Clyde Cuizon Gamale.

In the full-length category, another Hiligaynon film Tigkiliwi nabbed seven trophies including Panalong Karangalan Mula sa Hurado and Panalo sa Kwento for its writer-director Tara Illenberger. The charming film about a community of misfits swept the acting awards categories including Panalong Aktres for Ruby Ruiz, and Panalong Pangalawang Aktor for Jeffrey Jiruma.  

Fleeting director Catsi Catalan delivers a speech after receiving the Puregold Always Panalo award in the full-length category.

Fleeting, directed by Catsi Catalan, wins Always Panalo award in Puregold CinePanalo 2025.

JP Habac was named Panalong Direktor (Best Director) for his work on Olsen’s Day at Puregold CinePanalo 2025.

In the student shorts category, Vhan Marco B. Molacruz received the Panalong Direktor award for Uwian

The Panalong Aktor (Best Actor) for the full-length category was awarded to Khalil Ramos (Olsen’s Day). He shares this award with JP Larroder (Tigkiliwi)

In an interesting turn of events, two ties were declared during the awards night. The Panalong Aktor trophy was shared between JP Larroder as Tigkiliwi’s Tata, and Khalil Ramos as the titular Olsen in Olsen’s Day while both Journeyman and Olsen’s Day were declared the winners of the Panalo sa Cinematography category. Meanwhile, JP Habac of Olsen’s Day bagged the Panalong Direktor award. 

Journeyman by the sibling-tandem of Christian Paolo and Dominic Lat took home a total of six trophies namely: Panalo Sa International Jury, Panalo sa Cinematography (tie with Olsen’s Day), Panalo sa Film Poster, the MTRCB Special Award for Responsableng Paglikha, Panalo sa Brand Intrusion, and the Puregold Always Panalo Film which it shared with the romantic-comedy film Fleeting by Catsi Catalan. 

For the student shorts, Uwian, directed by Panalong Direktor winner Vhan Marco Molacruz of Colegio de San Juan de Letran crushed the competition, winning five different awards including Panalong Direktor, Panalo sa Musical Scoring, Panalo sa Production Design, Panalong Aktres for Geraldine Villamil, and Panalong Pangalawang Aktres for Uzziel Delamide. 

The winners of special awards Panalo sa Film Poster, Panalo sa Brand Intrusyon, and Pinakapanalong Promosyon ng Pelikula share a picture with festival organizers.

The Panalo sa Cinematography (Best Cinematography) trophies in the full-length category were given to Dominic Lat (Journeyman) and director JP Habac accepting on behalf of Kara Moreno (Olsen’s Day)

Puregold Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad and Festival Director Chris Cahilig at the Awards Night.

Hosts Maoui David and Director Kurt Soberano open the much-awaited Awards Night of Puregold CinePanalo, celebrating beautifully-told stories of Filipinos.

Vanessa Ubas de Leon was honored with the Panalo sa Editing (Best Editing) award for Co-Love.

In the student shorts category, Jose Andy Sales received the Panalo sa Editing award for G!

In the student shorts category, Champ Green received the Mowelfund Special Citation.

Other notable entries to the student shorts category included Sean Rafael Verdejo’s absurdist dramedy Dela Cruz, Juan P., which took home Panalong Karangalan Mula sa Hurado; as well as Ira Corinne Esguerra’s coming-of-age sibling story SamPie, which took home the Puregold Always Panalo Film award.

Each award was deliberated upon by an impressive lineup of qualified judges, including Festival Director Christopher Cahilig, Festival Chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, and Republic Creative Creations, Inc. representative Sonny Bautista, each of whom sat on both the student shorts and full-length jury panels. Joining them on the students shorts panel were directors Emmanuel Dela Cruz and Victor Villanueva, as well as film critic Lito Zulueta. The full-length jury panel, on the other hand, consisted of Cahilig, Hayagan-Piedad, and Bautista, as well as directors Jeffrey Jeturian and Mae Cruz-Alviar, writer and producer Moira Lang, and Estonian filmmaker Tiina Lokk, the festival director of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.

This year’s CinePanalo saw increased grants for all entries, with PHP 3,000,000 grants for full-length entries, and P150,000 grants for student shorts. The festival was also supported in large part by its partner organizations ​​Terminal Six Post, CMB Film Services Inc., Gateway Cineplex 18, MFP Rentals, the MTRCB,  and the Mowelfund Film Institute.

The Mowelfund Special Citation was awarded to Olsen’s Day in the full-length category.

The Panalong Aktor (Best Actor) for the student shorts category was awarded to Jasper John (Dela Cruz, Juan P.). He shares this award with Lucas Martin (Sampie).

Talented actress Alexa Ilacad, who stars in Co-Love, at the Puregold CinePanalo 2025.

Tigkiliwi wins Panalong Karangalan mula sa Hurado (Jury Prize) for the full-length category.

Puregold Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad graces the stage at the Puregold CinePanalo 2025 Awards Night.

Puregold Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad begins the Awards Night with an empowering speech dedicated to the film industry.

Olsen’s Day stars Khalil Ramos and Xander Nuda at the Puregold CinePanalo 2025 Awards Night

In the student shorts category, Dan, En Pointe, Sine-Sine, and 1… 2… Strike!!! were recognized for Responsableng Paglikha.

Co-Love, directed by Jill Singson Urdaneta, wins Panalo sa Manonood (Audience Choice Award) at Puregold CinePanalo 2025.

“The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival will always be fueled by a deep love for the art of cinema, and an even deeper ambition to show what Philippine talent and passion has to offer,” said Festival Chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad. “With the CinePanalo having reached a successful second edition, the possibilities are now endless. We can’t wait for all the wonderful films yet to grace the Puregold CinePanalo in all the years to come.”

Salum, Champ Green, and all the other full-length and student short films of the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2025 will continue to screen exclusively at the Gateway Cineplex 18, Cubao, Quezon City until the closing of the festival on March 25. Regular tickets are P250, with discounts available for students, PWDs, seniors, Tindahan ni Aling Puring, and Perks Card members for P200. Meanwhile, festival passes for the entire experience cost P2,000, granting holders entrance to all official movie entries.

Jill Singson Urdaneta delivers speech after winning Panalo sa Manonood for Co-Love

Lucas Martin (SamPie) wins Panalong Aktor for the student shorts category

Panalong Aktor (Best Actor) is awarded to Khalil Ramos (Olsen’s Day) and JP Larroder (Tigkiliwi)

Panalong Aktres (Best Actress) is awarded to Ruby Ruiz (Tigkiliwi). The award was received by her son on her behalf

Tara Illenberger received the Panalong Kwento (Best Screenplay) award for Tigkiliwi

Gabby Padilla received the Panalong Pangalawang Aktres (Best Supporting Actress) award for her performance as Marlin in Tigkiliwi

The student shorts category saw Uzziel Delamide awarded Panalong Pangalawang Aktres for Uwian

Kyle Fermindoza won the Panalo sa Production Design (Best Production Design) award for Salum.

In the student shorts category, Lance Lascano received the Panalo sa Cinematography award for Dan, En Pointe

Jeffrey Jiruma won Panalong Pangalawang Aktor (Best Supporting Actor) for his role as Pol in Tigkiliwi

FULL LIST OF WINNERS:

Pinakapanalong Pelikula

Full-Length: Salum (TM Malones)

Student Shorts: Champ Green (Clyde Cuizon Gamale)

Puregold Always Panalo Film

Full-Length: Journeyman (Christian Paolo Lat & Dominic Lat), Fleeting (Catsi Catalan)

Student Shorts: Sampie, (Ira Corinne Esquerra Malit)

Panalong Direktor

Full-Length: JP Habac, Olsen’s Day

Student Shorts: Vhan Marco B. Molacruz, Uwian

Panalong Aktres

Full-Length: Ruby Ruiz as Nay Pansay, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: Geraldine Villamil as Remy, Uwian

Panalong Aktor

Full-Length:

Khalil Ramos as Olsen, Olsen’s Day

JP Larroder as Tata, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: 

Lucas Martin as Sam, SamPie

Jasper John as Juan Dela Cruz, Dela Cruz, Juan P.

Panalong Karangalan Mula sa Mga Hurado

Full-Length: Tigkiliwi (Tara Illenberger)

Student Shorts: Dela Cruz, Juan P. (Sean Rafael A. Verdejo)

Panalo Sa Mga Manonood

Full-Length: Co-Love (Jill Singson Urdaneta) 

Student Shorts: Sisenta! (Mae Malaya)

Panalong Pangalawang Aktres

Full-Length: Gabby Padilla as Marlin, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: Uzziel Delamide as Imang, Uwian

Panalong Pangalawang Aktor

Full-Length: Jeffrey Jiruma as Pol, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: Sol Eugenio as Tekbong, Champ Green

Panalong Ensemble

Full-Length: Tigkiliwi (Tara Illenberger)

Student Shorts: Sine-Sine (Roniño Dolim)

Panalong Kwento

Full-Length: Tara Illenberger, Tigkiliwi

Student Shorts: Clyde Cuizon Gamale, Champ Green

Panalo sa Cinematography

Full-Length: 

Dominic Lat, Journeyman

Kara Moreno, Olsen’s Day

Student Shorts: Lance Lascano, Dan, En Pointe

Panalo sa Production Design

Full-Length: Kyle Fermindoza, Salum

Student Shorts: Andrea Jayne Perang, Uwian

Panalo sa Musical Scoring

Full-Length: Armor Rapista, Salum

Student Shorts: Len Calvo, Uwian

Panalo sa Editing

Full-Length: Vanessa Ubas de Leon, Co-Love

Student Shorts: Jose Andy Sales, G!

Panalo sa Sound Design

Full-Length: Fatima Nerikka Salim and Immanuel Verona, Salum

Student Shorts: Elian Idioma, Dela Cruz, Juan P.

Panalong Awitin

Full-Length: “DI KO PINILI” by Kiko Salazar, performed by KD Estrada, Co-Love

Student Shorts: “Suga, Camera, Saad” by Jonathan Rey Sartorio and Lloyd Martin Villacortes Arce, performed by Jonathan Rey “ROTT” Sartorio, Sine-Sine

Panalo sa Brand Intrusion

Full-Length: Journeyman (555 Sardines and Lucky Me!)

Student Shorts: Champ Green (Bear Brand), G! (Chuckie)

Panalo sa Film Poster

Full-Length: Journeyman by Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat

Student Shorts: Checkmate by Alexie Nicole Pardo

Pinakapanalong Promosyon ng Pelikula

Student Shorts: 

Checkmate by Alexie Nicole Pardo

Taympers by Naiah Nicole Mendoza

Responsableng Paglikha

Full-Length: Journeyman by Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat

Student Shorts:

1. Dan, En Pointe by Adelbert Abrigonda
2. Sine-Sine by Roniño Dolim
3. 1… 2… Strike!!! by Kenneth Flores

Mowelfund Special Citation

Full-Length: Olsen’s Day

Student Shorts: Champ Green

Panalo sa International Jury

Journeyman by Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat

atima Nerikka Salim and Immanuel Verona receive the Panalo sa Sound Design award, for Salum.

In the student shorts category, Elian Idioma wins Panalo sa Sound Design for Dela Cruz, Juan P.

Tigkiliwi takes home the Panalong Karangalan mula sa Hurado for the full-length category.

Salum (TM Malones), wins Pinakapanalong Pelikula (Best Film) in the full-length category at Puregold CinePanalo 2025.

Winners, jury members, and organizers unite to celebrate another remarkable year of Puregold CinePanalo, a testament to the festival’s promise to support Filipino filmmakers.

Director Tara Illenberger proudly receives the Panalong Karangalan Mula sa Hurado (Jury Prize) for Tigkiliwi at Puregold CinePanalo 2025.

Young filmmakers pose with Festival Director and award-winning filmmaker, Chris Cahilig.