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Charmie Joy Pagulong - The Philippine Star
February 14, 2025 | 12:00am
This year’s Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival will feature a star-studded cast to appear in the seven competing film entries, which will be screened at the Gateway Cineplex 18 from March 14 to 25.
Mes de Guzman’s “Sepak Takraw” stars Enzo Osorio, Nicollo Castillo, Ruby Ruiz and Acey Aguilar, while JP Habac’s “Olsen’s Day” will have Khalil Ramos, Romnick Sarmenta, and child actor Xander Nuda.
Tara Illenberger directs the film “Tigkiliwi,” starring Ruby Ruiz, Gabby Padilla and Julian Paul Larroder, while Christian Paolo Lat and Dominic Lat’s “Journeyman” will feature JC Santos and Jasmine Curtis-Smith.
Allen Dizon and Christine Mary Dimaisip will appear in TM Malones’ “Salum,” while KD Estrada, Alexa Ilacad, Jameson Blake, and Kira Balinger will be part of Jill Singson Urdaneta’s “Co-Love.”
On the other hand, Baby Ruth Villarama’s “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea” will mark the first-ever documentary to join the film festival’s lineup, while producer Catsi Catalan will make her directorial debut with the film “Fleeting,” starring Janella Salvador and RK Bagatsing.
Festival director Christopher Cahilig (leftmost) and Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad (right- most) together with representatives from CMB Film Services.
With the theme, “Mga Kwentong Panalo ng Buhay,” the participating films were introduced at a press conference attended by festival director Christopher Cahilig, senior marketing manager of Puregold Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, National Artist Ricky Lee, festival organizers and festival’s various partners such as the MTRCB, Gateway Cineplex 18, Mowelfund, Terminal Six, CMB Films, and MFP Rentals.
“After an intensely competitive application period, these directors came out on top of the heap. We know they will produce excellent, gripping work and we can’t wait to share these with the viewing public at the upcoming festival,” remarked Hayagan-Piedad.
The actors of “Co-Love” expressed excitement to be taking part in this edition of the film event. According to direk Jill, “Co-Love” tells the story of two popular content creators, who face conflicts in their respective romantic relationships, and they decide to form an unlikely collaboration.
“I’m just happy to be here alongside many amazing directors and student directors as well,” said Kira at the presscon. “It’s so nice to see how inspired everyone is and I’m sure everybody works so hard to make these films come to life.”
“I play Melody, maarte po siya like me. Our film is very relatable. It revolves around us, vloggers and influencers. I think that’s what a lot of people are trying to be nowadays, so I think they would really enjoy our movie,” added she.
“It’s very refreshing to do this kind of project and it’s my first time working with direk, working with this production,” shared Jameson.
“Co-Love” will be the first movie appearance of KD and Alexa. The former noted that his onscreen chemistry with Alexa has become stronger while filming the flick.
Asked about the status of their relationship, KD and Alexa said, “What you see is what you get.”
“To be completely honest, I don’t think announcing labels is so important. There’s some things we would like to keep to ourselves because what others won’t know won’t hurt us. But we show our true selves naman but we don’t think we have to announce (the label),” added Alexa.
Moreover, the student filmmakers who will partake at the 2025 CinePanalo film festival’s shorts film category include Adelbert Abrigonda’s “Dan, En Pointe;” Allan M. Balance Jr.’s “Cancer Din Ang Zodiac Sign Mo?;”Angel Allizon Cruz’s “Dito, Dati;” Roniño Dolim’s “Sine-Sine;” Kenneth Flores’s “1... 2... Strike!!!;”Austine Rae Fresnido’s “Sa Susunod Sisikat si Susan;” Clyde Cuizon Gamale’s “Champ Green;” Bjorn Herrera’s “Nanay’s Frankenstein.”
Joining them are Maria Eleanor Javier’s “Mother at Sixty;” Mae Malaya’s “Sisenta!;” Ira Corinne Esquerra Malit’s “SamPie;” Naiah Nicole Mendoza’s “Taympers;” Vhan Marco Molacruz’s “Uwian;” Jadrien Morales’ “Let’s Go Somewhere Else;” Regene Narciso’s “Papunta Ka Pa Lang, Naka-Bounce Na Ako;”Alexie Nicole Pardo’s “Checkmate;” Kieth Earl Rebaño’s “Daeaura.”
Rounding up the list are John Lester Rimorin’s “Japan Surplus;” Jose Andy Sales’ “G!;” Mark Joseph Sanchez’s “Our One and Only Bab(o)y;” Aubrey Soriano’s “Si Nadia at ang Kanyang mga Kuro-Kuro;” Jasper Tan’s “Sa Pagbunga;” Johannes Tejero’s “Daog, Pildi;” and Sean Rafael Verdejo’s “Dela Cruz, Juan P.”
