2026 Puregold CinePanalo Winners: ‘Mono No Aware’ and ‘Limlim’ Take Top Awards | ‘Mono No Aware’ dominates the full-length film category with nine awards, while ‘Limlim’ takes the top prize in the student shorts competition.
The 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival recognized outstanding Filipino filmmaking talent as “Mono No Aware” and “Limlim” emerged as the biggest winners in the full-length and student shorts categories, respectively, during the festival’s Awards Night.
The awards celebrated the creativity, storytelling, and technical excellence of filmmakers whose works showcase diverse perspectives and compelling narratives in Philippine cinema.
‘Mono No Aware’ wins nine awards in full-length category
Leading the full-length category, the Japan-set drama “Mono No Aware” secured nine awards, including the coveted Pinakapanalong Pelikula and Panalo sa International Jury honors.
Directed by BC Amparado, the film also received recognition for its performances and technical achievements. Its awards included Panalong Direktor for Amparado, Panalong Aktor for Juan Karlos Labajo, Panalong Pangalawang Aktres for Momoko Kobayashi, Best Ensemble, and technical awards for cinematography, editing, and sound design.
Other notable winners in the full-length category included “Apol of my Ai,” “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo),” and “Patay Gutom,” which each received four awards. “Stuck on You” earned two awards.
Among the evening’s acting highlights were Xyriel Manabat, who won Panalong Aktres for her comedic performance in “Stuck on You”; young actor Zion Cruz, who received the Panalong Child Performer award for “Apol of my Ai”; and Zanjoe Marudo, who was recognized as Panalong Pangalawang Aktor for the same film.
‘Limlim’ takes top honor in student shorts category
The student shorts competition featured a close contest between “Limlim” and “Kun Hain, Bisan Diin.” Both films earned four awards each, including a tie for Panalong Direktor.
Samantha Palaje received the directing award for “Limlim,” while Jomarie Corro-Reyes was recognized for “Kun Hain, Bisan Diin.” The latter also earned distinctions for its story and editing.
“Limlim,” however, secured the category’s highest recognition, Pinakapanalong Maikling Pelikula, along with awards for cinematography and child performance, among others.
The student shorts winners also highlighted the range of emerging filmmaking talent, with films such as “Alumahan,” “Ang Huling Banlaw ni Susan,” “12 Shots,” “Starfish,” and “Miss Intrams” receiving recognition across different categories.
Puregold CinePanalo celebrates Filipino filmmakers
Puregold CinePanalo Festival Chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad emphasized the importance of recognizing filmmakers who continue to contribute fresh ideas and perspectives to Philippine cinema.
“Each year, we gather to honor the brave artistry, and passion of Filipino filmmakers who continue to make a statement in Philippine cinema,” Hayagan-Piedad said.
“We proudly celebrate their achievements and we will continue to push this new voice and new perspective that move, inspire, and resonate with our panalo cinema audience,” she added.
Festival screenings continue until October 4
The 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival continues its screenings until October 4 at selected cinemas nationwide, including Gateway Cineplex 18, TriNoma, Fairview Terraces, Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, and Market! Market!
Regular admission is priced at ₱250, while discounted tickets worth ₱200 are available to persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, students, national athletes, and Aling Puring and Puregold Perks cardholders.
Moviegoers can also purchase a ₱2,000 festival pass, which provides access to all seven full-length films and four screening sets featuring the festival’s 19 student short films. Festival passes are available at Gateway Cineplex 18 and TriNoma.
With its recognition of established filmmakers and emerging student talents, the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival continues to provide a platform for Filipino storytellers and celebrate the evolving landscape of Philippine cinema.
Complete List of 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival Winners
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: “Multwoh (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”
PINAKA PANALONG 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 AKTRESS
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 Na!” by Kier Mosquito, Edlyn Icao, John Dave Brion – “Teks Battle: Shoot Pati Pato!”
PANALONG POSTER
Full-Length: Denver Balbaboco – “Patay Gutom”
Student Shorts: Keith Ian 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 Supporters
The 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 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, 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.
