The cast of "Fleeting" and director Catsi Catalan unveil the poster for their movie, an entry to the 2025 Puregold Cinepanalo Festival, February 28, 2025 at the Gateway Mall in Quezon City. Photo courtesy of Wence Trajano

MANILA -- Janella Salvador and RK Bagatsing have both been recognized for their performances in "Fleeting," an official entry to the Puregold CinePanalo Festival 2025.

Salvador earned a nomination for "Panalong Aktres (Best Actress)" while Bagatsing also received a "Panalong Aktor (Best Actor)" nod.

Salvador expressed her excitement over the nomination, but for the Kapamilya star, the true fulfillment comes from finally being part of an independent film. This is Salvador's debut in an indie film, coinciding with Catsi Catalan's directorial debut.

"I don't know what to expect. I am really excited to be here and finally doing this," Salvador said Friday, hours before the gala night of "Fleeting" at a mall in Quezon City.

"I have been wanting to enter indie, kaya sobrang na-excite ako. I have been preparing for it," she added.

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According to Salvador, the experience on set was similar to that of mainstream projects, emphasizing that she equally values her dedication to the character. 

"Wala masiyado difference. Sa bawat role tinatangap ko, I take care of my character. I treat her as a real person. Parang it was just a different journey," she explained.

Their characters, Gem and JC, who are seemingly different people, learn to navigate "what is real—or if it's merely fleeting."

"Kailangan hanapin balance. Hanapin san mag align love and ambition. If hindi sakto, kailangan mag isip but either way may growth," Bagatsing said. 

"It is about a woman's journey; she is a woman in a male-dominated industry. It is real and happens in many others where males are preferred. I like how it is empowering. Sakto for women's month," Salvador added.

A scene from "Fleeting." Handout photo

Also part of the film set in the picturesque Mati, Davao, are Alora Sasam and Petersen Mendijar. 

"Sana after this makapunta audience sa Mindanao," Sasam said. 

"Ang ganda pala ng Mati," said Mendijar. 

"Fleeting," which was years in the making, marks the first film of Catalan. 

According to the director, the movie is inspired by her reflections from her "personal journey" she experienced beginning the pandemic.

"I went through personal, We lost our franchise in ABS-CBN, I was with Star Cinema. There was uncertainty with my personal career. I was about to reach 30 at the time," Catalan recalled."Pag nasa gitna ka ng lockdown, marami ka tinatanong sa sarili, choices when you were younger. I wanted to tell a story about our younger selves and the decisions we had to make to make it here."

"Fleeting," along with other Puregold Cinepanalo Festival entries, is exclusively shown at Gateway cinemas.

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