Banjo Hinolan Films

28/04/2026

Manokan Country by Banjo Hinolan will be screened on June 7, 2026 (Sunday) as part of the Diwa at Pagdiriwang Special Edition.

Catch it IN PERSON at the Seattle Center Armory – Loft 2. 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, Washington. Admission is FREE!

The Diwa Filipino Film Festival of Seattle, in cooperation with the annual Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival, celebrates the Filipino spirit wherever it resides—featuring films from the Philippines and beyond.

RSVP at: https://bit.ly/420x2FG
For more info, please visit: https://diwafilmfest.wordpress.com/diwa-at-pagdiriwang-2026/

26/04/2026

Bittersweet landscapes: The cinematic journey of Negros Occidental

The culinary landscape, another cornerstone of Bacolod’s bid for UNESCO recognition, is celebrated in works like Banjo Hinolan’s Manokan Country and Hoy! Pili Ka Na, as well as Pau Ortaliz Santos and Nina Aira Villanueva’s Laragway sa Karon. Through these lenses, the steam rising from a plate of Chicken Inasal and the kaleidoscopic colors of the MassKara Festival masks become more than just tourist attractions. They are symbols of a resilient, joyful culture. These films have become favorites for cultural tourists and families, proving that the local flavor has universal appeal.

To gaze upon a map of the Philippines is to witness an archipelago of fragmented stories, a jigsaw puzzle of diverse cultures separated by sea and history. For far too long, the narrative arc of our national cinema has been viewed through a restrictive, Manila-centric lens. This perspective has ofte...

12/04/2026

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.

Wazzup Pilipinas features lifestyle, events, travel, food, tech, advocacy, entertainment and other informative news

11/04/2026

Grateful for the continued support of Bacolod Blogger Sigrid for championing Banjo Hinolan Films and Negrosanon Cinema.

𝗛𝗼𝘆! 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗶 𝗞𝗮 𝗡𝗮!” 𝗪𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 (𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝘆) 𝗮𝘁 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.

29/03/2026

NEGROS PRODUCED ‘HOY! PILI KA NA!’
WINS AT SINAG MAYNILA FILM FESTIVAL

The comedy short film “Hoy! Pili Ka Na!”, directed by Bacolodnon Banjo Hinolan, won the 2nd Best Picture (open shorts category) at the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival March 28, at Gateway Cineplex in Quezon City.

NEGROS PRODUCED ‘HOY! PILI KA NA!’
WINS AT SINAG MAYNILA FILM FESTIVAL

The comedy short film “Hoy! Pili Ka Na!”, directed by Bacolodnon Banjo Hinolan, won the 2nd Best Picture (open shorts category) at the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival March 28, at Gateway Cineplex in 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!” stars Tex Romero and Roger Joshua Venzal, and follows 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 is 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.

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, its press release said.

The Sinag Maynila recognition underscored the growing impact of regional filmmakers in the Philippine independent cinema landscape, bringing locally-produced stories to national audiences.*
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“Hoy! Pili ka na!” director Banjo Hinolan receives the award for 2nd Best Picture (open shorts category) at the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival March 28 in Quezon City.

29/03/2026

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival for honoring “Hoy! Pili Ka Na!” with the 2nd Best Picture Award (Shorts Open Category) during the Awards Night held last March 28, 2026 at Gateway Cineplex, Quezon City.

This recognition means so much to our entire team who poured their passion, creativity, and dedication into bringing this story to life. From our cast and crew to everyone who supported us from Silay City, Negros Occidental—this award is for all of you.

Thank you, Sinag Maynila, for championing Filipino independent cinema and for giving filmmakers like us a platform to share our voices and stories.

Maraming salamat po!

"Using a devised theater approach, this filmmaker veered away from providing the actors a fully written script. Instead, they were given character profiles, motivations, and the story’s emotional trajectory. As a result, the humor you see is not overly manufactured, but rather emerges from genuine reaction and timing. For this director, “comedy is strongest when it feels real.”

For its delightfully sharp wit and deceptively light touch, this film transforms the quiet paralysis of indecision into a richly layered comedic experience. Beneath its playful surface lies a thoughtful meditation on the fear of choosing—proving that stories that appear small can, in truth, hold immense weight. The SINAG AWARD for SECOND BEST SHORT FILM in the OPEN CATEGORY goes to …

FROM SET E, from the City of Smiles, Bacolod City: HOY! PILI KA NA! (INDECISIVE), Screenplay by Banjo Hinolan, Roger Venzal, & Tex Romero | Directed by Banjo Hinolan"

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The nominees for Sinag Maynila 2026 Best Short Film Open Category:

- Az**el (Ang Kabron), directed by Randy Q. Villanueva and Utes Salazar
- Blind Date, directed by Victor Villanueva
- 𝗛𝗼𝘆! 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗶 𝗞𝗮 𝗡𝗮!, 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗷𝗼 𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗻 - 𝟮𝗡𝗗 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧
- 𝗞𝗮𝗼𝗻, 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗶𝘄𝗮𝘁 - 𝟯𝗥𝗗 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧
- Magindara, directed by Ryand Angelo G. Ugalde
- Pagbalik Sa Lawod, directed by Lee Joshua Sardoma and Elaiza Marie Empat
- 𝗣𝗮𝗼𝗻, 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗯 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗱𝗲𝘇 - 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥
- Relyebo, directed by Paul Ocampo Untalan
- Sakaling Malimutan Kita, directed by Ivan Villacorta Gentolizo
- TONTON, directed by Charlene Mead Tupas

29/03/2026

Madamo gid nga salamat, Sine Negrense!

I am truly honored and grateful for your unwavering support. This recognition is not mine alone—it belongs to our entire community of storytellers who continue to believe in the power of Negrense stories.

Thank you for championing regional cinema and for giving filmmakers like us a platform to grow and be heard.

🎉 CONGRATULATIONS, DIREK BANJO! 🎉

The Sine Negrense community proudly congratulates our co-festival director Banjo Hinolan whose film “Hoy! Pili Ka Na!” just won 2nd Best Picture (Open Shorts Category) at the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival 2026 held at Gateway Cineplex, Quezon City.

Originally produced as an entry for the Cine Kahirup: Silay City Film Festival 2025, this win is a huge honor not only for Direk Banjo, but also for Silay City, Negros Occidental, and all regional filmmakers who continue to bring our local stories to the national stage.

Padayon sa pagpanaysayon sang aton mga istorya, Direk Banjo! This recognition inspires us to keep championing Negrense and Filipino voices in cinema.

28/03/2026

LOOK: Sinag Maynila 2026 holds Gabi ng Parangal in Quezon City, Friday

Finalists of the independent film festival are set to be honored during the awards night program, led by festival director Brillante Mendoza and co-founder Wilson Tieng. | via Anna Cerezo, ABS-CBN News

28/03/2026

2nd BEST SHORT FILM (Open Category)

Hoy! Pili Ka na by Banjo Hinolan

28/03/2026

A plaque of appreciation was presented to Banjo Hinolan, director of Hoy! Pili Ka Na! (Short Film), as a finalist in the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival (Short Films - Open Category). The award was given by Mr. Butch Ibañez of Solar Pictures and Sinag Maynila on March 28, 2026, at Gateway Cineplex, Quezon City.