‘Under a Piaya Moon’ wins big at CinePanalo film fest
“UNDER a Piaya Moon” directed by Kurt Soberano emerged as the big winner of the inaugural Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival as it took home the Best Picture trophy for full-length category during its awards night held March 15 at the Gateway Cinema in Cubao, Quezon City.
Starring Jeff Moses, Joel Torre, Pauline Dimaranan and Charito Ferrer-Motus, among others, the film is set in 1980s Bacolod City and talks about a young man who aspires to continue the family legacy by winning an inter-city pastry competition with the help of his feuding grandfather and grandmother.
In his acceptance speech, director Soberano said, “This wasn’t an easy journey. Half midway, I was about to quit. This was so challenging – never shoot food again.”
Apart from the Best Picture award, “Under a Piaya Moon” also won Best Actor award for Moses, who was tied with “Pushcart Tales’” Carlos Siguion-Reyna.
“Before, I never imagined I would become an actor. I come from a simple province, and I’m proud of it. I just dreamed of becoming an actor, and now it’s here,” newbie actor Moses said in his speech.
Also taking home awards for “Under a Piaya Moon” is Torre who won Best Supporting Actor, Nathan Bringuer for Best in Cinematography, Best in Production Design for Jed Sicangco and Soberano, and Best in Editing for Rodney Jarder Jr. and Soberano. It also took home Movie and Television Review and Classification Board’s (MTRCB) Responsableng Paglikha Award and Special Citation award.
Another big winner for the festival is “Pushcart Tales,” a dramedy that takes place entirely within the walls of a grocery store. The story revolves around six individuals, a diverse group of employees and customers, who find themselves unexpectedly trapped due to a severe storm.
Sigrid Andrea Bernardo won Best Director for the film. It also took home several awards including Special Jury Prize, Best Ensemble, Best Sound Design for Nioki Aquino, Best Actor for Siguion-Reyna, and Best Actress for Shamaine Buencamino.
Other films who won awards for the full-length category include “Boys at the Back” who took home Best Supporting Actress for Nicole Omillo, Best Screenplay for Raynier Brizuela, Best Original Score for Owa Marquez and Best Poster; “Road to Happy” which won Best Song for “Mahal Kita” sung by VJ Mendoza and composed by Marky Alca; and “A Lab Story” which won the Always Panalo Film.
Meanwhile, the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival also recognized winners for Student Short Films category.
Out of 25 official entries, the Best Picture for the Short Film category was won by “Last Shift” – a story of two call center agents – directed by Ronjay Mendiola.
With a theme centered on “Mga Kwentong Panalo ng Buhay,” the inaugural run of Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival runs until today, March 19 at the Gateway Cineplex 18 in Araneta City, Cubao, Quezon City.