Sassa Gurl vs Xyriel Manabat
From acclaimed veterans to mainstream stars and fearless newcomers, some of Philippine cinema’s most exciting performers are going head-to-head for Puregold CinePanalo’s top acting prizes.
There will be no easy wins at this year’s Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival.
Acclaimed veterans, established stars and a new generation of performers are going head-to-head in what is shaping up to be one of the festival’s fiercest acting races yet.
During a livestream on the official Puregold CinePanalo Facebook page, festival director Chris Cahilig announced the actors and actresses nominated for the festival’s top performance prizes.
Veteran, young stars headline CinePanalo 2026
The nominations set up several intriguing battles ahead of the September 30 awards night, with seasoned actors competing against younger performers and emerging talents making their presence felt alongside some of Philippine cinema’s most recognizable names.
Nowhere is the competition more crowded than in the full-length Panalong Aktor category.
Award-winning actor John Arcilla earned a nomination for “Beast,” facing 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 race, meanwhile, pits Xyriel Manabat of “Stuck on You” against Sassa Gurl of “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo),” setting up a head-to-head battle between two performers coming from markedly different career paths.
The supporting categories are just as competitive, with Rita Daniela, Rochelle Pangilinan, Agot Isidro and Momoko Kobayashi competing for Panalong Pangalawang Aktres, while Paolo O’Hara, Roger Naldo and Zanjoe Marudo are up for Panalong Pangalawang Aktor.
Emotion-rich ‘Apol of My Ai’ brings kundiman alive for new gen
The student shorts competition brings another formidable field, including veteran Soliman Cruz alongside emerging actors from the festival’s 19 student films.
The official acting nominees are:
FULL-LENGTH CATEGORY
PANALONG AKTRES
Xyriel Manabat — “Stuck on You”
Sassa Gurl — “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)”
PANALONG AKTOR
Joross Gamboa — “Wantawsan”
John Arcilla — “Beast”
Ian Pangilinan — “Patay Gutom”
Khalil Ramos — “Patay Gutom”
Joao Constancia — “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)”
Perry Dizon — “Mono No Aware”
Juan Karlos Labajo — “Mono No Aware”
PANALONG CHILD PERFORMER
Zion Cruz — “Wantawsan”
Ruslan Jacob — “Beast”
Zion Cruz — “Apol of My Ai”
PANALONG PANGALAWANG AKTRES
Rita Daniela — “Wantawsan”
Rochelle Pangilinan — “Apol of My Ai”
Agot Isidro — “Patay Gutom”
Momoko Kobayashi — “Mono No Aware”
PANALONG PANGALAWANG AKTOR
Paolo O’Hara — “Mono No Aware”
Roger Naldo — “Stuck on You”
Zanjoe Marudo — “Apol of My Ai”
STUDENT SHORTS CATEGORY
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”
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”
The winners will be revealed at the Puregold CinePanalo Awards Night on September 30 at Gateway Cineplex 18.
The 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival runs until October 4 at Gateway Cineplex 18, TriNoma, Fairview Terraces, Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala Malls Manila Bay and Market! Market!