Baby Ruth Villarama has entered the chat!

The award-winning filmmaker raised the bar for Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2025 with her entry "Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea," which has sparked an online buzz, with social media users predicting awards for the documentary.

According to Villarama, the film, which references the ongoing maritime tensions between the Philippines and China, is ultimately about empathy.

“We want the audience to understand that sovereignty is not just a political issue; it’s a deeply personal one for every Filipino,” Villarama pointed out.

“From the fishermen risking their lives to feed their families, to the Coast Guard and Navy personnel delivering food to the soldiers on remote outposts, ‘Food Delivery’ illustrates the shared sacrifice and the collective love we all have to protect our way of life.”

In discussing such a sensitive subject, Villarama defined “Food Delivery” as a film about unity, sacrifice, and the Filipino spirit, aiming to provide CinePanalo audiences with a sense of empathy and connection to the individuals who are sometimes overlooked in the fight for our food, and hence our sovereignty.

On Tuesday, the CinePanalo finalist released the official teaser for her entry, saying, “Atin ang West Philippine Sea. Pero marami pa rin sa kababayan natin ang naiipit sa kaguluhan dito. Marami rin ang gustong tumulong.”

The teaser begins with an image of a simple fishing boat swaying among the ocean waves. That is, until the camera dives into the water, displaying an overwhelming number of fish and signaling the enormous strain placed on the fishermen tasked with catching them. The teaser then transitions to a more menacing graphic -- two boats, a fishing boat and a coast guard ship, both bearing the Philippine flag -- before concluding with the title phrase: "fresh from the West Philippine Sea."

Villarama is most known for her documentary “Sunday Beauty Queen,” which was awarded best Picture at the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival. Aside from “Sunday Beauty Queen,” Villarama has over a decade of experience as a producer and documentary filmmaker for local and international news organizations. Many of Villarama's co-produced documentaries are socially conscious and have been shown at international festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, and Venice.

Filmmaker Babyruth Villarama. Photo: Handout

Aside from her filmmaking career, Villarama is an accomplished student, having received a master's degree in cinema marketing and distribution from Birmingham City University in the United Kingdom as part of the very competitive Chevening Scholarship program.

Because of her efforts, she received the 2018 UK Global Alumni Social Impact Award for her films that address the ideas of migration and modern slavery. 

In her spare time, Villarama serves on the board of the Director's Guild of the Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts' cinema committee, and the Voyage Studious and Film Producers Society, all of which aim to push Filipino directors to greater heights.

With a resume like hers, Villarama is clearly one of the favorites to win numerous honors at the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival. And with the release of the “Food Delivery” teaser, it's clear why.

Joining “Food Delivery” in the full-length category are JP Habac’s “Olsen’s Day,” Christian Paolo Lat’s “Journeyman,” Mes de Guzman’s “Sepak Takraw,” Jill Singson Urdaneta’s “Co-Love,” Catsi Catalan’s “Fleeting,” TM Malones’ “Salum,” and Tara Illenberger’s “Tigkiliwi.” In addition, twenty-five student directors will compete in the Puregold CinePanalo’s annual student shorts category.

The 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival will take place at the Gateway Cineplex 18 in Cubao, Quezon City, from March 14-25. 

CinePanalo 2025: Baby Ruth Villarama, Julius Alfonso, JP Habac, Rod Marmol among shortlist directors