History was made under the warm lights of Viva Café last night as the 2025 CineSilip Film Festival held its inaugural awards ceremony—a night of triumph, tears, and thunderous applause for the boldest new voices in Philippine cinema.
Under the visionary leadership of Festival Director Ronald Arguelles, the event gathered filmmakers, actors, crew, and industry icons to honor seven groundbreaking films that dared to challenge, provoke, and inspire. And at the center of it all? Rodina Singh’s Dreamboi—the film that didn’t just survive controversy, but soared to glory.
🏆 Official Winners of the 2025 CineSilip Film Festival
🥇 BEST FILM
“Dreamboi”
Written and directed by Rodina Singh
Starring Tony Labrusca, EJ Jallorina, Migs Almendras, and Jenn Rosa
🥈 2nd BEST FILM
“Pagdaong”
Directed by Pongs Leonardo | Written by Carlo Obispo
Starring Angela Morena, Ashley Lopez, Astrid Lee, and Chester Grecia
🥉 3rd BEST FILM
“Haplos sa Hangin”
Written by Sonny Calvento & Mikko Baldoza
Starring Martin Del Rosario, Denise Esteban, and Angelica Cervantes
🎭 Acting & Directing Excellence
- Best Director: Rodina Singh (Dreamboi)
- Best Screenplay: Sonny Calvento & Mikko Baldoza (Haplos sa Hangin)
- Best Actor: Martin Del Rosario (Haplos sa Hangin)
- Best Actress: Angela Morena (Pagdaong)
- Best Supporting Actor: Migs Almendras (Dreamboi)
- Best Supporting Actress: Chloe Jenna (Maria Azama)
🎥 Technical & Artistic Mastery
- Best Cinematography: Malay Javier (Dreamboi)
- Best Editing: Arnex Nicolas (Dreamboi)
- Best Production Design: Chips Day Abando (Dreamboi)
- Best Sound: Immanuel Verona & John Buquid (Dreamboi)
- Best Musical Score: Paulo Almaden (Haplos sa Hangin)
🌟 Audience Choice Honor
In a powerful testament to its cultural resonance, Dreamboi also took home the Audience Prize Award—proving that even amid early censorship battles, the public embraced its bold vision with open hearts.
💫 A Night That Felt Like Family
More than a competition, the CineSilip awards felt like a celebration of collective courage. First-time directors stood shoulder-to-shoulder with seasoned creatives. Casts cheered for rival films. Tears flowed when underdog stories were recognized.
Festival Director Ronald Arguelles summed it up perfectly in his closing remarks:
“This isn’t just a festival. It’s a declaration: Filipino cinema is fearless, diverse, and unstoppable.”
As Vivamax executives confirmed CineSilip will return in 2026—bigger and more inclusive—the message was clear: this was only the beginning.
🇵🇭 Mabuhay ang Bagong Henerasyon ng Pelikulang Pilipino!
To every writer who typed through the night.
To every actor who bared their soul.
To every crew member who worked without sleep.
Last night was yours.
Mabuhay ang #CineSilip2025!
Mabuhay ang Pelikulang Pilipino!
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