Last Saturday, at the grand Gateway Cineplex 18, I felt the kind of electric energy you only get when creative dreams are about to become a panalo reality. Puregold CinePanalo—now in its third year—pulled out all the stops for its 2026 Full-Length official entries reveal, and guys, they are making history.

A Cinematic Reveal (and a Giant Receipt!)

The reveal itself was peak cinema: a dramatic moment on the big screen showing a woman reaching for cocktail cans, with each can unveiling a winning film title. The hush in the audience was real as the names rolled out, sparking a mix of relief, excitement, and sheer joy among the filmmakers.

But the real showstopper? Puregold honored its retail roots by giving each of the seven finalists a giant, stylized grocery receipt. This wasn’t just a prop; it was the ultimate receipt for their hard work, symbolizing their record-breaking P5,000,000 production grant!

Yes, you read that right. Five million pesos each. As Festival Director Chris Cahilig said, this is the festival’s biggest grant to date, a “largesse that all seven participants truly deserve.” It’s a huge vote of confidence for our filmmakers and a major investment in the future of Philippine movies.

Meet Your Must-Watch Films for 2026

So, which dream projects got the golden ticket? The final seven represent a thrilling mix of established masters and new voices. Get your watch lists ready for these future classics!

Film Title	Directors	Why We’re Excited
Wantawsan	Joseph Abello	Abello is known for sharp, engaging storytelling. This is one to watch for social commentary.
Mono No Aware	BC Amparado	The title translates roughly to “the beauty of impermanence,” hinting at a deep, soulful narrative. Get the tissues ready.
Apol of my Ai	Thop Nazareno	Nazareno always delivers compelling, character-driven films. The “Ai” suggests a timely look at technology and relationships.
Patay Gutom (Dead Hungry)	Carl Joseph Papa & Ian Pangilinan	Papa is a celebrated animator/director, and Pangilinan is an emerging star. This dark, intriguing title promises a unique blend of horror and social realism.
Beast	Lawrence Fajardo	Expect grit and high-octane drama. Fajardo is a pro at tense, visceral filmmaking.
Stuck on You	Mikko Baldoza	With a title like this, I’m predicting a quirky, relatable comedy or a heartwarming romance. It’s giving us a much-needed feel-good vibe!
Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)	Rodina Singh	Rodina Singh is a powerhouse. The literal translation is “head over heels in love with you,” so prepare for a passionate, dramatic love story—with a twist!

The Legacy of ‘Panalo sa Husay’

It’s truly inspiring to see how much this festival has grown in just three years. Puregold Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad pointed out that this 2026 run is going to be the biggest installment yet, and it’s a direct result of Puregold’s commitment to “supporting and nurturing Filipino artists.”

This isn’t just about grants; it’s about providing a global launchpad. We’ve seen past CinePanalo films go on to compete in international film festivals across Europe, Asia, and Africa. The message is clear: when you give Filipino filmmakers the resources and the trust they deserve, they produce world-class art.

In 2026, we’ll be seeing these seven amazing feature films, plus twenty short films from our student filmmakers, at the Gateway Cineplex 18 and Ayala Malls. It’s going to be a celebration of Filipino creativity that will make us “laugh, cry, and everything in between.”

I absolutely cannot wait for next year!