Hiligaynon films dominate CinePanalo

MANILA, Philippines — “Salum,” a Hiligaynon full-length film by TM Malones, bagged the Best Picture award at the just concluded Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2025 Awards Night held at The Elements, Eton Centris in Quezon City. The movie also took home the Best Production Design, Best Sound Design and Best Musical Score trophies.

The movie tells the heart-wrenching story of a father, a scallop diver (Allen Dizon) who is in search of treasures in the sea to provide for his family.

Malones expressed his gratitude to the festival team, sponsors and Ilonggos for making the film possible and for the recognition.

Best Director, JP Habac, for his flick “Olsen’s Day,” delivered an emotional speech while accepting the award.

JP Habac is named Best Director for his work on ‘Olsen’s Day.’

“Para sa isang tao na hindi madalas manalo sa buhay, this is something big for me,” he remarked and thanked the film festival, his staff, crew, actors, production team, friends and family.

He furthered that he wrote the film 13 years ago when his dad passed away. “I never thought and expected that I would be able to do this. This is for all the young filmmakers who lost confidence in their stories. The right time will come na magagawa niyo yung mga kwento na gusto niyong maging pelikula so tiwala lang.”

“Olsen’s Day” was also presented with the Best Cinematography award for Kara Moreno, a tie with Dominic Lat’s “Journeyman,” and a Mowelfund special citation.

Ruby Ruiz is hailed as Best Actress for her performance in ‘Tigkiliwi.’ Ruby’s son, Luis, accepts the award on her behalf.

“Olsen’s Day” lead star Khalil Ramos shared the Best Actor award with JP Larroder as Tata in “Tigkiliwi.”

Khalil showed his appreciation to CinePanalo, Habac, the crew and his co-actors.

‘Olsen’s Day’ lead actor Khalil Ramos (leftmost) shares the Best Actor award with child actor JP Larroder of ‘Tigkiliwi.’

“This film reminded me na lahat tayo may binibitbit. All of us sometimes get lost but no matter how far or tough ang mag-byahe, tandaan lang natin na tayo pa rin ang nasa likod ng manibela. Sometimes, all we have to do is take a break, lingunin ang ating mga mahal sa buhay at ipaalala sa kanila na hindi pa rin natin sila nakakalimutan,” said Khalil.

Child actor JP also thanked the film festival, production staff, and the film director. “I am so happy to be here (and to win) Best Actor,” he shared.

Another Hiligaynon film, “Tigkiliwi,” earned a Best Actress award for Ruby Ruiz, Best Jury Award and Best Story for writer-director Tara Illenberger, Best Supporting Actor for Jeffrey Jiruma, Best Supporting Actress for Gabby Padilla and Best Ensemble.

Ruiz’s son, Luis, received the trophy on behalf of his mother. “Her flight was delayed, so unfortunately, she won’t be able to come,” he explained. “It’s a group effort for her to learn Hiligaynon. So thank you to the ‘Tigkiliwi’ team, Chris Cahilig and the entire team of CinePanalo.”

“Journeyman” by the sibling-tandem of Christian Paolo and Dominic Lat was cited for Panalo Sa International Jury, Best Cinematography (tie with “Olsen’s Day”), Best Film Poster, MTRCB Special Award for Responsableng Paglikha, Panalo sa Brand Intrusion, and the Puregold Always Panalo Film (tie with Catsi Catalan’s “Fleeting.”)

Moreover, Jill Singson Urdaneta’s “Co-Love” was awarded Audience Award, Best Editing and Panalong Awitin for Di Ko Pinili by Kiko Salazar, which was performed by KD Estrada.

“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,” stated 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.”

Meanwhile, Cahilig said that they are eyeing to have Baby Ruth Villarama’s “Food Delivery, Fresh from the West Philippine Sea” take on an international route after it was pulled out from the film festival due to “external factors.”

+The docu-film tells the efforts of the Filipino fishermen, Coast Guard and Navy in delivering food to the community and at the same time, defending their livelihoods and national sovereignty in the contested waters of the West Philippine Sea.

Cahilig told The STAR that it was a “mutual” decision to withdraw the film. “As much as possible, sinama talaga namin sila. We informed her (direk Baby Ruth) and we constantly talked to her kung paano. More than anything, we’re looking for and will create opportunities for the film, moving forward.”

“Remember in international film festivals, ang nagiging problem lagi ‘pag lumabas sa local, wala kang world premiere. So gusto kasi ng mga malalaking international film festival abroad mag-world premiere,” he said. “So that gives them an opportunity to get accepted in the best platform from the world premiere.”

The Directors’ Guild of the Philippines (DGPI), on the other hand, expressed “deep concern and disappointment” over the decision of the film festival to drop the film “two days before its scheduled premiere.”

“This decision signals a troubling trend in the suppression of artistic expression and the silencing of truth in the country,” DGPI said in a statement, which was posted on its Facebook page.

“’Food Delivery’ sheds light on the harassment faced by Filipino fishermen at the hands of the Chinese Coast Guard within our own Exclusive Economic Zone, as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Rather than celebrating the courage of our filmmakers in exposing these critical realities, the festival has instead chosen to suppress the truth-seemingly to avoid disfavor from powerful foreign interests. This is not just an attack on one film but an alarming indication of how freedom of expression is being eroded in our society,” DGPI added.

The organization also mentioned other docu films “Alipato at Muog” and “Lost Sabungeros,” which earlier canceled their screenings in different film festivals.

“These actions reveal a growing pattern of intimidation that seeks to prevent Filipinos from engaging with narratives that expose injustice and challenge prevailing power structures,” DGPI pointed out.

It called on “the entire artistic and storytelling community to remain vigilant” and urged “film institutions, festivals and the greater public to protect our democratic rights and uphold the principles of free expression.”

The participating films at the CinePanalo Film Festival 2025 will continue to screen exclusively at the Gateway Cineplex 18, Cubao, Quezon City until the closing of the festival tomorrow, March 25.