The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2026 recently brought together 26 participating original films and their talented filmmakers and artists at a lively media conference held at Quantum Skyview in Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City.
Alongside seasoned directors and actors joining this year’s film festival are aspiring filmmakers and emerging auteurs eager to make their mark in the industry through a diverse lineup of stories and genres.
Hosted by TV personality Migs Almendras, the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival mediacon gave festival participants an opportunity to introduce their films and share the stories, inspirations, and creative journeys behind their projects.
Representing the coming-of-age film “Apol of My Ai” were director Thop Nazareno and actors Zion Cruz and Rochelle Pangilinan.
The fantastical “Beast” was represented by producer Meg Bryan Bermudez, together with supporting cast members Candy Pangilinan, Karl Medina, Ruslan Jacob, and Dax Alejandro.
The quiet and moving drama “Mono No Aware” was represented by director BC Amparado, producer Patricia Salic, and lead actor Juan Karlos Labajo.
The supernatural and proudly queer “Multwoh (Patay Na Patay Sa’yo)” had director Rodina Singh in attendance alongside actors Sassa Gurl, Joao Constancia, Phi Palmos, Gaia Poly, and Inah Evans.
The otherworldly love story “Patay Gutom” brought actors Khalil Ramos, Cris Villanueva, and Alwyn Uytingco to the stage with co-directors Carl Joseph Papa and Ian Pangilinan.
Meanwhile, director Mikko Baldoza joined lead stars Xyriel Manabat and River Joseph to represent the romantic comedy with a deadly twist, “Stuck on You.”
Rounding out the full-length filmmakers was director Joseph Abello, who presented “Wantawsan,” a slice-of-life comedy with a political dilemma at its heart.
Also in attendance were the 19 filmmakers competing in this year’s student shorts category. Hailing from different parts of the country, these emerging cinematic voices are set to showcase stories that reflect diverse Filipino experiences and perspectives.
“Every film in this year’s CinePanalo carries the passion of its creators,” says Ivy-Hayagan Piedad, festival chair of Puregold CinePanalo. “Giving these stories a platform where audiences can experience and celebrate them is our way of supporting Filipino artistry and contributing to the continued growth of Philippine cinema.”
PUREGOLD CINEPANALO FULL-LENGTH CATEGORY
“Apol of My Ai”
Director: Thop Nazareno
Starring: Zanjoe Marudo, Zion Cruz, Rochelle Pangilinan
Logline: Bata lang si Apol pero binata na ang tingin niya sa kaniyang sarili. Masusubok ang kaniyang pagbibinata nang ma-inlove siya sa kaniyang choir teacher, at nang gumawa ang kaniyang tatay Poli ng isang desisyon na maglalayo sa kanilang loob. Kaya ba silang hilumin at muling paglapitin ng musika?
“Beast”
Director: Lawrence Fajardo
Starring: John Arcilla
Logline: After a final harvest forced upon him by the landlord, a farmer and his loyal carabao embark on a magical road trip to Manila, chasing the ghost of a niece the years stole from him.
“Mono No Aware”
Director: BC Amparado
Starring: Juan Karlos Labajo, Perry Dizon
Logline: In a quiet apartment in Japan, a Filipino kodokushi cleaner meets an elderly widower who asks him for one final favor before he dies. What begins as a promise becomes a quiet story of grief, family, and accepting life’s impermanence.
“Multwoh (Patay Na Patay Sa’yo)”
Director: Rodina Singh
Starring: Sassa Gurl, Joao Constancia
Logline: When a college queer dies suddenly in their dorm, they return as a ghost—not to seek revenge, but to say the one thing they never found the courage to say in life: “I love you.” A haunting, hilarious, and tender story about fear, desire, and the kind of love that refuses to die.
“Patay Gutom”
Directors: Carl Papa, Ian Pangilinan
Starring: Khalil Ramos, Ian Pangilinan, Agot Isidro, Cris Villanueva
Logline: The story follows a grumpy shut-in whose third eye is accidentally opened after eating an offering meant for a charming but lonely ghost. Now bound together, they discover family secrets, shared heartaches, and a love that blurs the line between life and the afterlife.
“Stuck on You”
Director: Mikko Baldoza
Starring: Xyriel Manabat, River Joseph
Logline: A heartbroken manicurista accidentally takes on a hitman’s job, leading her to a deadly conspiracy where she must choose between saving her family or killing the man of her dreams.
“Wantawsan”
Director: Joseph Abello
Starring: Joross Gamboa, Rita Daniela, Zion Cruz
Logline: A cash-strapped father receives money from the newly elected mayor he supported, but when he sets out to buy food for his son’s birthday that day, he’s thrust into a comical adventure that tests his wit and his values.
PUREGOLD CINEPANALO STUDENT SHORTS CATEGORY
SET A
“Starfish”
Director: John Clite Apolinar
Starring: VR Relosa, Nour Hooshmand, Jake Ulan, Floyd Tena, Dads Valencia
“Kun Hain, Bisan Diin. (Anywhere and Everywhere)”
Director: Jomarie Reyes
Starring: Pau Baluyan, Carla Zarcal, Anton Nolasco
“Kanibal”
Director: Michael Baylon
Starring: Rowen Jean Ledesma, Roselle Lao, Ma. Lourdes Maculada
“Sa Mga Nagdaan at Lumipas”
Director: Ezaldea Carla Fernandez
Starring: Darelle Tiu, Aly Torres, Karla Dipasupil
“Limlim”
Director: Samantha Beatriz Acoja Palaje
Starring: Zoey Madison Presentacion Lim, Angela Salga
SET B
“Alumahan”
Director: Christian Melvin M. Arejola
Starring: Don Rishmond Cerbito, Zoey Madison Lim, Jeremy Mayores
“When Heaven Inched Towards Earth”
Director: Vinh Marco
Starring: André Miguel, Kaleb Ong
“No Mad is an Island”
Director: Carl Geronimo
Cast: Arjhay Mangulabnan, Vic Romano
“Tingi”
Director: Rowan De Aro
Starring: Jero Andrey Marcelino, Evangeline Argete Gigante
“Ang Huling Banlaw ni Susan”
Director: Hezekiah M. Estorque
Starring: Jonalyn Mateo, Ian Laczi, Chayl Flores, Jeffrey James
SET C
“Pulis Dunggab”
Director: Maxine Dela Bajan
Starring: Van Jordan Gacayan, Elj Seth Tababa, Richel Ann Basiga
“The Sound of K”
Director: Jay Gabriel A. Cañada
Starring: Jay Gabriel A. Cañada
“Nakabinbin”
Director: Carlo Gula
Starring: Soliman V. Cruz
“Nang Matakasan ang Tagay”
Director: Giancarlo Santiago
Starring: Chino Alfonso, Jovic Gabriel Cardano
SET D
“Teks Battle: Shoot Pati Pato!”
Director: John Russel Capule
Starring: Trisha Nicole Corpus, Kenneth Mendoza, Rhandylle Marius Obra, Samantha Gleo
“Kapag Tapos na ang Umpukan”
Director: Justine Lee Estinor
Starring: Oz Kenshin Rodas
“12 Shots”
Director: Minnesota Flores
Starring: Nor Domingo, Kyrie Samodio, Ethan King
“Bumtak Sara ti Nuangen (The Carabao’s Horns Have Cracked)”
Director: Lloyd Pereira
Starring: Belle Francisco, Riya Miranda
“Miss Intrams”
Director: Henri Marie C. Belimac
Starring: Mariella Cuerpo, Mika Hamajo, Diana Palma
Festival Details
The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2026 runs from September 23 to October 4 at:
- Gateway Cineplex 18
- TriNoma
- Fairview Terraces
- Ayala Malls Feliz
- Ayala Malls Circuit
- Ayala Malls Manila Bay
- Market! Market!
Tickets are priced at ₱250 regular and ₱200 discounted. A ₱2,000 festival pass is also available for moviegoers who want to experience the entire lineup.
PWDs, senior citizens, students, national athletes, and Aling Puring and Perks cardholders are eligible for discounted tickets.
Festival passes will be available at Gateway Cineplex 18 beginning September 22, and at TriNoma starting September 23.
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, and Purefoods.
No comments:
Post a Comment