Award-winning actor Allen Dizon  expressed his thoughts on a common challenge in the entertainment industry: selecting co-stars for film and television projects. 

During an interview for the premiere of his movie "Salum" for the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival at Gateway Cinema recently, Allen admits that he feels it is unlikely he will ever have the opportunity to choose who he will share the screen with personally. 

Instead, he acknowledges that casting decisions are typically made by directors and producers, leaving him to adapt to various acting partners throughout his illustrious career. 

"Hindi ako tumatanggi sa mga project. Minsan pa nga may mga projects na first or second choice lang ako eh. Okay lang yun. Kahit ano man yan, materyal na bagay or movie project, kung para sa'yo, sa'yo talaga yan eh. (I don't turn down projects. Sometimes, I may be the second choice for a project. But that's alright. Whether it's material possessions or film projects, if it's meant for you, it's truly yours)," said Allen.

Asked if he had turned down any showbiz project due to co-stars, Allen said: "Walang masamang tinapay sa akin. Hindi ako tumatanggi sa kung sino ang kasama ko at hindi rin naman nila ako tinatanggihan. Parang hindi na ako aabot sa ganun. Kasi kung may problema man, aayusin ko. Hindi na kailangan patagalin pa. (I haven't turned down any artist to work on a project. It seems like I'll never reach that point)," the actor also said.

Allen, 47, has received the most acting awards of any Filipino actor. As of March 2025, Allen has already won 51 acting trophies, 13 of which received international recognition.

For the first time, Allen participated in the CinePanalo Film Festival with the movie "Salum," in which he portrays a scallop diver striving to discover treasures of the sea to uplift his struggling family. The movie, directed by TM Mallones, was shot on Gigantes Island.

In the movie, Allen is also an Alog, essentially a Tagalog for someone who has migrated to or resides in the Visayas, particularly in Iloilo. That’s why he does not speak the Iloilo dialect in the movie.

Allen's family came out in full force to support him during the premiere of his latest movie, which also stars Christine Mary Dimaisip.

From March 14 to 25, all full-length films and student short selections for Puregold CinePanalo 2025 Film Festivsal will screen exclusively at Gateway Cineplex 18.

Regular tickets cost Php 250, while discounted tickets are available for students, PWDs, senior citizens, Tindahan ni Aling Puring, and Perks Card members for Php 200.

For those who want the whole festival experience, the Puregold CinePanalo Festival Pass grants access to all official movie entries for Php 2,000.