The competition is fierce for the top acting awards in this year’s Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival. The festival’s awarding body just released the official list of nominees for the festival’s acting awards, highlighting the cream of the crop in an already stacked lineup of performances.
From longtime industry veterans to up-and-comers of all ages, the nominee list for this year’s festival demonstrates the immense talent working in Philippine cinema today. The nominee list for this year includes noted actors returning to CinePanalo, industry superstars, as well as young actors still looking to make their big break in movies.
The nominees include established figures returning to the festival, industry superstars, and young actors seeking their breakthrough. The nominees for full-length feature acting categories are Janella Salvador (Fleeting), Christine Mary Demaisip (Salum), and Ruby Ruiz (Tigkiliwi) for Best Actress. Competing for Best Actor are RK Bagatsing (Fleeting), Khalil Ramos (Olsen’s Day), JP Larroder (Tigkiliwi), JC Santos (Journeyman), KD Estrada (Co-Love), Jameson Blake (Co-Love), Enzo Osorio (Sepak Takraw), and Allen Dizon (Salum).
Best Supporting Actress nominees include Sherry Lara (Olsen’s Day), Che Ramos (Olsen’s Day), Gabby Padilla (Tigkiliwi), Jasmine Curtis-Smith (Journeyman), Alexa Ilacad (Co-Love), and Kira Balinger (Co-Love). The Best Supporting Actor category features Raffy Tejada (Journeyman), Romnick Sarmenta (Olsen’s Day), Bodjie Pascua (Olsen’s Day), Jeffrey Jiruma (Tigkiliwi), and Nathan Sotto (Tigkiliwi).
The nominees were selected from the festival’s seven feature films by a jury that includes directors Jeffrey Jeturian and Mae Cruz-Alviar, writer-producer Moira Lang, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival director Tiina Lokk, Republic Creative Creations Inc. representatives Sonny Bautista and Lyle Gonzales, festival director Christopher Cahilig, and festival chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad.
For student short films, Best Actress nominees include Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino (Sisenta!), Geraldine Villamil (Uwian), Atasha Eve Franco (Taympers), Sue Prado (Sa Susunod Sisikat si Susan), Yani Villarosa (Si Nadia at ang Kanyang mga Kuro-Kuro), Marian Namanama (Champ Green), and Angela Jane Delgado (Daeaura). Best Actor contenders are Lucas Martin (Sampie), Jasper John (Dela Cruz, Juan P.), Ronjaé Realubin (Dan, En Pointe), Ethan Lloyd Loyogoy (Sine-Sine), AJ Benoza (Checkmate), John Clark Tapales (G!), and Benjie Belena (Sa Pagbunga).
Best Supporting Actress nominees include Uzziel Delamide (Uwian), Miel Espinoza (Taympers), Zoey Lim (SamPie), Maria Miranda (Our One and Only Bab(o)y), Carla Zarcal (Sisenta!), Misha Fabian (Dela Cruz, Juan P.), and Dada Garcia (Dela Cruz, Juan P.). The Best Supporting Actor category features Ryan John Nazario (G!), Chino Alfonso (Dan, En Pointe), Sol Eugenio (Champ Green), Eddie Arca (Sine-Sine), Esteban Mara (Dela Cruz, Juan P.), and Timothy Morales (Let’s Go Somewhere Else).
The student shorts jury includes directors Victor Villanueva, Tony Reyes, and Emmanuel dela Cruz, film critic Lito Zulueta, actress Jan Marini, and Hayagan-Piedad, Cahilig, Bautista, and Gonzales. The winners will be announced at the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Awards Night on March 19 at The Elements at Centris. Cast and crew members from the nominated films are expected to attend.
All seven feature films and 24 student shorts will be screened exclusively at Gateway Cineplex 18 in Quezon City. The festival is held in partnership with Terminal Six, CMB Film Services Inc., Gateway Cineplex 18, MFP Rentals, the MTRCB, and the Mowelfund Film Institute. Tickets are priced at P250, with a discounted rate of P200 available for students, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and members of Tindahan ni Aling Puring and Perks Card holders.
For a complete festival experience, the Puregold CinePanalo Festival Pass offers access to all official movie entries for P2,000. Tickets can be booked in advance at www.gatewaycineplex18.com.
The full festival schedule can be seen at this link: bit.ly/2025PCPFFSCHEDULE.