From dreams to the big screen: 7 filmmakers win P5M each at Puregold CinePanalo

Seven filmmakers out of 15 semi-finalists are set to receive a P5 million production grant each for the third edition of the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo.

The grantees are Joseph Abello (“Wantawsan”), BC Amparado (“Mono No Aware”), Thop Nazareno (“Apol of My Ai”), Carl Joseph Papa and Ian Pangilinan (“Patay Gutom” or “Dead Hungry”), Lawrence Fajardo (“Beast”), Mikko Baldoza (“Stuck on You”), and Rodina Singh (“Multwoh” or “Patay na Patay Sa’yo”). Each will soon begin production under what is now the biggest grant for feature filmmakers in the country.

These films will compete for the festival’s top awards and will be screened alongside 20 short films created exclusively by student filmmakers.

A cinematic reveal

There was a hush at Cinema 12 of Gateway Cineplex 18 during the announcement of the seven full-length finalists on Saturday afternoon. The screen flickered to life with a teaser showing a woman reaching for cocktail cans—a nod to Puregold’s retail roots—and set the tone for the unveiling that followed. The excitement built up as each filmmaker’s name was called, marking the start of their long-awaited projects.

To drive home the brand’s flair for creativity, each of the seven filmmakers was awarded a giant, stylized grocery receipt—symbolizing their record-breaking P5-million grant.

“The upcoming 2026 Puregold CinePanalo is going to be the festival’s biggest installment yet,” Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad said. “It was only right that we revealed the Top 7 films with a splash of our own.”

‘Panalo sa husay’

Organizers say each of the chosen entries is poised to surprise and delight audiences, continuing the festival’s tradition of spotlighting remarkable Filipino stories.

“Puregold CinePanalo is giving its biggest grants to date—support that all seven participants truly deserve for showing the passion, creativity, and ‘panalo sa husay’ spirit that only Filipino filmmakers can bring,” festival director Chris Cahilig said. “These films are going to make audiences laugh, cry, and everything in between. We can hardly wait for them to hit the big screen.”

Now on its third year, Puregold CinePanalo continues to serve as a launchpad for Filipino filmmakers to create their dream projects, many of which have gone on to compete at international film festivals across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Supporting and nurturing artists

“Puregold has always believed in supporting and nurturing Filipino artists,” Hayagan-Piedad added. “It’s one of our greatest prides that CinePanalo has grown to this level and given so many 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 Gateway Cineplex 18 and select Ayala Malls cinemas.

The festival is 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 (MTRCB).

For more information on the Puregold CinePanalo, you may stay updated through the official Festival Facebook page.

READ: