Why 'Selda Tres' is expected to make waves in Sinag Maynila 2025

From left: GB Sampedro, Cesar Montano, Carla Abellana and JM de Guzman

Action-drama movie "Selda 3" is one of the strongest finalists in Sinag Maynila 2025 that's believed by many to win big both in the box-office and on awards night.

That's because it stars bankable and multi-awarded actors JM de Guzman, Carla Abellana and Cesar Montano, who has not been seen on the silver screen for sone time now, thus, the heightened anticipation.

At a recent press conference, they admitted that the ensemble was the most compelling reason they agreed to do the project.

“Selda Tres” is a film about the search for justice in a world tainted by injustice.  It exposes a system plagued by corruption, while also telling a story of family, love, and sacrifice.

In the movie, a law firm messenger was briefly imprisoned due to mistaken identity and became close friends with three prisoners who were cursed with misfortune.  After being acquitted, he made it his mission to help the three achieve the justice and freedom they longed for.

The movie marks the comeback of director GB Sampedro to joining film festivals. In the past, he gained recognition with his film debut “Astig” (2009), which won Best Director at Cinemalaya and a Special Mention in Pusan. It also earned international acclaim at festivals in Rome, Geneva, Osaka, and Barcelona.

Sampedro is so invested in the movie that he is also one of the executive producers, and wrote the lyrics to the movie theme song. 

We asked him if he ever thought "Selda Tres" would be shown at a time when people are looking for justice in real life more than ever. He didn't see it coming though he knew that the message of the movie would always be timely whenever it is shown.

Bankrolled by Five 2 Seven Entertainment Production, "Selda Tres" also stars Aaron Villaflor, Kier Legaspi, Victor Neri, Isay Alvarez, Perla Bautista, Jeffrey Tam, Tanjo Villoso, and Johnny Revilla.

Here is the screening schedule of "Selda Tres":

SEPT 24, WED 

12:30 PM -- SM Fairview

8:00 PM -- Gateway C17

SEPT 25, THUR 

12:30 PM – Robinsons Manila

3:00 PM -- Trinoma

5:30 PM – Market Market

8:00 PM – SM Mall of Asia

SEPT 26, FRI 

12:30 PM -- Gateway C17

3:00 PM – Robinsons Antipolo

5:30 PM -- SM Fairview

7:00 PM – Gateway C18 (Gala Screening)

SEPT 27, SAT

12:30 PM -- Trinoma

3:00 PM -- SM Mall of Asia

8:00 PM – SM Fairview

SEPT 28, SUN

12:30 PM – Market Market

3:00 PM -- Gateway C17

5:30 PM – Robinsons Manila

8:00 PM – Robinsons Antipolo

SEPT 29, MON

5:30 PM – SM Mall of Asia

SEPT 30, TUE

12:30 PM -- Gateway C17

5:30 PM – Robinsons Antipolo

8:00 PM -- Trinoma

Sinag Maynila Film Festival runs from Sept. 24 to 30. Now on its 7th edition, the festival is founded by Wilson Tieng, with Brillante Mendoza as festival director.

Here is the highlight of "Selda Tres" press conference:

Giuseppe Bede Magno Sampedro, or GB, is a multi-awarded Filipino director whose work spans film, television, concerts, and live events. He gained recognition with his debut film Astig (2009), which won Best Director at Cinemalaya and a Special Mention in Pusan. It also earned international acclaim at festivals in Rome, Geneva, Osaka, and Barcelona. He went on to direct Separados, Mang Kepweng Returns, Love is Love, and Selda