Actor Khalil Ramos won Panalong Aktor (Best Actor) for his performance as Olsen in the full-length film Olsen’s Day at the recently concluded Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2025 on Wednesday, March 19.

During his acceptance speech, Khalil expressed his gratitude to the festival and the team behind the film.

“Thank you, of course, to Puregold CinePanalo Festival, sa bumubuo ng jury at sa bumubuo ng buong festival,” he began.

Acknowledging the film’s director, JP Habac, for trusting him with the role, he went on, “Sa pamilya ng Olsen’s Day, Direk JP, salamat sa tiwala mo. Alam ko sobrang personal nitong pelikulang ito para sa’yo. At para pagkatiwalaan mo ako na maging bahagi ng kwentong ito, napakalaking bagay ‘nun para sa’kin. Thank you.”

He went on to thank the cast and crew, including seasoned actor Romnick Sarmenta and child actor Xander Nuda, saying, “Salamat sa inyo, salamat sa pagiging sobrang generous. Hindi ko kakayanin ito mag-isa.”

Reflecting on the film’s message, Khalil shared, “Pinaalala sa’kin ng pelikulang ito na lahat naman tayo may binibitbit. Lahat tayo ay minsan naliligaw. Pero gaano man kahaba o kahirap ang byahe, kailangan tandaan lang natin na tayo pa rin ang nasa likod ng manibela. Minsan, ang kailangan natin gawin ay huminto lang saglit, lingunin ang ating mga mahal sa buhay, at ipaalala sa kanila na hindi pa rin natin sila nakakalimutan.” 

READ: CinePanalo releases trailers for 2025 entries, ticket prices

In a post-awards interview with the media, Khalil described the experience as overwhelming. “Grabe, sobrang overwhelming. To be recognized like this… Talagang sobrang amazing ‘nung feeling. So overwhelmed. Siyempre laking pasasalamat ko sa lahat ng bumubuo ng Puregold CinePanalo. And syempre sa cast and crew ng Olsen’s Day, lalo kay Direk JP Habac sa tiwala na binigay niya sa’kin. Sobrang saya,” he reiterated. 

Khalil also shared how meaningful the project was, as he and Direk JP had already planned to work together even before the movie came about.

“Kami ni Direk JP, may dalawa na kaming project dati na naudlot so ang tagal ko nang gustong maging katrabaho si Direk JP. Noon pang pandemic pa lang. So sabi ko nga sa kanya, third time’s a charm. Itong pangatlong chance ay finally, nakapagtrabaho na kami together at nagbunga ‘yun ng best director for him t’saka best actor sa’kin so sobrang thankful ako sa universe na nangyari ito,” he said. 

Direk JP also bagged the Panalong Direktor (Best Director) award for Olsen’s Day. During his acceptance speech, he inspired fellow filmmakers to have faith and believe in having the right timing. 

“Itong project po na ‘to, 13 years ago ko siya nasulat, ‘nung namatay ‘yung tatay ko. Never kong naisip, never na kong nag-expect na magagawa siya. So para po ‘to sa lahat ng mga batang filmmakers na nawawalan ng confidence sa mga kwento nila kasi darating din ‘yung tamang panahon na magagawa niyo ‘yung mga kwentong gusto niyong maging pelikula. So tiwala lang.”

Aside from Khalil, child actor JP Larroder was also awarded Panalong Aktor for his role in Tigkiliwi.