The Many Faces of Puregold CinePanalo 2026
From familiar names to emerging ones, this year’s Puregold CinePanalo brings together a lineup of actors making their mark across stories of love, struggle, identity, and everyday Filipino life.
Words Mariz Shane Linsangan
Art by Hiro Odamaki
September 30, 2026
Art by Hiro Odamaki | Photos courtesy of Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival
A film can stay with its audience for many reasons. Sometimes, it is the story. Sometimes, it’s a specific scene, or the actor’s performance that makes it impossible to forget.
This year, Puregold CinePanalo brings together a mix of veteran actors, established names, and emerging performers competing across its acting categories. With the festival’s awards night just around the corner, the spotlight is now on the performances that stood out among this year’s films.
Festival Director Chris Cahilig recently announced the acting nominees through the official Puregold CinePanalo Facebook livestream.
Familiar Names, New Faces
For the full-length films, the Panalong Aktor category brings together John Arcilla for Beast, 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.
The Panalong Aktres category features Xyriel Manabat for Stuck on You and Sassa Gurl for Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo).
The supporting acting categories add another mix of familiar and emerging talent. Rita Daniela, Rochelle Pangilinan, Agot Isidro, and Momoko Kobayashi are nominated for Panalong Pangalawang Aktres, while Paolo O’Hara, Roger Naldo, and Zanjoe Marudo compete for Panalong Pangalawang Aktor.
The Next Generation Takes the Screen
The competition also extends to the festival’s student shorts, where young filmmakers bring their own casts and stories to the screen.
Among the nominees for Panalong Aktres are Pau Baluyan, Mariella Cuerpo, Jonalyn Mateo, Belle Francisco, and Kyrie Samodio. The Panalong Aktor category includes Soliman Cruz for Nakabinbin, Arjhay Mangulabnan for No Mad Is an Island, Jay Gabriel Cañada for The Sound of K, VR Relosa for Starfish, André Miguel for When Heaven Inched Towards Earth, and Chino Alfonso for Nang Matakasan ang Tagay.
With performances coming from both established names and the festival’s newest voices, this year’s lineup reflects the range of talent behind Puregold CinePanalo films.
Before the Winners Are Announced
The winners will be revealed on September 30 at Gateway Cineplex 18, but the festival itself continues until October 4. Screenings are available 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 or Puregold Perks cardholders. A ₱2,000 festival pass is also available, covering all seven full-length films and four sets of 19 student shorts at Gateway Cineplex 18 and TriNoma.
Before the winners are announced, you still have the time to catch the films behind this year’s nominations. Watch the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival until October 4 and find your own standout performance.
