7 intriguing roles Pinoy stars are taking on at CinePanalo 2026

John Arcilla, singing carabao owner; Xyriel Manabat, accidental hitman; juan karlos, lonely death cleaner.

John Arcilla is a farmer with a singing carabao. Xyriel Manabat is an accidental hitman. juan karlos is a “lonely death” cleaner in Japan.

These are just some of the intriguing roles Filipino stars are taking on at this year’s Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, running Sept. 23 to Oct. 4 at Gateway Cineplex 18, Trinoma, Fairview Terraces, Feliz, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, and Market! Market!.

Now in its third year, CinePanalo brings together films about the triumph and resilience of the Filipino spirit, as well as the beauty of everyday wins. Its seven full-length films feature familiar names and emerging actors in stories involving ghosts, hitmen, magical road trips, first love, and complicated families.

Tickets cost ₱250 regular and ₱200 discounted; a ₱2,000 festival pass covers all seven films. PWDs, senior citizens, students, national athletes, and Aling Puring and Perks cardholders are eligible for discounted tickets.

Festival passes go on sale at Gateway Cineplex 18 on Sept. 22 and at all participating malls starting Sept. 23.

Here are the roles the CinePanalo stars are taking on—and the stories they’re stepping into.

‘Apol of my Ai’ (dir. Thop Nazareno)

Zanjoe Marudo and Rochelle Pangilinan lead Thop Nazareno’s “Apol of My Ai,” which also introduces young actor Zion Cruz.

The film follows Apol, a boy teetering on the threshold of manhood. His growing feelings for his choir teacher and a painful decision by his father, Poli, strain their relationship, leaving music as a way to restore their bond.

Mads Nicolas, Kat Galang and Jacob Kawagdan also star.

‘Beast’ (dir. Lawrence Fajardo)

Internationally acclaimed actor John Arcilla takes an unusual road trip in Lawrence Fajardo’s “Beast.”

Arcilla plays Lolo Omeng, an aging farmer who sets out for Manila with his loyal carabao, Pepe, played by rising actor Ruslan Jacob. What begins with a final harvest turns into a magical journey driven by the lingering memory of Lolo Omeng’s niece.

Candy Pangilinan, Karl Medina, XY Martillo, Raul Morit, Dax Alejandro, Onyl Torres, Marvin Yap, John Arceo, Neil Tolentino, Jemuel Satumba, and Sol Samodio complete the ensemble.

‘Stuck on You’ (dir. Mikko Baldoza)

One of the lineup’s wildest premises belongs to Mikko Baldoza’s “Stuck on You,” starring Xyriel Manabat and River Joseph.

Manabat plays a heartbroken manicurista who accidentally accepts a hitman’s job, plunging her into a conspiracy where saving her family could mean killing the man of her dreams.

Roger Naldo, Bob Jbeili, Bombi Plata, Viggo Franco, JM Salvado, Joel Saracho and Renzie Aguilar also star.

‘Patay Gutom’ (dir. Carl Joseph Papa and Ian Pangilinan)

A grumpy shut-in eating something he shouldn’t, sets off the supernatural story of “Patay Gutom,” from Carl Joseph Papa and Ian Pangilinan.

Khalil Ramos and Ian Pangilinan are cast in the lead alongside Agot Isidro and Cris Villanueva. After accidentally eating an offering intended for a charming ghost, the shut-in suddenly acquires a third eye.

What follows is an unlikely relationship shaped by family secrets, heartbreak, and a connection that straddles the realms of the living and the dead.

‘Mono no Aware’ (dir. BC Amparado)

Singer-songwriter juan karlos takes on a dramatic role opposite veteran actor Perry Dizon in BC Amparado’s “Mono No Aware.”

Set in Japan, the film follows a Filipino kodokushi cleaner who meets an elderly widower living alone. When the old man asks for one final favor before he dies, their encounter becomes an intimate story about grief, family, and accepting life’s impermanence.

Momoko Kobayashi joins Paolo O’Hara, Kentarou Furuyama, Aika Higashimori, Kaname Nagamori, and Tadashi Watanabe in the cast.

‘Multwoh’ (Patay na Patay sa ‘Yo) (dir. Rodina Singh)

What if you died before you could tell someone you loved them?

This question powers Rodina Singh’s “Multwoh (Patay na Patay sa ‘Yo),” starring Sassa Gurl and Joao Constancia.

A college queer suddenly dies in their dorm and returns as a ghost—not for revenge, but for unfinished romantic business: finally saying “I love you.”

The sprawling ensemble includes John Lapus, Iyah Mina, Phi Palmos, Mae Paner, Buboy Villar, Pipay, Gaia Poly, Yani Villarosa, Migs Almendras, Kaladkaren, Inah Evans, Christian Antolin, Lui Manansala, Sofia Trazona, Arman Salon, Chino Liu, Tart Carlos and Eric Fructuoso.

‘Wantawsan’ (dir. Joseph Abello)

A simple birthday errand spirals into something much bigger in Joseph Abello’s “Wantawsan.”

Joross Gamboa plays a struggling father who receives cash from the newly elected mayor he supported. Planning to use it to buy food for his son’s birthday, he sets out on an errand that becomes a comic test of his values, resourcefulness, and wit.

Zion Cruz, Rita Daniela, and Alwyn Uytingco join Joross in the lead cast.

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