Khalil Ramos chases his next best role in ‘Patay Gutom’

After his CinePanalo win for “Olsen’s Day,” Khalil Ramos dives into a bold new film, and refuses to get comfortable.

For Khalil Ramos, awards are nice, but they’re not something to sit on.

Fresh off his Best Actor win at the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2025 for “Olsen’s Day,” the actor is back on set for another CinePanalo entry, “Patay Gutom.” And if there’s one thing he’s carrying into this new project, it’s not the trophy, it’s the pressure.

“Of course,” he admitted when asked if expectations weigh on him. “I’m a believer that you’re only as good as your last work,”  he told radar Entertainment during a recent set visit.

It’s a mindset that keeps him moving forward, and, more importantly, keeps him hungry.

No comfort zones here

On the first day of shooting “Patay Gutom,” Ramos was equal parts excited and curious. The film, directed by Carl Papa and co-helmed by co-star Ian Pangilinan, marks his return to the CinePanalo fold. This time, in a project that’s anything but familiar.

“Without revealing much, this is a very new kind of project for me,” he said. “I’m very excited to be working with Direk Carl… finally, again after eight years from ‘Paglisan.’”

But don’t expect a simple reunion project. “Patay Gutom” pushes Ramos into uncharted territory, blending live action with animation—a first in his career.

“And this is very different because it’s a mix of live action and animation,” he shared. “So, this is a first for me in any kind of project.”

Acting, with outlines

Preparing for the role meant more than just emotional groundwork. Ramos had to rethink his process entirely, down to the technicalities of performance. “Of course, getting to know your material and building a relationship with the cast,” he said of his usual prep. “They also gave me reference films to draw inspiration from.”

But the real adjustment came in understanding the mechanics of animation. “I had to familiarize myself with the limitations of working technically as an animation,” he explained, pointing to a subtle but telling detail in his costume. “If you notice, my shirt has an outline. This is for the purpose of animation.”

It’s the kind of detail that forces an actor to recalibrate, not just how he feels a scene, but how he physically exists in it. “It’s very new, very refreshing for me,” he added.

The hunger that stays

If there’s a throughline in Ramos’ career right now, it’s this: he refuses to plateau.

Winning Best Actor could have easily cemented his place as one of his generation’s most reliable performers. Instead, he treats it as a checkpoint, never the destination.

“As an actor, I personally strive to become better each time,” he said. “To outdo each role and each project that I do.”

And just in case that wasn’t clear enough, he summed it up in four simple words: “I want to be better.”

With “Patay Gutom” shaping up to be one of the more experimental entries in the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2026, Ramos’ approach feels perfectly matched to the material—restless, curious, and just a little bit daring.

The Top 7 full-length CinePanalo films were announced on October 25, 2025. Each received a production grant of P5 million. The festival is scheduled to run from the end of September to October.

 

 

I had to familiarize myself with the limitations of working technically as an animation… If you notice, my shirt has an outline. This is for the purpose of animation.

Khalil Ramos

 

 

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