"Candè" [2025]

NeonLights
Sep 27, 2025
6 min read

Updated: Dec 14, 2025

(a full-length featured film of Sinag Maynila 2025)

Film

JC Santos, Sunshine Teodoro, and

Gian Pomperada

Written & Directed by: Kevin Pison Piamonte

ERK Film Production

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RATING: ⭐⭐⭐.5 / 5

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NO SPOILERS

INITIAL THOUGHTS:

Fresh from his recent film 100 Awit Para Kay Stella, JC Santos once again takes center stage—this time in the independent film Candè, one of the selected full-length entries for this year’s Sinag Maynila 2025.

Casting JC Santos as the lead was a smart move. With his artistry and proven dedication to his craft—from theater to independent films, I already had an idea of what he could bring to the role. The moment I learned about his involvement in Candè, I knew I had to see it.

Sinag Maynila by the way is a film festival dedicated to supporting local independent cinema. As an avid fan of Filipino films, I find that watching indie projects always refreshes my perspective as an audience member. They introduce me to worlds created by passionate storytellers who make films not for fame or money, but for the pure desire to tell stories. I deeply respect the people behind these projects, knowing the sacrifices they endure just to bring their visions to life. We often hear stories of filmmakers shelling out their own money to complete production, so simply supporting them by watching their films already feels like a meaningful way to honor their hard work.

Whenever I watch movies, I try not to set high expectations. I treat every film as a clean slate, avoiding comparisons to the actors’ previous works. That was the same mindset I carried as I walked into the cinema. Of course, I had a few questions in mind, but none of them affected how I experienced the film once I left the theater.

SYNOPSIS:

Director's Statement: "Everybody loves a childhood story"

“Candè” a deeply personal film about friendship, memory, and the quiet miracles of everyday life. It is about how I partly spent my childhood amidst the vibrant fiesta of our hometown.

Set in Iloilo and New York, “Candè” follows a Filipino chef who returns home and is confronted by grief, guilt, and the ghosts of his childhood.

The story reflects on how relationships are formed in our youth told through the lens of food, family, and devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (whom the boys affectionately call “Candè”).

“Candè” is a tribute to the people we leave behind and those who also wait for us. I hope this film reminds audiences that while some losses are permanent, healing and forgiveness remain possible when we go back home with open hearts.

STORY:

I want to preface this by saying that what I truly love about independent films is the rawness and authenticity in how the actors portray their characters. Without the glitz and glamor of expensive lights, equipment, and sound design, what we get is the most intimate form of acting—an honest, vulnerable personification of each character.

That said, I have to emphasize how fantastic the story was. While it’s true that the core theme—finding friendship despite differences in social status—is not entirely new, what sets this film apart is how the director treated the material with nostalgia, simplicity, and love. The story is set in Jaro, Iloilo, which also a good opportunity to learn more about the culture of the place and the people of that province. It also happens to be that the director is also an Ilonggo. Knowing that, it’s easy to sense the personal attachment and sincerity embedded in the film.

At its heart, the story follows one man’s journey back home, burdened by guilt and unforgiveness. As the narrative unfolds, you realize that no matter how much time passes, true healing will always be out of reach until we confront our inner battles.

I also appreciated how the film transitioned seamlessly between past and present. The storytelling never felt scattered; instead, every event tied together cohesively. The performances of the child actors, in particular, added a touching layer of innocence and depth that elevated the film’s emotional impact.

The setting during the Feast of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (hence the title “Candè”) added yet another dimension. It served as a cultural and spiritual thread that bound the characters and their stories together, making the film feel both grounded and universally resonant.

CHARACTERS:

I truly admire how well the entire cast worked together. Even the minor characters had their moments to shine, each contributing something meaningful to the story. Everyone delivered what was expected of them, which is already a big plus. Of course, you can’t expect a Piolo Pascual level of acting in an independent film, but that’s not the point. Despite not being household names, the actors conveyed the right emotions with sincerity. I especially commend the young actors—Gian Pomperada as the young Timothy and Jan Junash Delima as the young Boyet. Their performances felt genuine, perfectly capturing the innocence and authenticity of growing up in the province.

Sunshine Teodoro, whom I remember from "Extra" with Vilma Santos and "Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 3: The Real Untold Story of Josephine Bracken", also delivered a convincing performance. Her role as the mother of Boyet and Dondon was grounded and believable. What made it even more touching was knowing that this role resonated with her personally—her own mother was a deeply religious woman, and the Bishop of Jaro was a family friend. That connection added to the credibility of her character.

And then, of course, there’s JC Santos. What more can I say? The fact that he took the time to study and learn the Ilonggo language speaks volumes about his commitment to the role. His respect for the culture and setting was evident in every scene. Interestingly, his character—the older Timothy—doesn’t appear on screen for an extended time. Yet when the story reached its climax, the weight of his guilt and pain came crashing down. His performance in those final moments was raw, heartbreaking, and worth every second of buildup. You could see the shadows of his childhood carried into adulthood, and that, to me, was the mark of a truly powerful performance.

CINEMATOGRAPHY:

Since this is an independent film, I wasn’t really expecting sweeping wide shots of every location where the story takes place. But despite those limitations, I still felt completely immersed in their world. Even without the luxury of a big budget or high-end resources, the film excelled in its simplicity. Sometimes, less really is more—and that worked beautifully here.

TECHNICAL:

If there’s one criticism I can share, it’s about the background music used during the more “playful” scenes. Personally, I found it a bit distracting. Of course, that’s just my personal preference, and it didn’t take away from my overall experience of the film. Everything else technically served its purpose and supported the storytelling well.

LESSON:

Time and time again, we’re reminded that true happiness and peace can never be achieved unless we face our past mistakes and guilt head-on. We can try to ignore them, avoid them, or distract ourselves with life, but deep inside there will always be an emptiness that lingers.

What I took from this film is the importance of not only seeking forgiveness from others but also learning to forgive ourselves. The past cannot be changed, and regrets will always exist, but it’s our choice whether we let them define us or move forward with healing. That, to me, is the heart of Candè.

CONCLUSION:

Watching Candè made me reflect on myself as a regular audience of Filipino mainstream films. It made me ask: do I enjoy certain movies simply because of their grand production value, their star-studded casts, or the cinematic wide shots that only expensive equipment can capture?

This film reminded me that you don’t need any of those things to create something meaningful. A great film doesn’t rely on spectacle, it thrives on its core ingredients: a good story, passionate actors, and talented people working behind the scenes.

I also believe there are still countless stories waiting to be told, especially from our fellow Filipinos in the provinces whose lives may seem different from ours. But once their voices are heard and their stories shared, we begin to realize that we are not so different after all.

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