Documentary “Bloom Where You Are Planted” Triumphs as Best Film at Cinemalaya 21

Rochelle Pangilinan, Mylene Dizon, Jojit Lorenzo among top acting awardees

The 21st Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival came to a close with a historic nod to the power of documentary storytelling. The top Balanghai trophy for Best Film (Full-Length Category) was awarded to Bloom Where You Are Planted, a moving documentary by Noni Abao that chronicles the struggles of land rights activists in Cagayan Valley.

The jury cited the film for “its powerful and deeply humane portrayal of political activists uprooted by violence yet steadfast in their pursuit of justice and belonging,” hailing it as “a meditation on home, hope, and resilience.”

In the Short Film Category, Carl Joseph Papa’s The Next 24 Hours emerged victorious for “its hauntingly tender portrayal of trauma and survival,” rendered through rotoscope animation that “turns silence and fear into art with profound compassion.”

Veteran filmmaker Sari Dalena earned the full length best director award for her film Cinemartyrs, commended for her “bold and visionary authorship that fuses cinema, history, and haunting memory into a singular act of resistance.”

Meanwhile, Elian Idioma won his first Balanghai trophy for the short film best director award for I’m Best Left Inside My Head, lauded for its “emotional precision and psychological depth” in exploring guilt, privilege, and belonging.

For Best Screenplay, Child No. 82 by Tim Rone Villanueva and Herlyn Alegre took the Full-Length prize, praised for its “witty and poignant writing” that turns a son’s search for his father into a story of truth and self-discovery.

In the Short Film Category, Handiong Kapuno’s Figat won for “its lyrical storytelling and heartfelt affirmation of indigenous identity through music.”

The NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asia Pacific Cinema) Award recognized Republika ng Pipolipinas by Renei Dimla as the best full-length feature for its “courageous and creative story about resistance and belonging.”
For short films, Hasang by Daniel De La Cruz received the honor for its “tender, poetic fusion of myth and memory.”

Special Jury Prizes were awarded to Cinemartyrs by Sari Dalena and Kay Basta Angkarabo Yay Bagay Ibat Ha Langit (Objects Do Not Randomly Fall from the Sky) by Maria Estela Paiso, both praised for their fearless vision and fusion of myth, memory, and political commentary.

 


 

The powerful ensemble of Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan dominated the acting categories. Jojit Lorenzo won Best Actor for his “restrained yet piercing portrayal of a disillusioned political strategist,” while Nanding Josef earned Best Supporting Actor for his chilling performance as a fading Martial Law general.

Mylene Dizon took home Best Actress for her “searing portrayal of a daughter torn between guilt and moral reckoning,” and Rochelle Pangilinan was named Best Supporting Actress for her quietly powerful role in Child No. 82.

The Best Ensemble Performance award went to the cast of Open Endings — Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Janella Salvador, Klea Pineda, and Leanne Mamonong — for their chemistry and heartfelt depiction of queer friendship and chosen family.

Technical Excellence Recognized

• Best Editing: Che Tagyamon & Arnex Nicolas (Bloom Where You Are Planted)

• Best Cinematography: Theo Lozada (Raging)

• Best Production Design: Jeric Delos Angeles (Padamlágan)

• Best Musical Scoring: Teresa Barrozo (Cinemartyrs)

• Best Sound: Lamberto Casas Jr. (Raging)

Finally, festival-goers chose their favorites: Child No. 82 by Tim Rone Villanueva won Audience Choice (Full-Length), while Ascension from the Office Cubicle by Hannah Silvestre took home Audience Choice (Short Film).

Cinemalaya 21’s winners reaffirmed the festival’s commitment to bold, independent voices and stories that challenge, inspire, and illuminate the Filipino experience — from the struggle for land and memory to the fight for identity and belonging.