Veteran and award-winning actor Christopher de Leon headed the jury of the 2025 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival recently held at the cinemas of Shangri-La Plaza, Gateway and Ayala Malls.
Christopher was honored to be the Jury President of one of the most received local film festivals.
From Day One of the showing of the most awaited showbiz event in the Philippines, de Leon was busy in watching and evaluating the performances of all the elements of individual films.
According to the actor, he is excited to grade and proclaim the winners of this year’s Cinemalaya.
Ten (10) full-length features were screened from October 3 to 12, 2025.
Together with Boyet were four world renowned filmmakers and film professionals who judged, scored and deliberated with him in the final phase of the judging.
De Leon’s fellow jurors were famous screenwriter Michiko Yamamoto, prizewinning director Pepe Diokno, critic and educator and expert in Asian Cinema Mar Schilling and scriptwriter and screenplay consultant Sophia Wellington.
This year’s Cinemalaya also paid homage to award-winning and reclusive Filipino film genius Mike de Leon who died recently.
Mike was the director of no-nonsense films like “Itim,” “Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising,” “Batch ’81,” “Kisapmata,” “Kakabakaba Ka Ba?” “Hindi Nahahati ang Langit,” “Aliwan Paradise,” “Sister Stella L,” “Bilanggo sa Dilim,” “Bayaning Third World, “Citizen Jake,” among other notable works.
The Cinemalaya 21 organization thought and gave him a tribute by showing the satiric and iconic absurd film “Kakabakaka Ka Ba?” as the closing tentpole of the occasion.
“Kakabakaba Ka Ba?” is headlined by Christopher, Charo Santos, Jay Ilagan and Sandy Andolong and tackled foreign control over the Philippines by presenting devices such as comedy and parody to describe Japanese imperialism in the country.
In his lifetime, Mike was considered as one of the leading figures in the evolution of one of the golden ages of Philippines cinema in the 70s and 80s.
Before Mike ventured into directing, he was National Artist for Film Lino Brocka’s cinematographer in the award-winning and neo-realist and naturalist masterpiece “Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag” where he got the Best Cinematography award in Famas in 1975.
He was also the producer of the now classic Filipino film.
During the Cinemalaya 21, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jose Javier Reyes, a lot of film talents were discovered or reinvigorated, particularly in acting, such as Geraldine Villamil (“Republika ng Pipolipinas”), Elijah Canlas (”Raging”), Mylene Dizon (“Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra and Kasaysayan”) and JM Ibarra (“Child No. 82”).
According to Joey, “these are the noteworthy performances that bring excitement to Philippine cinema.
Too, as a mentor at the De La Salle University Department of Communication, he is proud of the alumni he has produced: “For the first time in God knows how long, two alumni of the DLSUDC part of the he selected finalists of the full length feature of Cinemalaya XXI.
“These are Raymund Barcelon, Palanca Award winning writer of ‘Paglilitis’ and Kevin Zarate Alambra, director of ‘Warla.’ Let their accomplishment in this year's most important film festival in the country be an inspiration to DLSU ComArts students that there is a world of media out there meant to be conquered and to be a vessel of change. Let their participation in this year's festival prove that filmmaking is a vital part of the creation of tradition and the reshaping of nation building.
“Mabuhay ang mga La Salyanong Alagad ng Pelikulang Pilipino! Mabuhay ang mga Propesor ng Sining ng De la Salle University at College of Saint Benilde,” Javier Reyes noted on his Facebook wall.
Meanwhile, ten (10) short films also vied for top prizes in the fest.
Laurice Guillen, President of Cinemalaya Foundation, opened the 2025 Cinemalaya while actress and TV host Julia Clarete emceed the kick-off film event.
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