So why is PureGold, one of the leading retailers in the country, getting involved in a film festival?
That was the question on my mind when I first received an invite for the PureGold CinePanalo press conference.
While this isn’t the first time they dabbled in producing movies and series, pioneering the concept of retailtainment.
Hit online series such as “GV Boys” and “Ang Babae Sa Likod ng Face Mask” has helped push PureGold into the digital space, utilizing storytelling to boost brand recognition.
The festival aims to provide a platform for filmmakers to showcase narratives that capture the beauty of everyday wins in life. The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival promises to be a celebration of creativity, diversity, and the vibrant spirit of the Filipino people.
The recent press conference at Artson Events Place in Quezon City.
Celebrating the triumph and resilience of the Filipino spirit, PureGold announced 15 established and promising directors for the full-length category.
Additionally, 40 student filmmakers advanced to the first round of the short film category. The shortlisted entries will progress to the next competition stage, where Puregold will award a substantial grant of P2,500,000 to each of the five selected directors in the full-length category and 25 grants worth P100,000 each for promising amateur directors in the short film category.
“We want CinePanalo to uplift the spirits of young and gifted filmmakers who are just waiting for a break,” he said. “We hope that the financial grant and the sheer exposure they get will provide an important boost to their aspirations,” Vincent Co, President of Puregold Price Club Inc., said.
Co expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response to the festival’s call for submissions, with entries pouring in from all over the country, including Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Festival director Chris Cahilig stressed the significance of the festival’s theme. “CinePanalo aims to leave audiences with the warm and fuzzy feeling that truly great cinema can inspire,” Cahilig says. “On this note, we look forward to seeing the wonderful stories our local directors will earnestly share with the public.”
Attended by representatives from Puregold, the film directors, their respective producers, and other key members of their teams, the press conference highlighted Puregold’s primary objectives: to provide a platform for both well-known and emerging filmmakers, and to showcase narratives–collectively called Kuwentong Panalo-—-that can touch the heart and remind us of the indomitable Filipino spirit.
From rom hundreds of CinePanalo applicants, only thirty-one of the very best were selected as finalists. They were formally presented during the event, which also marked the beginning of the final stage of the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival.
Among the full-length film finalists named during the press conference were Kurt Soberano, a newcomer with his entry,”Under the Piaya Moon,” and Eugene Torres with “One Day League: Dead Mother, Dead All”.
These earned the “Producer’s Choice”title, expanding the initial five grant slots to six.Accompanying them were renowned directors Sigrid Bernardo for “Pushcart Tales,”Raynier Brizuela for “Boys at the Back,” Joel Ferrer for “Road to Happy,” and Carlo Obispo for “A Lab Story”.
Promising new student directors who were likewise introduced are as follows:
Jenievive B. Adame -“Smokey Journey” (STI College Cubao)
Ma. Rafaela Mae Abucejo – “Saan Ako Pinaglihi?” (Polytechnic University of thePhilippines)
Alexa Moneii Agaloos – “Ka Benjie” (Polytechnic University of the Philippines)
Kent Michael Cadungog – “Text FIND DAD and Send to 2366” (University of thePhilippines)
John Pistol L. Carmen – “Repeater si Peter” (Bicol University)
Chrisha Eseo Cataag – “Hallway Scholar” (Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng SanPablo)
Patricia W. Dalluay – “Lola, Lola, Paano ba Yan?” (Polytechnic University of thePhilippines)
Joanah Pearl Demonteverde – “Kang Pagpuli Ko”(University of the Philippines -Visayas)
Joshua Andrey A. Doce – “I Am Mutya And I Thank You!” (Bicol State College of Applied Science and Technology)
Neil M. Espino -“Sa Hindi Paghahangad”(De La Salle Lipa)
Terrence Gale Femandez – “Kaibigan ko si Batman” (Polytechnic University of
the Philippines)
Daniel Gil – “Distansya” (Ateneo de Davao University)
Alexandra Lapid -“Queng Apag”(Mapúa University
Reutsche Colle Rigurosa Lima – “Til ni Lola”(University of San Carlos)
Dizelle C. Masilungan – “Kung Nag-aatubili”(University of Santo Tomas)
Jose Mikyl Medina – “Lutong Bahay”(De La Salle University)
Ronjay-C Mendiola – “Last Shift” (Polytechnic University of the Philippines)
Mark Terence Molave – “Paano po gumawa ng collage college?” (Polytechnic University of the Philippines)
Jhunel Ruth A. Monterde – “Si Mary May Crush Kay Tess” (De La Salle College
of Saint Benilde)
Doxford D. Perlas – “Naduea Eoman Si Brownie (Brownie’s Lost Again!)”
(University of the Philippines – Visayas)
Andrea S. Ponce – “Layag sa Pangarap” (Polytechnic University of the
Philippines – Sta. Mesa)
Edz Haniel Teñido Purificacion – “Dzai Dzai Dzai Delilah” (Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna)
John Wilbert Llever Sucaldito – “Tambal nga Sabaw” (Far Eastern University)
Tyrone Lean J. Taotao -“Abandoned Lullabies” (Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Mesa)
Marian Jayce R. Tiongzon – “May Kulay Rosas Ba Sa Bahaghari?” (University of the Philippines – Visayas)
The six full-length film directors received a substantial grant of Php 2,500,000 each, while 25 short film student directors were granted Php 100,000 each.
On top of the film grants, all finalists also received complimentary color grading from Optima Digital for their respective films, as well as essential groceries from Puregold to further support them during the production phase.
The finished Puregold CinePanalo full-length and short films will be viewed at a premiere to be held at the Gateway Cinemas in Cubao from March 15 to 17, 2024,followed by potential regional screenings.
Short films will also be available on Puregold’s official social media channels on YouTube and TikTok.
The distinguished selection committee, comprising veteran film and television director Jeffrey Jethurian; award-winning filmmaker Victor Villanueva; Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad; Lyle Gonzales of Republic Creative; and Puregold CinePanalo festival director Chris Cahilig, played a crucial role in shaping the festival’s trajectory.
