JC Santos in a scene from 'Cande.' ERK Film ProductionThe Ilonggo film "Cande," directed by Kevin Piamonte and starring JC Santos, has been selected as one of five full-length feature finalists at the Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2025.
Piamonte says the cinematic work will “celebrate Ilonggo heritage, faith, and kinship.”
In the film, the main protagonist Timothy, played by MMFF 2023 best supporting actor JC Santos, comes home to Iloilo after 21 years to bury his only childhood playmate. Timothy hopes to resolve the mysteriously tragic incident that greatly affected their friendship. Filled with bittersweet memories, he retraces his story and the people that made him happy during his brief childhood in Jaro, a district in Iloilo City.
Piamonte says Santos had to learn to speak in Hiligaynon while shooting the film.
It also features the Feast of Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria, the patron saint of Jaro. "Cande" is described in the film as a woman who legends say bathes her child in the plaza fronting the historic Jaro Cathedral during the early morning hours.
Most of the talents are from Iloilo. “We believe that this film will take the Ilonggo talents to newer heights, and our Ilonggo stories to be seen and loved by people around the world,” adds Piamonte, who previously received Best Short Film Award during the 69th FAMAS Virtual Awards in December 2021 for "Solo."
Some of the local artists include Sunshine Teodoro, who hails from Antique, and beauty queen-actress-musician Pupa Dadivas from Capiz. Rounding up the casts are Gian Pomperada, Jan Junash Delima, Julian Paul Larroder, Lara Servando-Retazo, Rachel Santillan Aubert, Tres Arandela, and Sharon Idone.
The film is for the benefit of Taos Puso Foundation, Inc., an NGO based in Iloilo and Guimaras that supports the livelihood of women and children.
The Sinag Maynila Film Festival is now on its seventh edition. From a record-breaking 300 submissions, the full-length features have been narrowed down to five.
Also included in the Sinag Maynila 2025 Full-Length Feature Category finalists are Serville Poblete’s "Altar Boy," Topel Lee’s "Jeongbu," Joel Lamangan’s "Madawag ang Landas Patungong Pag-asa," and GB Sampedro’s "Selda Tres (Cell Number 3)." Curated slate of shorts and documentaries are also among the finalists.
In a previous interview, Sinag Maynila co-founder and Solar Entertainment president Wilson Tieng described they had a difficult time with the selection. “Nahirapan kami mamili, ang dami entries. We got over 300-plus, last year 200-plus,” said Tieng.
LIST: Sinag Maynila 2025 finalists
“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.
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
The full-length features will screen in select cinemas from September 24-30.