The Puregold CinePanalo 2025 Film Festival celebrated Filipino talent with Salum and Champ Green taking home top awards. Here's a closer look at the event and the winning films.
The Puregold CinePanalo 2025 Film Festival wrapped up its second edition on a high note, celebrating the incredible talent of Filipino filmmakers. Held on March 19 at The Elements in Eton Centris, Quezon City, the event recognized a variety of films that showcased diverse storytelling and exceptional filmmaking skills. Among the big winners of the night were Salum, a full-length Hiligaynon film, and Champ Green, a Mindanaoan short film, both of which took home multiple awards and stole the spotlight.
Salum, directed by TM Malones, emerged as a major winner in the full-length category. The film received four Puregold CinePanalo trophies, including Panalong Pelikula (Best Film), Panalo sa Production Design (Best Production Design), Panalo sa Sound Design (Best Sound Design), and Panalo sa Musical Scoring (Best Musical Scoring). It was a well-deserved recognition for the film’s outstanding technical and creative achievements, which captivated audiences and judges alike. On top of these awards, Salum also earned a cash prize of PHP 250,000, a testament to its high impact in the competition.
Meanwhile, Champ Green, a short film directed by Clyde Cuizon Gamale, was the standout in the student shorts category. It took home five awards, including Panalong Maikling Pelikula (Best Short Film), Panalong Pangalawang Aktor (Best Supporting Actor) for Sol Eugenio, and Panalo sa Kwento (Best Story). The film’s creative narrative and strong performances set it apart from the competition, making it one of the most memorable entries of the festival. On top of the awards, Champ Green also received a cash prize of PHP 100,000 and invaluable film equipment, including a Nanlite FC 60B and a wireless microphone, which will help elevate future projects from the talented team behind the film.
One of the most exciting moments of the night came with the announcement of the Panalo sa Brand Intrusion (Best Brand Integration) award. Champ Green was one of the winners of this category, receiving an additional PHP 25,000 and special equipment from industry partners like MFP Rentals, Kase Philippines, and Sieztech Enterprize. This unique award recognizes the creative integration of brands within the film, highlighting the innovative approach of the filmmakers.
Other notable winners included Tigkiliwi, a Hiligaynon film directed by Tara Illenberger, which took home seven trophies, including Panalong Karangalan Mula sa Hurado (Best Jury Prize) and Panalo sa Kwento (Best Story). The acting performances in Tigkiliwi were also a highlight, with Ruby Ruiz winning Panalong Aktres (Best Actress) and Jeffrey Jiruma winning Panalong Pangalawang Aktor (Best Supporting Actor).
This year’s awards night also saw some exciting ties. The Panalong Aktor (Best Actor) trophy was shared between JP Larroder for his role in Tigkiliwi and Khalil Ramos for his portrayal of Olsen in Olsen’s Day. Additionally, Panalo sa Cinematography (Best Cinematography) was tied between Journeyman and Olsen’s Day. These ties demonstrated the high level of competition and the strong performances across all the entries.
Journeyman, directed by Christian Paolo and Dominic Lat, won six awards, including Panalo Sa International Jury (Best International Jury Award), Panalo sa Film Poster (Best Film Poster), and the MTRCB Special Award for Responsableng Paglikha (Best Responsible Filmmaking). The film’s success reflected its universal appeal and the thoughtful approach of its directors. Journeyman also shared the Puregold Always Panalo Film award with Fleeting, a romantic comedy by Catsi Catalan.
In the student shorts category, Uwian, directed by Vhan Marco Molacruz, was another standout winner. The film won five awards, including Panalong Direktor (Best Director) and Panalong Aktres (Best Actress) for Geraldine Villamil. This victory further emphasized the rising talent within the student filmmaking community.
The festival was judged by an esteemed panel of experts, including Festival Director Christopher Cahilig, Festival Chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, and filmmakers like Jeffrey Jeturian and Mae Cruz-Alviar. Their expertise helped ensure that the best films received the recognition they deserved, making the awards a true reflection of quality filmmaking in the Philippines.
This year’s Puregold CinePanalo also saw an increase in the grants for all entries, with full-length films receiving PHP 3,000,000 and student shorts getting PHP 150,000. These grants are a valuable resource for filmmakers, allowing them to continue creating and improving their craft. The festival’s strong partnerships with organizations like Terminal Six Post, Gateway Cineplex 18, and the Mowelfund Film Institute also contributed to the overall success of the event.
Looking ahead, the future of the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival is incredibly promising. As Festival Chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad put it, the festival is driven by a deep love for cinema and a desire to showcase the immense talent of Filipino filmmakers. With each edition, the possibilities continue to expand, and we can expect even more exciting films to be celebrated in the years to come.
For those who missed the event, the winning films will continue to be screened at Gateway Cineplex 18 in Cubao, Quezon City, until March 25, 2025. If you haven’t had the chance to experience these films yet, it’s definitely worth checking them out before the festival wraps up.
The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival remains a vital platform for Filipino filmmakers, providing them with the recognition and support they need to grow in their craft. It’s an event that truly celebrates the richness of Filipino cinema and the passion of the people behind it. If you’re a fan of local films, make sure to catch the screenings and support the next generation of filmmakers!
For the full list of winners, click here.
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