A night of bold stories, breakout performances, and fresh Filipino voices culminates in a celebration of cinema at the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2026 Awards Night.
The cameras flashed, the red carpet came alive, and Filipino cinema took its well-deserved moment in the spotlight.
After a festival season filled with compelling stories, daring creative choices, memorable performances, and emerging filmmaking voices, the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2026 culminated in a vibrant Awards Night that celebrated the people and films shaping the next chapter of Philippine cinema.
When the final awards were handed out, two films emerged as the evening’s biggest winners: “Mono No Aware” in the full-length category and “Limlim” in the student shorts competition.
More than simply taking home trophies, both films reflected what CinePanalo has championed from the beginning—stories with heart, distinct voices, and the courage to look at familiar experiences from unexpected perspectives.
A sweeping night for “Mono No Aware”
Set against the evocative backdrop of Japan, “Mono No Aware” dominated the full-length competition, collecting an impressive nine awards throughout the evening.
The film was named Pinakapanalong Pelikula, while director BC Amparado took home Panalong Direktor and lead actor Juan Karlos Labajo was recognized as Panalong Aktor.
The film’s winning streak continued with Momoko Kobayashi receiving Panalong Pangalawang Aktres, alongside honors for Best Ensemble, Cinematography for TM Malones, Editing for Edmund Telmo, Sound Design for Willie Apa Jr., and the Panalo sa International Jury award.
The haul firmly established “Mono No Aware” as the night’s most decorated full-length film.
But the evening also belonged to a new generation of performers.
Xyriel Manabat earned Panalong Aktres for her comedic performance in “Stuck on You,” while young Zion Cruz captured the Panalong Child Performer award for “Apol of My Ai.” Zanjoe Marudo, meanwhile, was recognized as Panalong Pangalawang Aktor for the same film.
“Apol of My Ai,” “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo),” and “Patay Gutom” each finished the night with four awards, while “Stuck on You” secured two.
“Limlim” leads a new generation
If “Mono No Aware” represented the strength of the full-length competition, “Limlim” became one of the clearest statements from the student shorts category.
The film finished the evening with four awards, including the coveted Pinakapanalong Maikling Pelikula honor.
The competition was particularly tight between “Limlim” and “Kun Hain, Bisan Diin.”, with both films taking home four awards.
Adding to the drama was a tie for Panalong Director, with Samantha Palaje winning for “Limlim” and Jomarie Corro-Reyes taking the same honor for “Kun Hain, Bisan Diin.”
The student shorts category also showcased an exciting range of emerging talent, from performances and cinematography to editing, sound, production design, and storytelling.
It was a fitting reminder that the future of Philippine cinema is already creating its own spotlight.
More than an awards night
For Puregold CinePanalo, the Awards Night is not simply about counting trophies. It is a celebration of the imagination, persistence, and creative courage behind every film.
Festival chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad underscored that mission, emphasizing the importance of recognizing Filipino filmmakers who continue to push boundaries and bring new perspectives to audiences.
“Each year, we gather to honor the brave artistry, and passion of Filipino filmmakers who continue to make a statement in Philippine cinema,” she said. “We proudly celebrate their achievements and we will continue to push this new voice and new perspective that move, inspire, and resonate with our panalo cinema audience.”
And perhaps that is what makes CinePanalo particularly exciting: it brings established names and emerging filmmakers into the same cinematic conversation.
From full-length features to student shorts, from established stars to young performers, the festival creates a space where stories are given the opportunity to be seen—and where audiences get to discover what could be the next big voice in Philippine film.
The cinema experience continues
While the trophies have been handed out, the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2026 is far from over.
Film lovers can still catch the festival until October 4 at Gateway Cineplex 18, TriNoma, Fairview Terraces, Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, and Market! Market!
Regular tickets are priced at ₱250, while discounted ₱200 tickets are available for PWDs, senior citizens, students, national athletes, and Aling Puring and Puregold Perks cardholders.
For serious cinephiles who want the complete experience, the ₱2,000 festival pass provides access to all seven full-length films and four sets featuring the festival’s 19 student shorts. Festival passes are available at Gateway Cineplex 18 and TriNoma.
Because while awards nights celebrate the winners, the real victory of a film festival is giving audiences more stories to discover.
And this year, CinePanalo has certainly delivered plenty.
Complete List of 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Award Winners
PINAKAPANALONG PELIKULA
Full-Length: “Mono No Aware”
Student Shorts: “Limlim”
PANALONG KARANGALAN MULA SA HURADO
Full-Length: “Apol of My Ai”
Student Shorts: “Kun Hain, Bisan Diin.”
PUREGOLD ALWAYS PANALO FILM
Full-Length: “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)” & “Patay Gutom (Dead Hungry)”
Student Shorts: “Miss Intrams” & “Pulis Dunggab”
PANALO SA INTERNATIONAL JURY
Full-Length: “Mono No Aware”
Student Shorts: “Alumahan”
PANALONG DIRECTOR
Full-Length: BC Amparado — “Mono No Aware”
Student Shorts: Jomarie Corro-Reyes — “Kun Hain, Bisan Diin.” & Samantha Palaje — “Limlim”
PINAKA PANALONG MAIKLING PELIKULA — PANORAMA SECTION
“The Other Side of Reality” — Zig Dulay
PANALONG AKTRESS
Full-Length: Xyriel Manabat — “Stuck on You”
Student Shorts: Jonalyn Mateo — “Ang Huling Banlaw ni Susan”
PANALONG CHILD PERFORMER
Full-Length: Zion Cruz — “Apol of My Ai”
Student Shorts: Zoey Madison Lim — “Limlim”
PANALONG AKTOR
Full-Length: Juan Karlos Labajo — “Mono No Aware”
Student Shorts: Jay Gabriel Cañada — “The Sound of K”
PANALONG PANGALAWANG AKTRESS
Full-Length: Momoko Kobayashi — “Mono No Aware”
Student Shorts: Nour Hooshmand — “Starfish”
PANALONG PANGALAWANG AKTOR
Full-Length: Zanjoe Marudo — “Apol of My Ai”
Student Shorts: Nor Domingo — “12 Shots”
BEST ENSEMBLE
“Mono No Aware”
PANALO SA MGA MANONOOD
Full-Length: “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)”
Student Shorts: “Ang Huling Banlaw ni Susan”
PANALONG KWENTO
Full-Length: Carl Joseph E. Papa, Yvonne Garcia — “Patay Gutom”
Student Shorts: Jomarie Corro-Reyes, William Roberts — “Kun Hain, Bisan Diin.”
PANALO SA CINEMATOGRAPHY
Full-Length: TM Malones — “Mono No Aware”
Student Shorts: Geia de Vera — “Limlim”
PANALO SA PRODUCTION DESIGN
Full-Length: Rodrigo Ricio — “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)”
Student Shorts: Jim Flores, Minnesota Flores, Sol Samodio — “12 Shots”
PANALO SA MUSICAL SCORING
Full-Length: Emerzon Texon — “Apol of My Ai”
Student Shorts: Lenard Kent Villanueva — “Miss Intrams”
PANALO SA VISUAL EFFECTS
Full-Length: “Patay Gutom” Animation Team
Student Shorts: Junelle Bacho Tecson, Luis Martin Mañalac — “Starfish”
PANALO SA EDITING
Full-Length: Edmund Telmo — “Mono No Aware”
Student Shorts: Brian Spencer Reyes — “Kun Hain, Bisan Diin.”
PANALO SA SOUND DESIGN
Full-Length: Willie Apa Jr. — “Mono No Aware”
Student Shorts: Hannah Gagalac — “Bumtak Sara ti Nuangen”
PANALONG AWITIN
Full-Length: “Reyna ng Quezon City” by Juana — “Stuck on You”
Student Shorts: “Game Na!” by Kier Mosquito, Edlyn Icao, John Dave Brion — “Teks Battle: Shoot Pati Pato!”
PANALONG POSTER
Full-Length: Denver Balbaboco — “Patay Gutom”
Student Shorts: Keith Ian Serfino — “Alumahan” & Eidan Maninang — “Nang Matakasan ang Tagay”
PINAKAPANALONG PROMOSYON NG PELIKULA
“When Heaven Inched Towards Earth”
PANALO SA BRAND INTRUSION
Full-Length: “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)”
Student Shorts: “Alumahan”
The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2026 is supported by Alaska, Angel, Argentina, Ariel, Bingo, Birch Tree Fortified, Bear Brand, C2, Century Tuna, Champion, Chuckie, Coca-Cola, Colgate, Creamsilk, Datu Puti, Downy, GoodNom Fresh, Great Taste, Del Monte, Jack’N Jill, Knorr, Lucky Me!, Maggi, Magnolia Real Mayonnaise, Milo, Monde, MY San, Nestea, Nissin, Nivea, Palmolive Naturals, Pantene, Purefoods, Rebisco, Royal, Safeguard, Sprite, Surf, Wilkins and Zonrox.
