“Hoy! Pili Ka Na!” Won 2nd Best Picture (Open Shorts Category) at Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival 2026

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Hoy! Pili ka na! director Banjo Hinolan receives the award for 2nd Best Picture (Open Shorts Category) at the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival 2026.

The comedy short film “Hoy! Pili Ka Na!”, directed by Banjo Hinolan, won the 2nd Best Picture (Open Shorts Category) at the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival 2026, held on March 28, 2026, at Gateway Cineplex, Quezon City.

Originally produced as an entry to the Cine Kahirup: Silay City Film Festival 2025, the film continued its festival journey with national recognition, highlighting regional storytelling on a larger cinematic stage.

“Hoy! Pili Ka Na!” starred Tex Romero and Roger Joshua Venzal, and followed the story of Junjun, a soft-spoken and indecisive young man caught in a hilariously prolonged moment of choosing among various kakanin (Filipino rice delicacies). Opposite him was Tiya’y Clara, a sharp-tongued vendor whose patience slowly unraveled as the situation dragged on—turning a simple transaction into a comedic clash of personalities.

Shot in Silay City, Negros Occidental, the film was notable for its devised theater approach, where scenes were developed through live collaboration rather than a fully scripted format. Director Banjo Hinolan provided character outlines and narrative flow, while dialogue was crafted spontaneously just before filming, resulting in a natural, improvised energy that captured authentic local humor and interaction.

Beyond its comedic premise, the film also served as a tribute to Silay City’s rich culinary and cultural heritage, using kakanin as both a narrative device and a symbol of Filipino identity—representing patience, nostalgia, and everyday decision-making.

The recognition at Sinag Maynila underscored the growing impact of regional filmmakers in the Philippine independent cinema landscape, bringing locally produced stories to national audiences.