Rain or shine, Sinag Maynila opened it’s 7th edition this year at Gateway Cineplex in Cubao celebrating the best of contemporary filmmaking.
This year’s festival boasts of a curated selection of full-length features, documentaries, and short films from both established and rising Filipino filmmakers. All official finalist films will be screened in select Metro Manila theaters from September 24-30, 2025.
Photo by: Erickson dela Cruz
Founded by Solar Entertainment President Wilson Tieng and Cannes International Film Festival Best Director Brillante Mendoza, Sinag Maynila continues its mission to provide a platform for stories that are uniquely Filipino.
The highlight of the opening was the screening of the 4K restored version of the classic 1979 film, Jaguar, directed by National Artist for Film, Lino Brocka starring Philip Salvador, Amy Austra, Anita Linda, Johnny Delgado, Menggie Cobarrubias, Roi Vinzon among many others.
This Asian premiere is made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Philippine Film Archive (PFA) of the FDCP and Cité de Mémoire, with a special talkback session featuring the film’s cast and crew.
It was an honor for the event to be graced by the film’s screenwriters in Jose “Pete” Lacaba and National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee who entertained and reminisced on how the film came about during the talk back session.
Sinag Maynila 2025 will be screened in Gateway, Trinoma, Robinsons Manila, Robinsons Antipolo, SM Mall of Asia, SM Fairview and Market Market. The festival organizers have pegged the price of admission at only Php 250 per ticket making it more affordable for movie goers to watch.
Photo by Erickson dela Cruz
In competition are the following official finalists:
For the full-length feature films, the coming of age drama, “Candé” by Kevin Pison Piamonte starring Gian G. Pomperada, JC Santos, and Sunshine Teodoro; the suspense horror “Jeongbu“ directed by Topel Lee starring Aljur Abrenica, Ritz Azul, and Empress Schuck; the drama “Madawag Ang Landas Patungong Pag-Asa” (The Teacher) by Joel Lamangan starring Rita Daniela, Jak Roberto, and Albie Casino; the action drama “Selda Tres” (Cell Number 3) by GB Sampedro starring Carla Abellana, JM de Guzman, and Cesar Montano; and the drama “Altar Boy” by Serville Poblete and starring Mark Bacolcol, Shai Barcia, and Pablo S.J. Quiogue.
For the documentary section included in the Open call category are “Bai” by Dimae “Ben” Holzhauer, “Embo Between Two Cities” by Charles Kirby Fabellon, “Mga Bayaning Ayta” (Ayta Heroes) by Donnie Sacueza, and “Oscar’s Recipe” by Giovanni Piolo V. Rayla. In the documentary student category are “Alon Likha” (Waves of Creation) by Deanne Marie S. Idanan, “Ballasiwen Ti Pinagbiyag” (Across The Divide) by Ahron Cula, “Daungan Ng Mga Naghihintay” (Where The Waiting Docks) by Kaila Arvi B. Ariston, “Kaliwa” (Kaliwa: The Dam) Jade Oraa, “Pagtipig” (Keeping) by Reutsche Colle Lima, “Pendiyente” by Zyra Mae Plegaria, “PDL 000 “ by Zechri Jacob L. Alvarez, “Puno’t Dulo Ng Bahaghari” (Beginning And End Of The Rainbow) by Kyle Dexter Millave, “Romeo And Julie” by Ysamae Yrrah Carelo and Edward John Louis Factes, “Sa Wakas, Kasama” (Finally, With You) by Janno Pelias, and “Tuninong Na Pagpayaba” (Silent Love) by Lorenz Adler A. Villamor.
For the short films, the lineup for the Open Call category includes “Ang Babayi sa Suba” (The Woman From The River) by Jonathan Jurilla, “Ang Gadya Sang Suba” (The Tale Of The River Monster) by Daniel de la Cruz, “Defectives” by Jalen Buenaseda, “Hello, Mr. Jenkins” by Gian Arre & Flo Reyes, “Kataw” by Alyssa Ashley Manugas, “Lip Sync Assassin” by Jon Galvez, “Muli Na Ka, Merlie” (Merlie, Go Home) by Shane David, “Nagahanaw Na Mga Aninipot” (Vanishing Fireflies) by JP Corton, “Open Time” by Mark Moneda, “Parapo” (Stop!) by Jhonny Bobier, “Sa Pwesto ni Pistong” (The Barber’s Chair) by VinJo Entuna, “Si Sir kag ang Gamay nga Bata” (Sir And The Kid) by Seb Valdez, “Together” by Blasgil C. Tanquilut, “Transients” by Kyla Danelle Romero, “Walk with Jesus” by Redh Honoridez, and “Walo-walo: Walo ka Adlaw nga Kanay, Walo ka Adlaw nga Labugay” (Sea Krait: Eight Days of Calm, Eight Days of Turbulence) by Mery Grace Rama-Mission.
Included in the lineup of short films students category are “50/50” (FIFTY/ FIFTY) by Kien Manuntag, “Akin Ang Buhok Ko” (My Hair Is Mine) by Luke Salazar, “Alimuom” (Petrichor) by Yasmin Andrea Chan, “Alingawngaw” (Dissonance) by Marco Bravo, “Ang Luha Ay Bahagi Ng Karagatan” (Tears Are Part Of The Ocean) by Ryner Viray, “Bisa” (Power You Hold) by Sabrina San Juan & Jan Nicole Nieves, “Boi” by Luke Del Castillo, “Forty-Nine, Fifty” by Johnfil Crisjim Nunez, “In Case You Miss It” by Jadrien Morales, “Ipon-Ipon” by John Rev A. Remo, “Kadigaguman” (Echo) by Zarrina Fernandez, “Lado” (Rotten Coconut) by John Rey De La Cruz, “Mga Aningal Sa Taguangkan” (Echoes From The Womb) by Rovic Lopez, “MIK-AP” (Make-Up) by Justiny Sayson, “Nostalgia” by Aries C. Ferrer, “Opportunity” by Eunice Sy, “Puhon” (Someday) by Lady Princes A. Tero, “Sa Humba Nimo” (Your Humba) by Allen Joshua S. Trinidad, “Si Balong At Si Doro” (Balong And Doro) by Jenser Recosana, “Taga-Taga” (Praying Mantis) by Trini Archie V. Garcia, “The Night is Alive” by Vincent Ibut, “Through The Viewfinder” by Charlie Garcia Vitug, “Tinigom” (Savings) by Keith Nemenzo, “Una’t Huling Inuman” (First And Last Drinking Session) by Dominic Rivera, and “Walahanon” (Left) by Kristal Kaye C. Tadle.
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Photo Credits: Mell Navarro / Erickson dela Cruz
