Puregold has unveiled the 25 student finalists for the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo short film competition, with each filmmaker receiving a P150,000 production grant.
Selected from hundreds of submissions, the finalists hail from various schools across the country. The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) leads with six finalists, followed closely by the University of the Philippines Diliman with five, and two from UP Visayas.
The list of student finalists includes Adelbert Abrigonda, Allan M. Balance Jr., Naiah Nicole Mendoza, and Alexie Nicole Pardo from PUP, Angel Allizon Cruz from the University of Santo Tomas, Carlos Dala, Clyde Cuizon Gamale, Mae Malaya, Jadrien Morales, and John Lester Rimorin from UP Diliman, and Maria Eleanor P. Javier and Kieth Earl B. Rebaño from UP Visayas.
Other finalists include Roniño Dolim from the University of Eastern Philippines, Kenneth Flores from Far Eastern University, Austine Rae R. Fresnido from FAITH Colleges, Bjorn M. Herrera from Central Philippine University, Ira Corinne Esquerra Malit from the University of Caloocan City, Vhan Marco B. Molacruz from Colegio de San Juan Letran, Regene Narciso from Dalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo, and Jose Andy Sales and Johannes Tejero from the University of San Carlos.
Completing the lineup are Aubrey Soriano from PUP, Jasper Tan from Far Eastern University, and Sean Rafael A. Verdejo from National University Laguna.
Puregold President Vincent Co emphasized the festival’s mission to nurture young talent in Philippine cinema, saying, “Puregold CinePanalo aims to champion the future visionaries of Philippine cinema. We are here to provide a platform and support for these talented young artists, and we look forward to sharing their panalo stories with the public.”
In addition to the 25 finalists, Puregold announced five honorable mentions who may step in if any selected filmmakers are unable to continue in the competition. These honorable mentions include Victoriano L. Arroyo from UP Visayas, Jamal M. Baulo from Mindanao State University, Donnie C. Delos Reyes from UP Visayas, Vannece Llera from PUP, and Abdul Hakhem R. Serad from Mindanao State University.
Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, Puregold Senior Marketing Manager and one of the festival directors highlighted the high caliber of this year’s entries, stating, “We’re proud to highlight our honorable mentions. We’re confident these student filmmakers will be ready to step up and shine at the festival should the opportunity arise.”
The selection committee for this year’s lineup included Hayagan-Piedad, director Chris Cahilig, award-winning filmmaker Kurt Soberano, screenwriter Jinkee Laurel, and representatives from Republic Creative Creations, Inc., Sonny Bautista, and Lyle Gonzales. The 25 student short films will be screened alongside eight feature films at the festival, which will take place from March 14 to 25, 2025, at Gateway Cinemas in Quezon City.
