Philippine Film Industry Month honors late critic Tito Valiente while celebrating global victories

The month-long showcase pays bittersweet tribute to cinema icons alongside groundbreaking Filipino stars winning worldwide acclaim.

The sudden passing of educator, cultural critic, and regional cinema advocate Tito Genova Valiente, just days before he was set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, casts a bittersweet shadow over Philippine Film Industry Month (PFIM) 2026.

Opening on September 4 with a 4K restoration of Lino Brocka’s 1974 masterpiece “Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang,” the month-long showcase culminates on September 30 at Seda Vertis North in Quezon City with the annual Parangal ceremony. Valiente was set to be honored alongside producer Vic Del Rosario, actress Hilda Koronel, and the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, which celebrates its 50th anniversary.

FDCP chair Jose Javier Reyes expressed deep sorrow over Valiente’s passing: “We’re so heartbroken when Tito left. We wish that we had the opportunity to personally give it to him, just like with Bing Lao—to have the honor, proper honor,” Reyes told reporters at the Cinematheque in Manila. “But then, plans are not for us to decide, but that of God. So, we are still giving this award to Tito’s family to show how much the country appreciates all the work that he has done not only for cinema, but for culture and education.”

While PFIM honors pioneers like Valiente, the Parangal Annual Achievement Awards also spotlight contemporary artists making waves abroad. Among the honorees is Jorrybell Agoto, who turned heads at Berlin for “Filipiñana.” “Jorrybell got a standing ovation in Berlin—not only for her acting, but also for her gown,” Reyes pointed out.

Reyes also highlighted Ruby Ruiz for “First Light”: “Alam naman natin ang credibility ni Ruby Ruiz. In recent years, she’s won awards, but this is for ‘First Light,’ which is most likely going to be the Australian Academy Oscar entry.” The spotlight further shines on “Enjoy Your Stay,” featuring Mercedes Cabral, Anna Luna, Irma Adlawan, Donna Cariaga, Madeleine Nicolas, and Hasmine Killip. Written by Honeylyn Joy Alipio and helmed by Domiki Locher, it stood out in Berlin. “The reception was awesome. The director is European, but the film is Pinoy na Pinoy,” Reyes observed.

The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) will also announce the country’s submission to the 99th Academy Awards during opening night.

Closing out PFIM 2026, the focus shifts to industrial growth. The ceremony will commemorate the Quezon City Screen Commission following QC’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Film. To support creators, PFIM will unveil the finalists of the Isapelikula incubator program, where selected projects stand to receive grants of up to P1 million.

Hosted by Michael Sager and Aya Fernandez, the September 30 event will feature performances by Sam Mangubat, Esang, AC Bonifacio, Kai Montinola, and Jarren Garcia, bringing PFIM 2026 to a close on a note that honors history while building the framework for Filipino cinema’s global future.

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