Adelbert Abrigonda of PUP, Regene Narcisco of Dalubhasaan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo, Naiah Nicole Mendoza of PUP, and Allan Balance of PUP 

MANILA -- The whole roster for the forthcoming 2025 Puregold CinePanalo has been confirmed, with the announcement of the 25 student films that will be presented at the festival in the short film category. 

The promising young filmmakers will each be awarded a P150,000 production grant.

Finalists were chosen from among the contest's hundreds of initial applicants. While the finalists represent a variety of colleges across the country, two stand out in the current roster. Polytechnic University of the Philippines maintains the record, with six students chosen for the festival. The University of the Philippines Diliman was close behind, with five representatives picked for the festival, and two more from UP Visayas.

“Puregold CinePanalo aims to champion the future visionaries of Philippine cinema,” Puregold president Vincent Co said. “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.”

Here’s the complete list of selected student finalists:

1. Abrigonda, Adelbert – Polytechnic University of the Philippines

2. Balance Jr., Allan M. – Polytechnic University of the Philippines

3. Cruz, Angel Allizon – University of Santo Tomas

4. Dala, Carlos – University of the Philippines Diliman

5. Dolim, Roniño – University of Eastern Philippines

6. Flores, Kenneth – Far Eastern University

7. Fresnido, Austine Rae R. – FAITH Colleges

8. Gamale, Clyde Cuizon – University of the Philippines Diliman

9. Herrera, Bjorn M. – Central Philippine University

10. Javier, Maria Eleanor P. – University of the Philippines Visayas

11. Malaya, Mae – University of the Philippines Diliman

12. Malit, Ira Corinne Esquerra – University of Caloocan City

13. Mendoza, Naiah Nicole – Polytechnic University of the Philippines

14. Molacruz, Vhan Marco B. – Colegio de San Juan Letran

15. Morales, Jadrien – University of the Philippines Diliman

16. Narciso, Regene – Dalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo

17. Pardo, Alexie Nicole – Polytechnic University of the Philippines

18. Rebaño, Kieth Earl B. – University of the Philippines Visayas

19. Rimorin, John Lester – University of the Philippines Diliman

20. Sales, Jose Andy – University of San Carlos

21. Sanchez, Mark Joseph – Polytechnic University of the Philippines

22. Soriano, Aubrey – Polytechnic University of the Philippines

23. Tan, Jasper – Far Eastern University

24. Tejero, Johannes – University of San Carlos

25. Verdejo, Sean Rafael A. – National University Laguna

In addition to the 25 finalists, Puregold announced five honorable mentions. If any of the selected finalists are unable to compete, one of the honorable mentions will take their place in the festival.

The five honorable mentions are: Arroyo, Victoriano of University of the Philippines Visayas; Baulo, Jamal of Mindanao State University; Delos Reyes, Donnie of University of the Philippines Visayas; Llera, Vannece of Polytechnic University of the Philippines; and Serad, Abdul Hakhem of Mindanao State University. 

“The student short film category was highly competitive this year,” said Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad.

“With so many exceptional entries from across the country, 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,” she added. 

Hayagan-Piedad also serves as one of the festival directors for Puregold CinePanalo. She was also a member of the Selection Committee, which put up the festival lineup. She was joined on the Selection Committee by fellow festival director Chris Cahilig, award-winning director Kurt Soberano, screenwriter Jinkee Laurel, and Republic Creative Creations, Inc. executives Sonny Bautista and Lyle Gonzalez.

The 25 student shorts will be screened with eight feature films at the festival, which runs from March 14 to 25, 2025, at Gateway Cinemas.