Manila, Philippines – From acclaimed veterans to mainstream stars and fearless newcomers, some of Philippines cinema’s most exciting performers are going head to head for Puregold CinePanalo’s top acting prizes.
Ang sabi nga ng mga observers, there will be no easy wins at this year’s Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival.
Acclaimed veterans, established stars and a new generation of performers are going head-to-head in what is shaping up to be one of the festival’s fiercest acting races yet.
Sa livestream ng official Puregold CinePanalo Facebook page, in-announce na ng festival director na si Chris Cahilig ang actors and actresses nominated for the festival’s top performance prizes.
The nominations set up several intriguing battles ahead of the September 30 awards night, with seasoned actors competing against younger performers and emerging talents making their presence felt alongside some of Philippine cinema’s most recognizable names.
Nowhere is the competition more crowded than in the full-length Panalong Aktor Award-winning actor John Arcilla earned a nomination for “Beast,” facing Joross Gamboa for “Wantawsan”; lan 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.”
The Panalong Aktres race, meanwhile, pits Xyriel Manabat of “Stuck on You” against Sassa Gurl of “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo),” setting up a head-to-head battle between two performers coming from markedly different career paths.
The supporting categories are just as competitive, with Rita Daniela, Rochelle Pangilinan, Agot Isidro and Momoko Kobayashi competing for Panalong Pangalawang Aktres, while Paolo O’Hara, Roger Naldo and Zanjoe Marudo are up for Panalong Pangalawang Aktor.
The student shorts competition brings another formidable field, including veteran Soliman Cruz alongside emerging actors from the festival’s 19 student films.
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”
lan 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 – “Wantawsan”
Ruslan Jacob – “Beast”
Zion Cruz – “Apol of My Ai”
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”
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 P250, while PWDs, senior citizens, students, national athletes, and Aling Puring and Puregold Perks cardholders can purchase discounted P200 tickets.
A P2,000 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. JP Ignacio
