Melo Villareal
Filipino independent cinema had plenty to celebrate at the 22nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, with MAG-IINA emerging as the biggest winner of the festival’s prestigious Balanghai Awards.
Cinemalaya 22 Winners
The psychological horror film, directed by Giancarlo Abrahan and Guelan Varela Luarca, was named Best Film, earning praise for its fearless storytelling, striking technical work, and powerful performances. At the heart of the film is the story of three generations of women grappling with grief, madness, and a dark family secret.
What makes MAG-IINA particularly interesting is the way it uses horror to explore something much closer to home: complicated family relationships and the realities of Philippine society. The jury recognized the film for its layered storytelling and its ability to weave personal pain and family dysfunction into a larger reflection on social and political realities in the Philippines.
The film’s success did not stop at Best Film. MAG-IINA also won Best Screenplay, with Guelan Varela Luarca recognized for crafting a complex, unsettling story filled with memorable characters. The film also won awards for Best Production Design and Best Musical Scoring, while young actor Lucas Andalio won Best Supporting Actor.
Two filmmakers share Best Director honors
The Best Director award was shared by two filmmakers whose films stood out for very different reasons.
Giancarlo Abrahan was recognized for MAG-IINA, with the jury praising his confident direction, strong sense of atmosphere, and ability to bring together the film’s technical and dramatic elements.
Gabriela Serrano also took home a Best Director Balanghai for ELENITA ELENA ELAINE. Her film tells the story of women trying to hold on to their dreams while dealing with heartbreak and disappointment. The jury highlighted Serrano’s visual storytelling and her ability to elicit emotionally honest performances from her female cast.
Both directors demonstrated the kind of bold and personal filmmaking that Cinemalaya has become known for, giving audiences stories that feel distinctly Filipino while remaining emotionally universal.
Martin del Rosario wins Best Actor
One of the night’s standout acting victories went to Martin del Rosario, who was named Best Actor for TAYO LANG ANG NAKAKAALAM.
His performance is notably restrained, relying less on dramatic outbursts and more on quiet expressions and subtle moments. He plays a gay man caring for his dying partner, carrying the film’s emotional weight through grief, love, and the struggle to remain hopeful during an incredibly painful period.
The jury praised Del Rosario’s sensitive, understated performance, particularly his ability to convey so much without saying much.
Ruby Ruiz and Pokwang share the Best Actress award
The Best Actress category ended in a tie between two very different but equally compelling performances.
Ruby Ruiz won for STATUS: REJECTED, where she plays an aging woman navigating an online romance while yearning for companionship. The jury praised her ability to balance humor and melancholy, giving the character a warmth and vulnerability that made her performance deeply relatable.
Marietta “Pokwang” Subong shared the award for her performance in 2 VALID IDs. Known primarily for her comedic work, Pokwang delivered a dramatic and emotionally grounded performance that allowed audiences to see another side of her talent.
Her win was particularly notable because it demonstrated just how much dramatic range she has beyond the comedy that made her a household name.
Young performers make a strong impression
The supporting acting categories also highlighted some of the festival’s younger talents.
Lucas Andalio shared the Best Supporting Actor award for MAG-IINA. Despite his age, he took on a challenging role that required him to move through intense and disturbing character changes. The jury praised his ability to hold his own alongside a seasoned cast.
K.D. Omalin also shared the award for his performance in HAND OF GOD. He portrayed a young Mindanao child soldier whose life began to change after discovering a passion and talent for football. His performance captured the character’s difficult journey from violence and conflict toward the possibility of a different future.
Meanwhile, singer and actress Bituin Escalante won Best Supporting Actress for A.ni.mál. She was recognized for a performance that moved effortlessly between dark comedy and drama as she portrayed a woman grappling with political scandal and personal pain.
SILKSCREEN takes Best Short Film
The festival’s Short Film Competition also produced memorable winners.
- SILKSCREEN*, directed by Rey Anthony Villaverde, won Best Short Film. The film was recognized for its beautiful cinematography, careful sound design, and touching story about an aging father and his struggling son.
At its core, the film is about family, legacy, and reconciliation. Its story of a fading craft and a father and son trying to navigate changing times gave it an emotional quality that resonated with the jury.
For Best Screenplay in the Short Film category, RUNO! by Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Gin Pateña took home the award. The animated film combines humor and emotion while exploring loyalty, love, and sacrifice through the special bond between people and their dogs.
Celebrating the craft behind the films
Cinemalaya is not only about the actors and directors. The festival also recognizes the many artists working behind the scenes who help bring these stories to life.
This year’s technical winners included John Rogers for Best Editing for A.ni.mál, Adam Dumaguin for Best Cinematography for TAYO LANG ANG NAKAKAALAM, and Katrish Aristoki for Best Production Design for MAG-IINA.
David Yuhico received Best Musical Scoring for MAG-IINA, while Elian Idioma won Best Sound for TAYO LANG ANG NAKAKAALAM.
Each of these contributions played an important role in shaping the mood and emotional impact of the films. From the haunting atmosphere of MAG-IINA to the quiet, intimate soundscape of TAYO LANG ANG NAKAKAALAM, the technical awards highlight just how much work goes into creating a memorable film.
TAYO LANG ANG NAKAKAALAM wins Best Ensemble Performance
The cast of TAYO LANG ANG NAKAKAALAM received the Best Ensemble Performance award for their collective work.
The ensemble, composed of Martin del Rosario, Yayo Aguila, Miguel Oldron, and Epy Quizon, was recognized for portraying the warmth and tenderness of a Filipino family standing together during an incredibly difficult time.
Rather than focusing on one individual performance, the award celebrates the chemistry among the cast and the way their characters come together around a loved one who is seriously ill.
Special Jury Prizes highlight important stories
The festival also awarded Special Jury Prizes to two films that tackle very different social realities.
2 VALID IDs by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan and Abet Pagdagdagan Raz was recognized for turning an everyday bureaucratic problem into a tense and socially relevant story. The film explores institutional dysfunction and the struggles ordinary Filipinos face when dealing with red tape.
PARA-PARAAN (FINDING A WAY THROUGH) by Mae Chan Li received the other Special Jury Prize. The documentary looks at the physical and systemic barriers faced by people with disabilities, encouraging audiences to reconsider accessibility and inclusion in everyday spaces.
Both films show how independent cinema can take ordinary experiences and turn them into stories that encourage audiences to look at familiar problems in a new light.
Audiences have their say
The Cinemalaya audience also had the opportunity to choose their favorite films.
2 VALID IDs won the Audience Choice Award for Full-Length Film, while HOY, HOY, INGAT! (HEY, HEY, TAKE CARE!) Norvin de los Santos received the Audience Choice Award for Short Film.
These awards are particularly meaningful because they come directly from the people who watched the films during the festival.
A strong year for Filipino independent cinema
Cinemalaya 22 once again showed why independent film remains such an important part of the Philippine cultural landscape.
This year’s winners tackled everything from family secrets and grief to aging, love, disability, political scandal, violence, and the everyday struggles of ordinary Filipinos. Some stories were unsettling, others heartbreaking, while some found humor in difficult situations. Together, however, they reflected the wide range of experiences that Filipino filmmakers continue to explore.
For moviegoers, Cinemalaya is more than a competition. It is an opportunity to discover new filmmakers, fresh perspectives, and stories that might not always find their way into mainstream theaters.
And with MAG-IINA leading this year’s awards haul, Cinemalaya 22 has once again reminded audiences that some of the most interesting Filipino stories are being told outside the mainstream—and they are well worth watching.
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Also Read: Cinemalaya 22 Opening and Closing Films Reflect the Diversity of Filipino Experiences
