CinePanalo 2026 is poised to be the filmfest’s ‘biggest installment yet’

Out of the 203 submitted entries, 33 were shortlisted, then reduced to 15, and finally narrowed down to seven official entries selected to compete in the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2026.

- By CHARMIE JOY PAGULONG

The big reveal was recently made during the film festival’s special event held at Cinema 12 of Gateway Cineplex 18.

The seven feature films are Joseph Abello’s “Wantawsan,” BC Amparado’s “Mono No Aware,” Thop Nazareno’s “Apol of My Ai,” Carl Joseph Papa and Ian Pangilinan’s “Patay Gutom (Dead Hungry),” Lawrence Fajardo’s “Beast,” Mikko Baldoza’s “Stuck on You” and Rodina Singh’s “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo).”

Each of the entries received a P5 million production grant.

Abello’s “Wantawsan” tells the story of a father determined to do whatever it takes to give his child a happy birthday celebration, while Amparado’s “Mono No Aware” follows the journey of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Japan who faces a “life-and-death situation.”

Nazareno’s “Apol of My Ai,” on the other hand, narrates the story of a child who falls in love with his teacher, only to discover that his own father is his “rival.”

“Cute-cute story lang,” Nazareno added.

“We're gonna be experimenting with a lot of different forms and themes. We're excited to show you a story about love in all different forms — whether it’s family, gay love, all forms at its forefront,” first-time director Pangilinan shared details about his upcoming film.

The actor, who appeared in “Nifia Nifio” and the theater productions “Bar Boys: The Musical” and 9 Works Theatrical’s “Rent,” added that it had been his childhood dream to direct. Moreover, “Patay Gutom (Dead Hungry)” is a love letter to his parents.