“Candé,” Ilonggo filmmaker Prof. Kevin Piamonte’s first full-length feature, had its red carpet screening at SM City Iloilo, Iloilo City on Jan. 15, 2025.
Candé tells the emotional story of Timothy’s return to Iloilo, where he confronts his past and seeks redemption. His story is tied to the devotion of the Ilonggo community to Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles).
JC Santos, the film’s lead star, admitted in an interview with the local media that it was the first time that he cried watching himself on the big screen, praising Piamonte’s writing and direction of the film.
“It was beautiful, it was well-written, and I’m so proud of this film and I’m glad that I got to work [with Piamonte] and I wish to have more,” Santos said.
Along with Santos, the film stars Sunshine Teodoro, Gian Pomperada, Jan Junash Delima, Julian Paul Larroder, Tres Arandela, Rachel Santillan, Laragene Servando-Retazo, and Sharon Idone, with the special participation of Pupa Dadivas.
The film is produced by ERK Film Production, Fiesta Philippines, and Taos Puso Foundation, Inc., together with the Film Development Council of the Philippines and CreatePH Films. Atty. Jobert Peñaflorida and Ms. Rhea Peñaflorida are the executive producers.
Cande is set to have regular screenings in cinemas all over the country in February. The film’s trailer can be found on ERK Film Production’s official Facebook page: https://shorturl.at/tD0q7.
The film seeks to raise funds for both the Archdiocese of Jaro and the Taos Puso Foundation, according to a post from the Archdiocese of Jaro, Commission on Social Communications’ Facebook page. (With sources from ERK Film Production and Archdiocese of Jaro, Commission on Social Communications’ FB page)