Sinag Maynila 2025 finalists. Anna Cerezo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — The Sinag Maynila Film Festival marked its seventh edition with a record-breaking 300 submissions, narrowed down to five full-length features and a curated slate of shorts and documentaries.
“Nahirapan kami mamili, ang dami entries. We got over 300-plus , last year 200-plus,” Solar Entertainment President Wilson Tieng, who co-founded the film festival with award winning director Brillante Mendoza, said in an interview held in Quezon City, Wednesday.
“We are focusing in short films this year, nakita namin napaka dami estudyante, filmmaking pinipili, di na engineering. Marami nagsimula sa Sinag Maynila tulad ni Zig Dulay,” he said.
Among the full-length features that will screen in select cinemas from Sept 24-30 is Joel Lamangan’s “Madawag Ang Landas Patungong Pag-Asa,” starring Rita Daniela, Jak Roberto, and Albie Casino; Abellana, JM de Guzman, and Cesar Montano.
“It is a story about a teacher and a town. ayaw na ng mga bata mag-aral dahil nagkaroon ng encounter ang rebels at militar sa town. hanggang may isang babaemg teacher pumunta at niligawan mga bata at magulang para pumasok ulit. madami siyang pinagdaanan para makumbinse sila,” Lamangad explained.
Other finalists are Kevin Pison Piamonte’s “Candé,” Serville Poblete’s “Altar Boy,” Topek Lee’s “Jeongbu,” and G.B. Sampedro’s “Selda Tres.”
“Sinag Maynila” film festival has built its reputation as a platform for innovative storytelling that gives both established and emerging filmmakers a space to share stories that reflect the Filipino experience.
"The enthusiasm from the filmmaking community is exactly what Sinag Maynila is all about,” Tieng said.
“We are thrilled to continue our advocacy for 'Sine Lokal, Pang-International' and provide a space where these talented individuals can share their work with a wider audience" Mendoza added in a statement.
The festival organizers set the price of admission at only P250 per ticket.
“Panahon na talaga para ibaba ang presyo. Napakamahal ng sine. Dati iyan isa sa pinaka mura, ngayon isa sa pinaka mahal. Di na kaya ng ordinaryong mangagawa,” Lamangan said.
FULL LIST:
Sinag Maynila 2025 Finalists: Documentary - Open Call
1. Bai - Dimae "Ben" Holzhauer
2. Embo Between Two Cities - Charles Kirby Fabellon
3. Mga Bayaning Ayta (Ayta Heroes) - Donnie Sacueza
4. Oscar's Recipe - Giovanni Piolo V. Rayla
Sinag Maynila 2025 Finalists: Documentary - Students
1. Alon Likha (Waves of Creation) Director - Deanne Marie S. Idanan
2. Daungan Ng Mga Naghihintay (Where The Waiting Docks) Director - Kaila Arvi B. Ariston
3. Kaliwa (Kaliwa: The Dam) Director - Jade Oraa
4. Pagtipig (Keeping) Director - Reutsche Colle Lima
5. Pendiyente Director - Zyra Mae Plegaria
6. PDL 000 Director - Zechri Jacob L. Alvarez
7. Puno’t Dulo Ng Bahaghari (Beginning And End Of The Rainbow) Director - Kyle Dexter Millave
8. Romeo And Julie Directors - Ysamae Yrrah Carelo & Edward John Louis Factes
9. Sa Wakas, Kasama (Finally, With You) Director - Janno Pelias
10. Tuninong Na Pagpayaba (Silent Love) Director - Lorenz Adler A. Villamor
11. BALLASIWEN TI PINAGBIYAG — Ahron Cula
Sinag Maynila 2025 Finalists: Short Films - Open Call
1. Ang Babayi sa Suba (The Woman From The River) Director - Jonathan Jurilla
2. Ang Gadya Sang Suba (The Tale Of The River Monster) Director - Daniel de la Cruz
3. Defectives Director - Jalen Buenaseda
4. Hello, Mr. Jenkins Directors - Gian Arre & Flo Reyes
5. Kataw Director - Alyssa Ashley Manugas
6. Lip Sync Assassin Director - Jon Galvez
7. Muli Na Ka, Merlie (Merlie, Go Home) Director - Shane David
8. Nagahanaw Na Mga Aninipot (Vanishing Fireflies) Director - JP Corton
9. Open Time Director - Mark Moneda
10. Parapo (Stop!) Director - Jhonny Bobier
11. Sa Pwesto ni Pistong (The Barber’s Chair) Director - VinJo Entuna
12. Si Sir kag ang Gamay nga Bata (Sir And The Kid) Director - Seb Valdez
13. Together Director - Blasgil C. Tanquilut
14. Transients Director - Kyla Danelle Romero
15. Walk with Jesus Director - Redh Honoridez
16. Walo-walo: Walo ka Adlaw nga Kanay, Walo ka Adlaw nga Labugay (Sea Krait: Eight Days of Calm, Eight Days of Turbulence) Director - Mery Grace Rama-Mission
Sinag Maynila 2025 Finalists: Short Films - Students
1. 50/50 (FIFTY/ FIFTY) Director - Kien Manuntag
2. Akin Ang Buhok Ko (My Hair Is Mine) Director - Luke Salazar
3. Alimuom (Petrichor) Director - Yasmin Andrea Chan
4. Alingawngaw (Dissonance) Director - Marco Bravo
5. Ang Luha Ay Bahagi Ng Karagatan (Tears Are Part Of The Ocean) Director - Ryner Viray
6. Bisa (Power You Hold) Directors - Sabrina San Juan & Jan Nicole Nieves
7. Boi Director - Luke Del Castillo
8. Forty-Nine, Fifty Director - Johnfil Crisjim Nunez
9. In Case You Miss It Director - Jadrien Morales
10. Ipon-Ipon Director - John Rev A. Remo
11. Kadigaguman (Echo) Director - Zarrina Fernandez
12. Lado (Rotten Coconut) Director - John Rey De La Cruz
13. Mga Aningal Sa Taguangkan (Echoes From The Womb) Director - Rovic Lopez
14. MIK-AP (Make-Up) Director - Justiny Sayson
15. Nostalgia Director - Aries C. Ferrer
16. Opportunity Director - Eunice Sy
17. Puhon (Someday) Director - Lady Princes A. Tero
18. Sa Humba Nimo (Your Humba) Director - Allen Joshua S. Trinidad
19. Si Balong At Si Doro (Balong And Doro) Director - Jenser Recosana
20. Taga-Taga (Praying Mantis) Director - Trini Archie V. Garcia
21. The Night is Alive Director - Vincent Ibut
22. Through The Viewfinder Director - Charlie Garcia Vitug
23. Tinigom (Savings) Director - Keith Nemenzo
24. Una’t Huling Inuman (First And Last Drinking Session) Director - Dominic Rivera
25. Walahanon (Left) Director - Kristal Kaye C. Tadle