Tim Rone Villanueva makes his highly anticipated feature-length directorial debut with Child No. 82 (Son of Boy Kana), an official entry in the Full-Length Category of the 2025 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, happening from October 3 to 12, 2025. The film will be screened at the Red Carpet Cinemas in Shangri-La Plaza, Ayala Malls Cinemas, and Gateway Cineplex.
Set during the wake of Maximo “Boy Kana” Maniego Sr., the biggest action-fantasy movie star in Philippine cinema, the story follows Max, a 17-year-old high school student who is rumored to be one of Boy Kana’s illegitimate children. To see his late father one last time, Max must prove that he is the 82nd child before the public viewing hours end. Success would not only give him a chance to say goodbye but also claim his identity, inheritance, and showbiz dreams while preparing to support his pregnant teenage girlfriend and their unborn child. As he navigates long lines of fans and colorful characters from Boy Kana’s life, Max faces the ultimate question: will he make it to the casket before time runs out?
Child No. 82 stars JM Ibarra, Rochelle Pangilinan-Solinap, Vhong Navarro, Irma Adlawan, Inah Evans, Zairene Fernandez, Dexter Doria, and Kai Montinola. The film is directed, written, and executive produced by Tim Rone Villanueva, with additional screenplay by Herlyn Alegre and cinematography by Rap Ramirez.
Villanueva, an independent writer, director, and producer from Kawit, Cavite, is best known for his award-winning 2017 short film Santa Nena! and other acclaimed works including How to Dress a Mother-naked? (2018), My Mother’s Bicycle (2021), The Gossips of Cicadidae (2021), #bagets (2023), and The Longer I Wait (2024). His 10-minute theater play Mga Nakasusuyang Putahe was staged in the 2017 Short + Sweet Theatre Festival Manila and Shorts & Briefs 9 Theater Festival, earning recognition from Rappler as one of the Best Filipino Theater Plays of 2023.
Currently a part-time faculty member at St. Dominic College of Asia under the Communication and Multimedia Arts Program, Villanueva is also an active member of the North Luzon Cinema Guild, supporting filmmakers, storytellers, cultural workers, and human rights advocates across the regions of the Philippines.
With its mix of family drama, satire, and commentary on celebrity culture, Child No. 82 promises a heartfelt, thought-provoking, and distinctly Filipino coming-of-age story for this year’s Cinemalaya audience.
Other full length entries include Bloom Where You Are Planted by Noni Abao, Cinemartyrs by Sari Dalena, Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan by Dustin Celestino, Padamlágan by Jenn Romano, Paglilitis by Cheska Marfori and Raymund Barcelon, Open Endings by Nigel Santos and Keavy Vicente, Republika ng Pipolipinas by Renei Dimla, Raging by Ryan Machado, and Warla by Kevin Alambra.
Meanwhile, the short film competition features entries such as Ascension from the Office Cubicle by Hannah Silvestre, Figat by Handiong Kapuno, Hasang by Daniel de la Cruz, I’m Best Left Inside My Head by Elian Idioma, Kay Basta Angkarabo Yay Bagay Ibat ha Langit by Marie Estela Paiso, Kung Tugnaw ang Kaidalman sang Lawod by Seth Andrew Blanca, Please Keep This Copy by Miguel Lorenzo Peralta, Radikals by Arvin Belarmino, The Next 24 Hours by Carl Joseph Papa, and Water Sports by Whammy Alcazaren.
