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The spotlight at Gateway Cineplex and beyond shone brightest on two films that captured hearts and imaginations: Mono No Aware and Limlim. At this year’s Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival Awards Night, these titles didn’t just win trophies — they became symbols of how cinema continues to move, inspire, and connect audiences.
The Japan‑set drama Mono No Aware emerged as the evening’s most celebrated full‑length feature, sweeping nine awards including Best Film, Best Director for BC Amparado, and Best Actor for Juan Karlos Labajo. Its poetic storytelling and striking visuals reminded audiences of cinema’s power to transport us to places both foreign and familiar. Meanwhile, Limlim, a student short, proved that fresh voices can shine just as brightly, taking home the top honor in its category and cementing the promise of a new generation of filmmakers.
Beyond the big wins, the night was filled with memorable moments: Xyriel Manabat’s comedic brilliance in Stuck on You earned her Best Actress, Zion Cruz charmed audiences as Best Child Performer in Apol of My Ai, and Zanjoe Marudo’s nuanced performance in the same film brought him Best Supporting Actor. Each award felt like a celebration not just of talent, but of the diverse stories that make Philippine cinema so vibrant.
The complete list of 2026 Puregold CinePanalo award winners is as follows:
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: “Mutwoh (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”
PINAKAPANALONG 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 AKTRES
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 Nal” by Kier Mosquito, Edlyn Icao, John Dave Brion – “Teks Battle:
Shoot Pati Pato!”
PANALONG POSTER
Full-Length: Denver Balbaboco – “Patay Gutom”
Student Shorts: Keith lan 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”
Festival chair Ivy Hayagan‑Piedad captured the spirit perfectly: “Each year, we gather to honor the brave artistry and passion of Filipino filmmakers. We proudly celebrate their achievements and will continue to push new voices and perspectives that resonate with our panalo cinema audience.”
With screenings running until October 4 across Metro Manila malls, CinePanalo isn’t just an awards night — it’s a cultural gathering. For P250 (or P200 with discounts), audiences can immerse themselves in seven full‑length films and 19 student shorts, or go all‑in with a festival pass. It’s more than a ticket; it’s an invitation to experience stories that reflect who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re headed.
The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2026 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, Knor, Lucky Mel, Maggi, Magnolia Real Mayonnaise, Milo, Monde, MY San, Nestea, Nissin, Nivea, Palmolive Naturals, Pantene, Purefoods, Rebisco, Royal, Safeguard, Sprite, Surf, Wilkins and Zonrox.
