 |
| (Image Source: Corner Magazine PH/Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival) |
The dust has settled and the victors stand triumphant. At the end of the most competitive Puregold CinePanalo awards season ever, “Mono No Aware” and “Limlim” took home the top prizes in their respective categories. The winners were announced last September 30, 2026 at Gateway Cineplex 18.
In the full-length category, the Japan-set drama “Mono No Aware” was far and away the most awarded film. The film landed nine awards including Pinakapanalong Pelikula, Panalo sa International Jury, Panalong Direktor for BC Amparado, Panalong Aktor for Juan Karlos Labajo, Panalong Pangalawang Aktres for Momoko Kobayashi, Best Ensemble, Panalo sa Cinematography for TM Malones, Panalo sa Editing for Edmund Telmo, and Panalo sa Sound Design for Willie Apa Jr. “Apol of my Ai”, “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)”, and “Patay Gutom” took home four awards each while “Stuck on You” left with two. Notable wins include Xyriel Manabat taking home Panalong Aktres for her comedic turn in “Stuck on You”, young Zion Cruz of “Apol of my Ai” taking home the Panalong Child Performer award, and Zanjoe Marudo winning the Panalong Pangalawang Aktor award. In the student shorts category, “Limlim” and “Kun Hain, Bisan Diin.” found themselves in a neck-and-neck race best highlighted when Samantha Palaje and Jomarie Corro-Reyes respectively took home Panalong Direktor in a tie for the award. Both films ended the night with four awards each with “Limlim” taking home the top honor of Pinkapanalong Maikling Pelikula”. Here is the 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”
 |
 |
 |
| (Image Source: Corner Magazine PH/Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival) |
Puregold CinePanalo festival chair and Puregold Price Club Inc. Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad spoke on the importance of the occasion, stating, “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.” On the other hand, Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival garnered a strong first-week turnout where crowds have been pouring into participating cinemas to catch the latest batch of original Filipino films produced for Puregold CinePanalo with multiple screenings selling out within the festival’s first few days. And at a time when the state of Philippine cinema has been the subject of intense discussion, the sight of audiences lining up for locally made films is sending a clear message: Filipino moviegoers are still willing to show up for Filipino stories.
 |
 |
 |
| (Image Source: Starmometer/Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival) |
“This year, Pinoy cinema has been the subject of much debate and discourse. However, the success of our first day of screenings makes things incredibly clear: there remains a strong appetite for Filipino stories told by Filipino voices. Puregold CinePanalo has always been proud to uplift the stories of our local artists,” said Puregold CinePanalo Festival Director Chris Cahilig. The excitement was already visible even before the first film rolled. Long lines were reported at cinemas a full day before screenings began as fans headed to their cinemas of choice to secure tickets in advance. Cinephiles also rushed to Gateway Cineplex 18 and TriNoma to claim festival passes giving them access to the lineup of full-length films and student short-film sets. By opening day, several screenings were already sold out. Among the films drawing packed houses were coming-of-age story “Apol of My Ai”, supernatural queer films “Patay Gutom” and “Multwoh (Patay na Patay sa ’Yo)”, and romantic comedy “Stuck on You” which puts a deadly twist on the genre. The rush has spilled eventually onto social media where moviegoers have begun posting updates about sold-out screenings to help fellow festivalgoers plan ahead and find available schedules. And the demand has not slowed down.as multiple screenings for the coming weekend have already sold out with seats for all seven Puregold CinePanalo full-length films particularly in demand during late-afternoon and evening schedules. Beyond the movies themselves, festivalgoers have also been walking away with souvenirs and giveaways including grocery bags, custom totes, pins and personalized souvenir receipts. “Puregold CinePanalo is our treat to both artists and fans of cinema. While we continue to uplift the stories of local filmmakers, we also strive to create memorable experiences for those who come to support these films. Attendees will leave with great stories in their hearts and minds, along with giveaways to serve as mementos of the experience,” said Cahilig.
 |
 |
 |
| (Image Source: Starmometer/Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival) |
The 2026 Puregold CinePanalo ran last September 23-October 4, 2026 at Gateway Cineplex 18, TriNoma, Fairview Terraces, Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala Malls Manila Bay and Market! Market! The 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 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.
