The spotlight shone bright at Gateway Cineplex 18 as Puregold CinePanalo 2026 unveiled its seven official full-length film entries in a grand reveal that celebrated creativity, storytelling, and Filipino talent. The atmosphere was electric—filled with emotion, anticipation, and the shared excitement of filmmakers whose passion projects are finally coming to life on the big screen.
The seven feature films are;
🎬 ‘Wantawsan’ – Joseph Abello
🎬 ‘Apol of My Ai’ – Thop Nazareno
🎬 ‘Mono No Aware’ – BC Amparado
🎬 ‘Patay Gutom (Dead Hungry)’ – Carl Papa & Ian Pangilinan
🎬 ‘Beast’ – Lawrence Fajardo
🎬 ‘Stuck on You’ – Mikko Baldoza
🎬 ‘Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)’ – Rodina Singh
As previously announced, each of the seven entries will receive a production grant of P5,000,000 and a chance to compete for the festival’s awards. The select feature films will be shown on screen alongside twenty short films made exclusively by student filmmakers.
In addition to the cinematic reveal videos, the event also showcased its retail roots by awarding each of the seven official entries with a giant stylized grocery receipt signifying their record-breaking production grant.
*The upcoming 2026 Puregold CinePanalo is going to be the festival’s biggest installment yet,” says Puregold Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad. “It was only right that we revealed the Top 7 films with a splash of our own.”
Puregold CinePanalo organizers likewise affirm that each of the seven film entries will surely amaze audiences and live up to the lofty expectations set by the success of its past festivals.
*Puregold CinePanalo is giving its biggest grants to date, largesse that all seven participants truly deserve by showing us the passion, creativity, and ‘panalo sa husay’ spirit that only Filipino filmmakers can bring,” festival director Chris Cahilig says. “These films are going to make audiences laugh, cry, and everything in between. We can hardly wait for audiences to see what lies ahead at the festival.”
Now on its third year, the Puregold CinePanalo has served as a platform for intrepid Filipino filmmakers in crafting their dream projects, some of which were eventually selected to compete at international film festivals across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
“Puregold has always believed in the power of supporting and nurturing Filipino artists,” says Hayagan-Piedad. “It is one of Puregold’s greatest prides that CinePanalo has grown to this level and given so many Filipino filmmakers the chance to produce world-class movies. We have no doubt that the seven films competing next year will be no exception.”
The 2026 Puregold CinePanalo will be held next year at the Gateway Cineplex 18 and Ayala Malls. The Festival is proudly supported by Canon Marketing Philippines, CMB Film Services, Terminal Six Post, IM Rentals, the Asia Pacific Film Institute, Stage Post Audio and Music Productions Inc., the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board
For more information on the Puregold CinePanalo, you may stay updated through the official Festival Facebook page facebook.com/puregoldcinepanalo
