Puregold CinePanalo celebrates second year with more production grants on the line

The journey to the second year of Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival is finally underway, with its introductory press conference held last July 23 at the Gateway Cineplex 18. A sequel to last year’s historic debut Puregold CinePanalo, this year’s iteration promises to give filmmakers across the country more opportunities to showcase their skill, creativity, and dedication to their craft.

Puregold is treating the success of the festival's inaugural run as a launching pad for something even bigger. This year’s version of the Puregold CinePanalo has up for grabs an increased funding pool for selected filmmakers, with seven full-length directors set to receive a production grant worth three million pesos (PHP3,000,000.00), while twenty-five selected student short film directors will receive a production grant worth one hundred and fifty thousand pesos (P150,000.00). Seven full-length film grants are to be given this time around, surpassing last year’s six.

Emphasized at the press conference was that, as in the previous year, this year’s Puregold CinePanalo seeks film entries that showcase the indomitable spirit of the Filipino through uplifting and inspiring “panalo stories.” The press conference also sent out reminders that those who believe they have what it takes have to submit a complete screenplay among other requirements by either July 30 for full-length films or August 15 for student shorts.

To encourage aspiring filmmakers to join the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, a slew of directors from last year’s event joined the press conference to share their experiences creating their selected features. Present at the launch was Always Panalo Film awardee Carlo Obispo. Best Picture winner Kurt Soberano, of the recently re-screened Under A Piaya Moon, also sent a special video message to encourage filmmakers to submit their panalo stories for submission.

In addition to the messages from the full-length directors, five student directors also offered messages at the event in order to demonstrate the kinds of experiences and opportunities Puregold CinePanalo can bring young aspiring filmmakers. In attendance were Always Panalo Film awardee Jenievive Adame, Best Director winner Dizelle Masilungan, and regional filmmakers Marian Jayce Tiongzon and Joanah Demonteverde.

The event was also opened by Puregold’s Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Piedad, who delivered an emphatic statement on the importance of rewarding Filipino artistry and celebrating the spirit of Kwentong Panalo ng Buhay. She also noted that Puregold CinePanalo’s mandate found it especially important to give opportunities to student filmmakers who may not have the same access to filmmaking resources as established directors do.

“When we first launched Puregold CinePanalo, we envisioned it to champion Filipino stories, advocate for student filmmakers by providing them with a platform for their dream short films, and elevate the local film scene,” said Piedad.

Piedad noted how the previous iteration of the Puregold CinePanalo was instrumental in bringing to light the talents of several young, aspiring filmmakers, some of whom have used the momentum from the competition to further fuel their artistic dreams.

“We saw the birth of promising talents, with several inspiring stories that came to life on the big screen. Fueled by last edition’s success, here we are once again!” continued Piedad, “Back and bigger than ever, ready to celebrate another year of incredible films and mark the second chapter of Puregold CinePnalo.”

All interested filmmakers are once again encouraged to read through all the mechanics of the 2025 Puregold CinePanalo Festival which are publicly available on Puregold’s official social media accounts. Upon perusing through the mechanics, aspiring contestants may then proceed to submit their official applications at https://forms.gle/wNUUQ62okYcyW5r37.

For those looking to learn more, inquiries may be sent to thesecretariat@cinepanalo.com.

Jennylyn Mercado joins Beautéderm as newest endorser

Ultimate Star Jennylyn Mercado was unveiled as the newest face of Beautéderm, joining the list of A-list celebrities who endorse the leading beauty and wellness brand.

She officially endorses Beautéderm’s top-tier face serums — Cristaux Retinol (anti-aging), Cristaux Vitamin C (brightening), and Cristaux Hydra-Beauty (anti-acne).

During the official launch and contract signing on July 18 in Solaire, Quezon City, Beautéderm founder Rhea Tan praised and thanked Mercado.

“I follow Jennylyn Mercado on Instagram. Some of her dear friends also told me before that she’s a nice person. Her star power and huge social media following will hopefully connect us to more consumers. Jennylyn embodies grace and beauty,” said Tan.

The Beautéderm CEO continued, “I welcome Jennylyn to Beautéderm family. I hope this partnership will inspire Filipinas across the country to feel confident and beautiful in their own skin.”

GMA’s Ultimate Star responded, “Ms. Rhea Tan is an inspiration to everyone. She’s really good at what she does — business. People look up to her. People follow her. You know why? Because she’s authentic and sincere. She protects her brand and she values her consumers. I am very grateful for her trust and for the trust of her company. I believe in the products.”

Beautéderm will also celebrate its 15th anniversary. Tan shared that she’s thankful and blessed.

Formulated with high-quality ingredients, Cristaux Retinol (anti-aging), Cristaux Vitamin C (brightening), and Cristaux Hydra-Beauty (anti-acne) are available at Shopee, Lazada, TikTok, and Beautéderm stores nationwide.

Let’s Drink Two Blythe

A MELON-tastic event it was for all the guests who witnessed the ociation of Blythe and Dear Face’s lasting partnership for another two fruitful years.

As everyone eagerly waited for the star to arrive, guests were smitten by the grand interior setup that was inspired by a summer in the hamptons aesthetic. Guests bonded over laughs, good food, and an eventful ice breaker session, hosted at the top-tier resto, Lore Manila by Chef Tatung.

In the Q&A portion, Beauty Milk Melon remains to be her top flavor of choice amongst the wide listing of Beauty Milk products claiming that “it’s really eective”

More so, when the ever-so polished CEO and founder Ms. Jonah was asked the reason why the renewed partnership happened even though the existing one hasn’t

ended yet, the founder alluded to the genuine bond that was formed among the two. But more than that, she added that ‘Blythe’ is “an eective endorser” that actually converts.

Safe to say that this collaboration is just the start of a ‘sunny’ collaboration with the star.

Puregold's Nasa Atin ang Panalo presents a night of spectacular OPM collaboration

Puregold’s Thanksgiving Concert proved to be the music event of the year, setting a tough act to follow. In a grand celebration of Original Pinoy Music (OPM), the remarkable Panalo stories behind wonderful talents, and Puregold’s many years of making victories happen, the retail giant recently hosted the spectacularNasa Atin Ang Panalo concert at the Araneta Coliseum. Held on July 12, 2024, this musical extravaganza, which fans eagerly waited for in the past few months, showcased some of the finest and most loved artists of today’s OPM scene, working together to create beautiful music. 

The star-studded event featured spectacular performances–and, to the fans’ delight and surprise, collaborations–from headliners SB19, BINI, Flow G, and SunKissed Lola. OPM enthusiasts and loyal Puregold customers were also treated to appearances by renowned artists Gloc-9 and Skusta Clee, adding even more excitement to the highly anticipated night.

The concert also featured a refreshing lineup of front acts, including Letters from June, Esay, and Kahel, who warmed up the stage and captivated the audience with their unique sounds and artistry.

The surprise collaborations between the artists served as the highlight of Puregold Nasa Atin Ang Panalo Thanksgiving Concert, with each headliner segment featuring a collaboration with another artist.

On the concert’s success, Puregold Price Club Inc. President Vincent Co expressed his pride and gratitude: "The Nasa Atin Ang Panalo Thanksgiving concert marks another significant milestone for Puregold. Celebrating 25 years of success and 500 stores, we have also forged a path for others to create their own Panalo stories. This event is our way of showing appreciation to our loyal shoppers and the community that helped us get here."

More than just a showcase of musical powerhouses, Nasa Atin Ang Panalo was a Thanksgiving event celebrating Puregold's milestone of reaching 500 stores in its 25th year. It was a night dedicated to the company’s beloved customers, hardworking employees, and supportive partners.

In the weeks leading up to the Nasa Atin Ang Panalo concert, Puregold teased and released original music created in collaboration with the concert headliners. This treat provided A’Tin, Blooms, Flow G followers, Dolores, and hip-hop and rap fans with exciting new music videos from their favorite artists.

Stay tuned in! Subscribe now to Puregold Channel on YouTube, like @puregold.shopping on Facebook, follow @puregold_ph on Instagram and Twitter, and @puregoldph on TikTok for more updates.

Innovative Korean skincare brand Dr. Jart+ is finally in the Philippines

The world loves Korean skincare, and there’s no brand more loved than Dr. Jart+. That’s what makes its arrival in the Philippines a thrill for skincare enthusiasts, “skinnies”, and K-beauty buffs around the country. It’s a brand that practically invented the K-beauty industry, tracing its contributions back to one of the first BB creams ever made. It was founded in Seoul in 2005 by architect Leeo (Chin Wook) Lee. While working, Leeo was introduced to a makeup-like blemish balm only available in dermatology clinics. Inspired by this hybrid functionality, Leeo began collaborating with laboratories to create a product that blended powerful skincare benefits with the coverage of a foundation. A designer in a lab. Doctor + art. Dr. Jart+ was born.

 

Today, Dr. Jart+ is globally known for its unique blend of scientific innovation and creativity- fantastic, effective formulations delivered with an artful play that make the brand experience unlike any other. That’s the draw, and that’s what guests got first hand at the Cicapair launch on July 1. 

 

Redness and sensitivity are near the top of the list of skin concerns for Filipinos, and there are a lot of reasons. Pollution, environmental stressors, heat, sun, acne, irritation- you name it, the Philippines has it. So the launch was conceptualized as an immersive experience- part art installation, part laboratory, and all of it visually stunning. At the outset, guests were invited to explore The Red Zone, a gallery of red video walls, lights, and text representing skin concerns and common sensitivities. Here they got a better understanding of the underlying causes. From the harsher environment of the first room, guests were then guided to the Sensitivity Free Zone, a green room with a contrastingly calm vibe enhanced by DJ Dara performing in the Chill Lounge. The centerpiece of the space was the Cicapair lab where brand ambassadors shared their expert product knowledge, conducted skin analysis tests, identified individual sensitivities, and gave personalized recommendations on how to soothe them. Guests soon found out why Cicapair is the perfect range to help them soothe and calm their sensitive skin. Each Dr.Jart+ product has been designed to treat everyday complexion concerns with a blend of skin-balancing and ultra-healing formulas. 

 

Dr.Jart+ Cicapair™ Collection 

 

The products use tiger grass from Asian wetlands and other lab-tested cica skincare ingredients. The serums, creams, and masks in the Cicapair™ collection were created to deliver the power of cica skincare straight to your skin. 

 

Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30is a cica skincare bestseller that corrects redness and helps protect skin from environmental aggressors like the sun’s rays and pollution. 

 

Cicapair™ Foaming Cleanser gently purifies and calms sensitive skin with its soothing formula. Infused with tiger grass (centella asiatica) and a blend of herbs, it effectively cleanses while reducing redness and irritation, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and balanced. 

Cicapair™ Intensive Soothing Repair Gel Cream is a lightweight yet deeply hydrating gel-cream that targets redness and sensitivity. Formulated with tiger grass (centella asiatica) and botanical extracts, it helps to calm and soothe irritated skin while providing a barrier to protect against environmental stressors. 

 

Other Dr.Jart+ Collections 

 

As a brand that’s all about creation, there are a lot more Dr Jart+ ranges to test out. So if redness isn’t the concern, there’s a product for every issue from dehydration, uneven skin tone, fine lines, to wrinkles, and more. 

 

The Ceramidin™ collection with Ceramides and Panthenol + Glycerin helps strengthen the skin barrier making it look and feel healthy, hydrated, glowing and full of bounce. 

 

The Vital Hydra Solution™ collection with Hyaluronic Acid + PENTAVITIN™ instantly hydrates, plumps, and boosts skin's glow. Dr.Jart+'s new water cream, treatment essence, and bestselling face mask are all dermatologist-tested. 

 

Dr. Jart+’s Every Sun Day™ Sunscreen collection protects the skin from harmful UV rays while providing skincare benefits. 

 

Dr.Jart+ is exclusively available at Watsons and LOOK At Me stores nationwide, watsons.com.ph and Watsons official stores on Shopee and Lazada