PASSERBY: 

Dennis Trillo isn’t afraid to take on a contravida role in new historical drama series, Pulang Lupa, coming soon on GMA. Action-drama also stars Alden Richards, Barbie Forteza, David Licauco and Sanya Lopez.

Carla Abellana says she’s ready to be in the same (public) room with ex-husband Tom Rodriguez, who has admitted in an interview that he has moved on and found a new love. Carla is aware that being under the same GMA Network, it can’t be helped that she and Tom would cross paths anytime soon.

Daniel Padilla partners with John Arcilla in what should be a test project, Star Cinema’s The Guest. The suspense-thriller is Padilla’s first film following his celebrated break-up with perennial loveteam, Kathryn Bernardo. Earlier, Kathryn proved her worth as a solo star by way of the box office hit, The Good Girl, minus DJ by her side.

Billboard Philippines has assigned the title Queen of Philippine Pop Culture to Jolina Magdangal during a recent celebration. Although a daunting title, Jolina, in my opinion, is deserving of this moniker as she has impacted heavily on the celebration and popularity of Pinoy pop culture starting from the 1990s when she set trends and helped shape popular culture among her followers, young people most especially.

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Recently held Puregold Cinepanalo Film Festival (March 15 to 19 at Gateway Cineplex in Cubao) is a real winner where industry stakeholders and audiences are concerned.

As thousands flocked to the theaters screening the 25 short films (by student filmmakers) and six full-length features (by professionals), we realized that grocery chain Puregold, through creative genius Chris Cahilig as festival director, has just struck upon a magical idea. 

Here is one film festival that recognizes, rewards and awards amateur film makers side by side professional directors, even lumping them together in one helluva an awards night, March 16.

One can sense the excitement, honor and pride among the young students as their entries were called on stage competing in this and that category. Handing them their trophies were directors who have made their mark in the industry, the likes of Mae Cruz Alviar, Victor Villanueva, actors Boots Anson Roa Rodrigo, Rez Cortez.

What a symbolic gesture such scenes created: Industry veterans recognizing the promise shown by the young film makers with big dreams in their heart and raring to follow in the footsteps of their seniors.

That, to me, is the greatest accomplishment of Puregold Cinepanalo Film Festival aside from its initial harvest of 31 new films that challenge existing trends, making inroads into less travelled paths.

As a new player in the local movie industry, Puregold has invested heavily in the production and promotion of the 25 shorts and 6 full-length features. Each short film was awarded a grant of 100,000 pesos while the full-length features got 2 million pesos each.