Leyteño cinema takes center stage with the upcoming Puregold CinePanalo short film ‘The Sound of K’
Leyteño cinema takes center stage with the upcoming Puregold CinePanalo short film ‘The Sound of K’
Still courtesy of SILAKBO - Baybay Film Organization
SINEGANG.ph published this press release shared by SILAKBO - Baybay Film Organization. No staff writer participated in writing this article.
As the regional film scene in Eastern Visayas continues to gain national momentum, a new narrative is emerging from the heart of Leyte. A Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2026 Finalist, The Sound of K, a deeply personal coming-of-age short film, is set to join the wave of Leyteño cinema, bringing to light a story of voice, identity, and the courage to be heard.
The film centers on Kaloy, a quiet boy born with a repaired cleft lip who grapples with the haunting fear of speech. Haunted by the sounds that expose his struggle, Kaloy retreats into a world of silence to avoid the sting of mispronunciation.
Through a journey involving speech therapy and internal battles with shame, the film reaches a tipping point where silence is no longer an option. The Sound of K promises to be a powerful exploration of how courage doesn't always scream, sometimes, it sounds small, shaky, and intensely brave.
The production brings together a dedicated crew committed to authentic storytelling and elevating regional perspectives. Actor-Director and Writer Jay Gabriel Cañada leads the creative vision, focusing on the atmospheric and emotional weight of Kaloy’s isolation. The story carries a deep personal weight, as Cañada draws directly from his own lived experience of being born with a cleft lip. The film will be produced by Leyteño filmmakers JP Corton (Nalumos Akong Papa Sa Sabaw), Linus Masandag (Asa Ang Mga Salida Sa Leyte?), and the SILAKBO - Baybay Film Organization.
Following the recent success of Leyteño artists in Luzon-centric festivals, including Mga Kwento ng Klima (MKK), Sinag Maynila, and the Montañosa Film Festival, The Sound of K represents the next chapter for local Leyteño artists. This film will focus on a specific experience, the struggle of a young boy in a Philippine provincial setting which the film aims to resonate with universal themes of overcoming disability and social anxiety.
The Sound of K is currently in its essential stage of pre-production. As with many independent regional projects, the film relies on the support of the community to bring its high-fidelity vision to life. You can pledge for the film’s production here: https://forms.gle/QhooNBUe4vxiTQZU8
