“Under a Piaya Moon” and “Last Shift” Win Big at Inaugural Puregold CinePanalo Awards Night

“Under a Piaya Moon” and “Last Shift” bagged the coveted Pinakapanalong Pelikula awards in the full-length and short film categories respectively at the inaugural Puregold CinePanalo Awards Night. Held on March 16 at the Gateway Cineplex 18, it was an emotional night as both established names as well as young up-and-comers received recognition for their exceptional efforts. 

In the full-length category, Kurt Soberano’s debut feature “Under a Piaya Moon” left the biggest impact as it bagged six awards including the coveted Panalong Aktor and Panalong Pangalawang Aktor. Close behind was Sigrid Andrea Bernardo’s “Pushcart Tales” which left with four awards including Panalong Direktor and Panalong Karangalan Mula sa Mga Hurado.

Meanwhile among the student shorts, Ronjay-C Mendiola’s “Last Shift” achieved the most accolades, winning five awards through the night including Panalong Aktor and Panalong Pangalawang Aktor. Diezelle C. Masilungan’s “Kung Nag-aatubili” also impressed with a total of four awards including Panalong Direktor and a tie for Panalong Pangalawang Aktor. 

Award winners were selected by an esteemed jury of judges.  Victor Villanueva, Emmanuel dela Cruz, Lito Zulueta, served as the jury for the short film category while Jeffery Jeturian, Mae Cruz-Alviar, and June Kim served for the full-length category. Festival directors Ivy Hayagan-Piedad and Chris Cahilig alongside Republic Creative’s Lyle Gonzales served on both juries.

Representatives from festival partners MTRCB and Mowelfund were also in attendance to award special prizes to exceptional film entries. 

“Smokey Journey,” “Tiil ni Lola,” and “Kung Nag-aatubili” received first, second, and third prize respectively in the MTRCB Responsableng Paglikha short-film category, while “Under a Piaya Moon” took home the award in the full-length category. 

Mowelfund also gave out special citations for “Ka Benjie” in the short film category and “Under a Piaya Moon” in the full-length category. They also gave away scholarships to ten of the most promising student filmmakers to participate in the festival.

Screenings of the festival films will also have an extended run at Gateway 2 Cinemas starting on March 20, Wednesday. 

The full list of award winners is as follows:

PINAKAPANALONG PELIKULA

Full-length: “Under a Piaya Moon”

Short Film: “Last Shift”

ALWAYS PANALO FILM

Full-length: “A Lab Story”

Short Film: “Smokey Journey”

PANALONG DIREKTOR

Full-length: Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, “Pushcart Tales”

Short Film: Dizelle C. Masilungan, “Kung Nag-aatubili”

PANALONG AKTRES

Full-length: Shamaine Buencamino, “Pushcart Tales”

Short Film: Jade Mary Cornelia, “Text FIND DAD and Send to 2366”

PANALONG AKTOR

Full-length: Carlos Siguion-Reyna, “Pushcart Tales,” and Jeff Moses, “Under a Piaya Moon”

Short Film: Jules Azaula, “Last Shift,” and Cristmer Valencia, “May Kulay Rosas Ba sa Bahaghari?”

PANALONG KARANGALAN MULA SA MGA HURADO

Full-length: “Pushcart Tales”

Short Film: “Text FIND DAD and Send to 2366”

PANALO SA MGA MANONOOD

Full-length: “A Lab Story”

Short Film: “Saan Ako Pinaglihi?”

PANALONG PANGALAWANG AKTRES

Full-length: Nicole Omillo, “Boys at the Back”

Short Film: Maila Rediang, “Repeater si Peter”

PANALONG PANGALAWANG AKTOR

Full-length: Joel Torre, “Under a Piaya Moon”

Short Film: Vince Macapobre, “Last Shift,” and Aiskhylos Akiyama, “Kung Nag-aatubili”

PANALONG KWENTO

Full-length: Raynier F. Brizuela, “Boys at the Back”

Short Film: Ronjay-C Mendiola, “Last Shift”

MOWELFUND SPECIAL CITATION

Full-length: “Under a Piaya Moon”

Short Film: “Ka Benjie”

MOWELFUND SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

Kent Michael Cadungog, “Text FIND DAD and Send to 2366”

Jenievive B. Adame, “Smokey Journey”

Daniel Gil, “Distansya”

John Llever Sucaldito, “Tambal nga Sabaw”

Reutsche Colle Rigurosa Lima, “Till ni Lola”

Alexa Moneii Agaloos, “Ka Benjie”

John Pistol L. Carmen, “Repeater si Peter”)

Dizelle C. Masilungan, “Kung Nag-aatubill”)

Joshua Andrey A. Doce, “I Am Mutya and I Thank You!”

Marian Jayce R. Tiongzon, “May Kulay Rosas Ba Sa Bahaghari?”

MTRCB RESPONSABLENG PAGLIKHA

Full-length: “Under a Piaya Moon”

Short Film

1st Place: “Smokey Journey”

2nd Place: “Tiil ni Lola”

3rd Place: "Kung Nag-aatubili”

PANALO SA CINEMATOGRAPHY

Full-length: Nathan Bringuer, “Under a Piaya Moon”

Short Film: Anton Acosta, “Kung Nag-aatubili”

PANALO SA PRODUCTION DESIGN

Full-Length: Kurt Soberano and Jed Sicangco, “Under a Piaya Moon”

Short Film: Mikaela Ganaden, “Remedy Soup”

PANALONG AWITIN

Full-length: “Mahal Kita” by VJ Mendoza, “Road to Happy”

Short Film: “Balik” by Dixzie Dione Cruel, “Tiil ni Lola”

PANALONG ENSEMBLE

Full-length: “Pushcart Tales”

Short Film: “Smokey Journey”

PANALO SA MUSICAL SCORING

Full-length: Owa Marquez, “Boys at the Back”

Short Film: Bernie del Carmen, “Smokey Journey”

PANALO SA EDITING

Full-length: Kurt Soberano and Rodney Jarder Jr., “Under a Piaya Moon”

Short Film: Reutsche Colle Lima, Nyle Justin Bacolod, and Elj Seth Tababa, “Tiil ni Lola”

PANALO SA SOUND DESIGN

Full-length: Nioki Aquino, “Pushcart Tales”

Short Film: Kzee Flores, “May Kulay Rosas Ba sa Bahaghari?”

PANALO SA FILM POSTER

Full-length: “Boys at the Back”

Short Film: “Last Shift”

Embark on an Unforgettable Adventure at Timezone Marquee Mall, Pampanga

The country’s favorite family entertainment center is reinforcing its presence in Central Luzon with a better and more spacious location at the Marquee Mall in San Fernando, Pampanga. Join the fun at Timezone Marquee Mall – Where the joy of play comes alive for Kapampangan families!

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga – Mayap a abak, good morning, Pampanga! Discover a new era of excitement as Timezone reopens its doors at Marquee Mall, Pampanga, unveiling a more expansive and thrilling venue on the third level. With a sprawling 915 square meters dedicated to pure entertainment, Timezone Marquee Mall promises an extensive range of games and attractions to suit the varied preferences and interests of guests of all ages.

ICYMI: Parokya Ni Edgar performed at the HONOR X9b 5G Bagsakan Concert!

HONOR Philippines just threw the very first HONOR X9b 5G Bagsakan and it was a success! 

Parokya Ni Edgar performed at the HONOR X9b 5G Bagsakan Concert on March 16, 2024 

Leading global smart devices provider HONOR Philippines ended the HONOR X9b 5G Bagsakan Concert with flying colors on March 16, 2024. The said event was a thanksgiving celebration for the success of the market’s toughest phone HONOR X9b 5G! Almost a thousand HONOR users gathered to witness the high-caliber performers of the very first HONOR X9b 5G Bagsakan Concert. 

Titans are smashing through the big screen as “Godzilla x Kong,” filmed for IMAX, arrives on March 30. Tickets available now!

The fearsome Godzilla and the mighty Kong are back in action as Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire sees the legendary Titans work together to defeat a mysterious new threat that challenges the existence of Hollow Earth and humanity. Filmed for IMAX, see the larger-than-life creatures lead the fight for this world on the big screen.

Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWzEFE0KqRI

For actors Rebecca Hall and Bryan Tyree Henry, working with director Adam Wingard and his infectious enthusiasm for the film made them feel excitement for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, especially for the fans. “I saw brand new stuff every day. It makes a huge difference when your leader is a fan of this kind of universe, and is excited by the discoveries of what could possibly be, what could unfold. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I think the fans are going to be very excited,” Henry, who plays the character Bermie Hayes, explains.

Rebecca Hall, playing the role of Dr. Ilene Andrews in the film, also shares about director Wingard’s attitude towards filming, “You get this belief that he has a sense of what the film’s going to be, but you also get to have a really good time on set, because he has this exuberance that is just intoxicating. He does have an inner 10-year-old, and he’s there all the time watching everything. He directs with that enthusiasm, and you know you’ve done well, because you can hear him chuckling.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Opens New Temple In Urdaneta

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to grow their ministry with building more places of worship where the community can gather and further grow their faith. One of their projects involves having a dedicated temple located near the vicinity of their members. Currently, there are two temples in the country, particularly in Manila and Cebu. 

However, this is still quite far to members located in father provinces. But there is good news as more temples will be constructed in the next few years to bring them closer to the faithful. Recently, there is a new temple built and is located in Urdaneta City in Pangasinan. This new house of worship is only the third Latter-day Saint temple in the country and the first in Northern Luzon.

The First Presidency of the Church has announced that the open house will be held from Monday, March 18, 2024, to Saturday, March 30, 2024, except Sunday, March 24. The open house gives people of all faiths the opportunity to tour the temple's beautiful interior and grounds and learn about the purpose of these sacred structures. Tours are free, and no reservations are needed. More information is available at UrdanetaTemple.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Following the public open house, the temple will be formally dedicated on Sunday, April 28.

Hello, Philippines! Choi Min-Sik, Kim Go-Eun and director Jang Jae-Hyun invite PH to watch “Exhuma,” in cinemas March 20

Less than a week to go! Discover what lies beneath a mysterious grave in the mystery thriller Exhuma, starring Choi Min-sik, Kim Go-eun, Yoo Hai-jin and Lee Do-hyun, in cinemas March 20. 

Watch Choi Min-Sik, Kim Go-Eun and director Jang Jae-Hyun talk about their new mystery thriller, and invite the Philippines to watch Exhuma in cinemas: https://youtu.be/wa76q_kZVqI 

Exhuma, directed by Jang Jae-Hyun (Svaha: The Sixth Finger, The Priests), tells the story of two talented shamans, a geomancer and a mortician tasked to find a mysterious grave – and unknowingly unleash a malevolent force buried underneath.  

Watch the trailer: https://rb.gy/iueve2

Choi Min-Sik in Exhuma

Health Experts Urge Filipinos to Be Vigilant Against Shingles

(L-R): Archana Rajan, GSK Philippines Adult Vaccines Business Unit Director; Dr. Gio Barangan, GSK Philippines Country Medical Director; So Young Seo, GSK Philippines General Manager; Dr. Gaile Robredo-Vitas, Dermatologist; Dr. Rontgene Solante, Infectious Diseases Specialist; Richard Arboleda, GSK Philippines Communications and Government Affairs Head; Rachel Tongson, Adult Vaccines Marketing Manager, GSK Philippines

Health experts joined forces with global biopharma company GSK to launch a nationwide awareness campaign to educate the public on the risks, impact, and prevention of shingles, a debilitating viral infection. Often overlooked, shingles can lead to serious complications if not treated properly, particularly among older adults. The risk of shingles sharply increases at the age of 50.1

3 Days 2 Nights In Poblacion - Of Clubs, Alcohol, and Love

When we say Poblacion, many would think of their barangay which is the center of towns and cities but recently it means the party capital located in Makati which features a lot of places to eat, drink, party, play and get wild. 

3 Days 2 Nights in Poblacion is a love and friendship movie which happens in the tempting and alluring district of Poblacion. Charlie (Jasmine) and Gabbi (Barbie) are best friends who are now meeting again after a long time and supposed to have just a farewell party but ended up with extending their stay and rebook the flight.

This opportunity brings in another character Javi (JM de Guzman) who is a common love interest of the two. They went on a bar-hopping adventure which leads them more than food and drinks, but also weird encounters, on-the-spot drag, and eventually opening themselves up to each other.

Indeed, the depictions of the places were accurate, yet they can also get wilder and darker if they dared. Performances of the cast is indeed entertaining with their antics but sometimes it can stray quite far from the plot and loses its essence. 

Feelin’ Like A K-pop Star? UR Wants You To Audition This March 16-17!

Are you ready to showcase your talents and join the ranks of the extraordinary? This is your moment to shine on the global stage, captivate hearts, and leave an indelible mark on the international music scene.

Aspiring teen idols (15-19 years old), mark your calendars for March 16th and 17th for a chance to turn your dreams into reality!

If you have prior experience in dancing and singing or you have already tried joining talent shows, audition at 10F Universal Tower 1487 Quezon Avenue in Quezon City from 9am to 5pm and bring your A-game! This is your opportunity to step onto the international stage, make a name for yourself, and leave an indelible mark on the world.

“YOLO,” China’s biggest box office hit of 2024, opens in Philippine cinemas April 17

Get ready to laugh, cry and be inspired by YOLO, the comedy drama that broke records in China when it opened during the Lunar New Year holiday. 

Sony Pictures recently acquired the international distribution rights to the film, and it will open in Philippine cinemas, via Columbia Pictures, on April 17. Directed by Jia Ling, YOLO is the biggest grossing film so far for 2024, earning a massive $475 million at  the global box office to date.

Lei Jia Yin and Jia Ling (also the director and writer) in YOLO

YOLO tells the story of Le Ying (played by Jia Ling), who has been staying at home for many years, doing nothing in particular. After graduating from college and working for a while, Le Ying chooses to withdraw from society, closing herself off from social circles, which she believes is the best way to “reconcile” with herself. Then one day, after several twists of fate, she decides to live life in a different way. In cautiously venturing into the outside world, Le Ying meets boxing coach Hao Kun (played by Lei Jia Yin), who just may change her life.