From seasoned veterans to mainstream stars and bold newcomers, some of Philippine cinema’s most exciting performers are going head-to-head for the top acting prizes at this year’s Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival.
Festival director Chris Cahilig revealed the nominees during a livestream on the official Puregold CinePanalo Facebook page, and the lineup already has people talking. The awards night is set for September 30, and the battles look fierce across every category.
The full-length Panalong Aktor race is especially crowded. Award-winning actor John Arcilla is nominated for Beast, going up against Joross Gamboa for Wantawsan, Ian Pangilinan and Khalil Ramos for Patay Gutom, Joao Constancia for Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo), and Perry Dizon and Juan Karlos Labajo for Mono No Aware. That’s a mix of proven heavyweights and rising talent all chasing the same prize.
In the Panalong Aktres category, Xyriel Manabat (Stuck on You) faces off against Sassa Gurl (Multwoh). It’s a striking matchup between two performers coming from very different paths, one a familiar face with years of experience, the other a newer force making a strong statement.
The supporting categories are just as competitive. For Panalong Pangalawang Aktres, Rita Daniela, Rochelle Pangilinan, Agot Isidro, and Momoko Kobayashi are all in the running. On the male side, Paolo O’Hara, Roger Naldo, and Zanjoe Marudo are contending for Panalong Pangalawang Aktor.
Even the student shorts competition is stacked. Veteran Soliman Cruz is nominated alongside emerging actors from the festival’s 19 student films, proving that strong performances are showing up at every level.
This year’s Puregold CinePanalo isn’t just about who walks away with the trophies, it’s about a generation of actors, from legends to first-timers, all stepping up at the same time. September 30 should be a night to remember.
The official acting nominees are:
FULL-LENGTH CATEGORY
PANALONG AKTRES
Xyriel Manabat — “Stuck on You”
Sassa Gurl — “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)”
PANALONG AKTOR
Joross Gamboa — “Wantawsan”
John Arcilla — “Beast”
Ian Pangilinan — “Patay Gutom”
Khalil Ramos — “Patay Gutom”
Joao Constancia — “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)”
Perry Dizon — “Mono No Aware”
Juan Karlos Labajo — “Mono No Aware”
PANALONG CHILD PERFORMER
Zion Cruz — “Apol of My Ai”
Zion Cruz — “Wantawsan”
Ruslan Jacob — “Beast”
PANALONG PANGALAWANG AKTRES
Rita Daniela — “Wantawsan”
Rochelle Pangilinan — “Apol of My Ai”
Agot Isidro — “Patay Gutom”
Momoko Kobayashi — “Mono No Aware”
PANALONG PANGALAWANG AKTOR
Paolo O’Hara — “Mono No Aware”
Roger Naldo — “Stuck on You”
Zanjoe Marudo — “Apol of My Ai”
STUDENT SHORTS CATEGORY
PANALONG AKTRES
Pau Baluyan — “Kun Hain, Bisan Diin.”
Mariella Cuerpo — “Miss Intrams”
Jonalyn Mateo — “Ang Huling Banlaw ni Susan”
Belle Francisco — “Bumtak Sara ti Nuangen”
Kyrie Samodio — “12 Shots”
PANALONG AKTOR
Soliman Cruz — “Nakabinbin”
Arjhay Mangulabnan — “No Mad Is an Island”
Jay Gabriel Cañada — “The Sound of K”
VR Relosa — “Starfish”
André Miguel — “When Heaven Inched Towards Earth”
Chino Alfonso — “Nang Matakasan ang Tagay”
PANALONG CHILD PERFORMER
Van Jordan Gacayan — “Pulis Dunggab”
Don Rishmond Cerbito — “Alumahan”
Zoey Madison Lim — “Limlim”
Kenneth Mendoza — “Teks Battle: Shoot Pati Pato!”
PANALONG PANGALAWANG AKTRES
Nour Hooshmand — “Starfish”
Ma. Christina Simon — “Alumahan”
Angela Salga — “Limlim”
Karla Pambid — “12 Shots”
Mika Hamajo — “Miss Intrams”
Diana Palma — “Miss Intrams”
PANALONG PANGALAWANG AKTOR
Jeremy Mayores — “Alumahan”
Nor Domingo — “12 Shots”
Elj Seth Tababa — “Pulis Dunggab”
Kaleb Ong — “When Heaven Inched Towards Earth”
Alfredo Montano — “Bumtak Sara ti Nuangen”
Vic Romano — “No Mad Is an Island”
The winners will be revealed at the Puregold CinePanalo Awards Night on September 30 at Gateway Cineplex 18.
The 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival runs 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 PWDs, senior citizens, students, national athletes, and Aling Puring and Puregold Perks cardholders can purchase discounted ₱200 tickets.
A ₱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.
The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2026 is sponsored by Alaska, Angel, Argentina,
Ariel, Bingo, Birch Tree Fortified, Bear Brand, C2, Century Tuna, Champion, Chuckie, Coca-Cola, Colgate, Cream Silk, 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.
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