From acclaimed veterans and mainstream stars to fearless newcomers, some of Philippine cinema’s most exciting performers are going head-to-head for the top acting prizes at the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival. There will be no easy wins at this year’s festival. Acclaimed veterans, established stars, rising performers and a new generation of talents are competing across the acting categories, setting up a number of intriguing matchups ahead of the Puregold CinePanalo Awards Night on September 30.
During a livestream on the official Puregold CinePanalo Facebook page, festival director Chris Cahilig announced the acting nominees for both the full-length films and student shorts competition. The nominations bring together performers from different generations and career stages, with established names sharing the spotlight with emerging talents who are making their mark through this year’s festival entries.
John Arcilla Leads a Competitive Panalong Aktor Race
The Panalong Aktor category for full-length films features seven nominees, including acclaimed veteran John Arcilla, who earned recognition for his performance in Beast. Arcilla will compete 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.
The category brings together actors with very different career trajectories, making the Panalong Aktor race one of the most closely watched acting categories of the festival. Patay Gutom has two representatives in the category, with both Pangilinan and Ramos receiving nominations, while Mono No Aware also earns two acting nominations through Dizon and Labajo.
Xyriel Manabat and Sassa Gurl Face Off for Panalong Aktres
The Panalong Aktres category features just two nominees: Xyriel Manabat for Stuck on You and Sassa Gurl for Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo). The head-to-head lineup brings together two performers from markedly different career paths. Manabat has established herself as one of the country’s recognizable young actresses, while Sassa Gurl has built a distinct presence as a performer and entertainer. Their nominations place both in contention for one of the festival’s major acting honors. With only two nominees in the category, the Panalong Aktres race is one of the most straightforward—and potentially most closely watched—contests of the night.
Strong Names in the Supporting Categories
The supporting acting categories also feature a mix of veteran performers, established stars and emerging talents. For Panalong Pangalawang Aktres, the nominees are Rita Daniela for Wantawsan, Rochelle Pangilinan for Apol of My AI, Agot Isidro for Patay Gutom, and Momoko Kobayashi for Mono No Aware. Meanwhile, the Panalong Pangalawang Aktor nominees are Paolo O’Hara for Mono No Aware, Roger Naldo for Stuck on You, and Zanjoe Marudo for Apol of My AI.
The categories further highlight the range of performers represented across the festival’s full-length entries.
The Panolong Child Performer category features three nominees, including Zion Cruz, who earns two nominations for separate films. Cruz is recognized for Wantawsan and Apol of My AI, while Ruslan Jacob receives a nomination for Beast. The nominations underscore the festival’s recognition of young performers alongside established names in Philippine cinema.
The competition extends beyond the full-length films, with the Student Shorts Category also recognizing performers from the festival’s 19 student films.
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
Veteran actor Soliman Cruz is among the notable names in the student shorts acting lineup, receiving a Panalong Aktor nomination for Nakabinbin.
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
Puregold CinePanalo Awards Night
The winners will be announced during the Puregold CinePanalo Awards Night on September 30 at Gateway Cineplex 18.
The 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival runs until October 4, with screenings 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 tickets for ₱200.
For moviegoers who want to experience the festival’s full lineup, a ₱2,000 festival pass provides access to all seven full-length films and four screening sets featuring the festival’s 19 student shorts. Festival passes are available at Gateway Cineplex 18 and TriNoma. With established stars, acclaimed veterans, emerging performers and young talents all represented among the nominees, the Puregold CinePanalo acting categories offer a wide-ranging showcase of Filipino screen talent.
The winners will be revealed on September 30, when the festival’s performers and filmmakers gather to celebrate this year’s entries.
The 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 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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