Puregold CinePanalo entry ‘Starfish’ assembles stellar cast with diverse backgrounds
Puregold CinePanalo entry ‘Starfish’ assembles stellar cast with diverse backgrounds
SINEGANG.ph published this press release by Starfish. No staff writer participated in writing this article.
Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival official entry ‘Starfish’ is centered on the hardships that male sex worker Boyet faces, but it is also a reflection of the cyclical pain that Filipinos of differing generations experience.
While these inherited burdens are largely similar, Filipinos tend to internalize and experience these differently from each other. In conveying these emotions, actors of unknowingly varied backgrounds in acting were cast. These differences bolstered the intensity and passion in ‘Starfish’ by director John Clite Apolinar.
Boyet is led by VR Relosa, whose work in Vivamax films earned him the moniker of ‘Vivamax King.’ With films like ‘Rita’ and ‘Pihit’ under his belt, Relosa brings an intensely steadfast personality yet also a lived-in quality to his Boyet, who goes back to his province after losing his work for refusing to partake in illegal drugs.
Playing his sympathetic sister Pia is Nour Hooshmand, a festival darling whose recent films ‘Cinemartyrs’ and ‘Agapito’ have competed in festivals like Cinemalaya and Cannes, respectively. Pia is a rational yet idealistic thinker, and audiences can rely once again on Hooshmand to deliver another captivating performance with ‘Starfish.’
Theatre actor Floyd Tena plays Domeng, the commanding father of Boyet and Pia. Last seen on stage with the musicals ‘Next to Normal’ and ‘Delia D.,’ the veteran gives ‘Starfish’ the kind of modulated yet commanding presence that he is known for.
‘Starfish’ has an eclectic mix of actors. Despite dissimilar backgrounds, the short film’s actors infuse their respective characters with their personal, lived experiences. Although distinct from one another, its cast functions as one cohesive unit that ultimately serves and grounds the short film.
Each actor’s distinct approach to acting also underscores the question that ‘Starfish’ pushes forward: Is survival alone already sufficient to live in this world?
‘Starfish’ is directed by John Clite Apolinar, with a screenplay written by Adelbert Abrigonda.
The short film is produced by Tasá Productions, which had the following official entries in the previous year’s Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival: ‘Dan, En Pointe,’ ‘Taympers,’ ‘Si Nadia at ang Kanyang mga Kuro-Kuro,’ and ‘My One and Only Bab(o)y.’ Tasá Productions is also producing ‘Alumahan,’ an official entry in this year’s Puregold CinePanalo.
As part of this year’s lineup, ‘Starfish’ will be screened from September 23 to October 4, 2026.
