Following a fierce competition that showcased some of the boldest, most imaginative storytelling in recent memory, the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival has officially crowned its champions.
In a awards night filled with gasp-worthy moments, emotional speeches, and well-earned standing ovations, Japan-set drama “Mono No Aware” and student short “Limlim” emerged as the undisputed titans of the evening.
A Historic Milestone: The Evolution of Puregold CinePanalo
To fully appreciate the weight of this year’s victories, it helps to look back at how far the festival has come. Backed by retail giant Puregold Price Club, Inc., the festival was established with a singular, empowering vision: to champion authentic, uplifting, and original Filipino stories by giving visionary filmmakers the financial muscle they need to bring their dream projects to life.
What started as an ambitious platform for local auteurs has quickly matured into one of the country’s most anticipated cinematic traditions. This year marked a massive historical milestone for the festival: the highest production grants in Philippine film festival history. Puregold shelled out unprecedented support—awarding a staggering ₱5 million production grant to each of the 7 shortlisted full-length finalists, alongside massive backing for student shorts and equipment rentals from partners like CMB Film Services. This monumental injection of funds allowed directors to push visual boundaries, hire top-tier casts, and execute grand artistic visions without compromise.
What’s New This Year: Innovations and Scaling Up
The 2026 installment didn’t just break records with funding; it expanded its cultural footprint. This year’s lineup introduced 26 original films, bridging the gap between seasoned industry masters and raw, bleeding-edge student voices.
Furthermore, the festival amplified its accessibility and hybrid engagement. Screenings expanded across major lifestyle hubs including Gateway Cineplex 18, TriNoma, Fairview Terraces, Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, and Market! Market!, running through October 4. With student, senior citizen, PWD, and Aling Puring/Puregold Perks cardholder discounts, alongside a comprehensive ₱2,000 festival pass, CinePanalo successfully drew massive, enthusiastic crowds, proving that modern Filipino audiences are hungry for independent cinema when given accessible avenues to watch it.
Full-Length Dominance: “Mono No Aware” Cleans House
In the full-length category, BC Amparado’s Japan-set drama “Mono No Aware” was far and away the night’s juggernaut. Exploring themes of grief, family, and the impermanence of life through the eyes of a Filipino kodokushi (lonely death) cleaner, the film swept a jaw-dropping nine awards.
Its accolades included the coveted Pinakapanalong Pelikula, Panalo sa International Jury, Panalong Direktor for BC Amparado, and Panalong Aktor for Juan Karlos Labajo. The film’s rich texture was further honored with wins for Momoko Kobayashi (Panalo sa Pangalawang Aktres), Best Ensemble, TM Malones (Cinematography), Edmund Telmo (Editing), and Willie Apa Jr. (Sound Design).
Other heavy hitters included “Apol of my Ai,” “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo),” and “Patay Gutom,” each walking away with four major trophies. Meanwhile, “Stuck on You” secured two wins, notably highlighting Xyriel Manabat’s brilliant comedic and dramatic chops, which earned her the Panalong Aktres title. Zanjoe Marudo also clinched Panalong Pangalawang Aktor for his standout work in Apol of my Ai.
Public Pulse and Notable Crowd Favorites
Festival buzz was palpable weeks leading up to the awards night, and the public pulse heavily favored films that blended genre elements with uniquely Filipino sensibilities.
Crowd favorites quickly made themselves known at the box office and through social media discourse. Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo), starring Sassa Gurl and Joao Constancia, captured public hearts—and the Panalo sa mga Manonood (Audience Choice) award—with its clever, witty blend of modern vertical-series aesthetics and ghostly romance. Similarly, the dark comedy-drama Patay Gutom hit close to home for many, resonating deeply through its inventive exploration of grief, family secrets, and shut-in culture.
The Complete List of 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Winners
FULL-LENGTH CATEGORY
- Pinakapanalong Pelikula: “Mono No Aware”
- Panalo sa International Jury: “Mono No Aware”
- Panalong Karangalan mula sa Hurado: “Apol of my Ai”
- Puregold Always Panalo Film: “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)” & “Patay Gutom”
- Panalong Direktor: BC Amparado — “Mono No Aware”
- Panalong Aktor: Juan Karlos Labajo — “Mono No Aware”
- Panalong Aktres: Xyriel Manabat — “Stuck on You”
- Panalong Pangalawang Aktor: Zanjoe Marudo — “Apol of My Ai”
- Panalong Pangalawang Aktres: Momoko Kobayashi — “Mono No Aware”
- Best Ensemble: “Mono No Aware”
- Panalong Child Performer: Zion Cruz — “Apol of My Ai”
- Panalo sa mga Manonood (Audience Choice): “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)”
- Panalong Kwento: Carl Joseph E. Papa & Yvonne Garcia — “Patay Gutom”
- Panalo sa Cinematography: TM Malones — “Mono No Aware”
- Panalo sa Production Design: Rodrigo Ricio — “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)”
- Panalo sa Musical Scoring: Emerzon Texon — “Apol of My Ai”
- Panalo sa Visual Effects: “Patay Gutom” Animation Team
- Panalo sa Editing: Edmund Telmo — “Mono No Aware”
- Panalo sa Sound Design: Willie Apa Jr. — “Mono No Aware”
- Panalong Awitin: “Reyna ng Quezon City” by Juana — “Stuck on You”
- Panalong Poster: Denver Balbaboco — “Patay Gutom”
- Pinakapanalong Promosyon ng Pelikula: “When Heaven Inched Towards Earth”
- Panalo sa Brand Intrusion: “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)”
STUDENT SHORTS CATEGORY
- Pinakapanalong Maikling Pelikula: “Limlim” (Directed by Samantha Palaje)
- Panalo sa International Jury: “Alumahan”
- Panalo sa Hurado: “Kun Hain, Bisan Diin.”
- Puregold Always Panalo Film: “Miss Intrams” & “Pulis Dunggab”
- Panalong Direktor (Tie): Jomarie Corro-Reyes (“Kun Hain, Bisan Diin.”) & Samantha Palaje (“Limlim”)
- Panalong Aktor: Jay Gabriel Cañada — “The Sound of K”
- Panalong Aktres: Jonalyn Mateo — “Ang Huling Banlaw ni Susan”
- Panalong Pangalawang Aktor: Nor Domingo — “12 Shots”
- Panalong Pangalawang Aktres: Nour Hooshmand — “Starfish”
- Panalong Child Performer: Zoey Madison Lim — “Limlim”
- Panalo sa mga Manonood: “Ang Huling Banlaw ni Susan”
- Panalong Kwento: Jomarie Corro-Reyes & William Roberts — “Kun Hain, Bisan Diin.”
- Panalo sa Cinematography: Geia de Vera — “Limlim”
- Panalo sa Production Design: Jim Flores, Minnesota Flores, & Sol Samodio — “12 Shots”
- Panalo sa Musical Scoring: Lenard Kent Villanueva — “Miss Intrams”
- Panalo sa Visual Effects: Junelle Bacho Tecson & Luis Martin Mañalac — “Starfish”
- Panalo sa Editing: Brian Spencer Reyes — “Kun Hain, Bisan Diin.”
- Panalo sa Sound Design: Hannah Gagalac — “Bumtak Sara ti Nuangen”
- Panalong Awitin: “Game Nal” by Kier Mosquito, Edlyn Icao, & John Dave Brion — “Teks Battle: Shoot Pati Pato!”
- Panalong Poster (Tie): Keith Ian Serfino (“Alumahan”) & Eidan Maninang (“Nang Matakasan ang Tagay”)
- Panalo sa Brand Intrusion: “Alumahan”
Looking Forward
As festival chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad aptly noted during the ceremonies, “Each year, we gather to honor the brave artistry and passion of Filipino filmmakers who continue to make a statement in Philippine cinema. 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.”
With the festival running until October 4, moviegoers still have a narrow window to catch these award-winning masterpieces on the big screen. Grab your festival passes, support local storytelling, and witness firsthand why Puregold CinePanalo has become the gold standard for independent film development in the country!
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