Ruby Ruiz, Pokwang tie for Best Actress at Cinemalaya 2026

The 22nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival saw the most anticipated tie as Ruby Ruiz and Pokwang shared the Best Actress award, while “Mag-Iina” took home the festival’s top prize.

Ruiz won for her performance in “Status: Rejected,” directed by Vahn Leinard Pascual, while Pokwang was recognized for her role in “2 Valid IDs,” directed by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan and Abet Pagdagdagan Raz.

Pokwang, who used her real name Marietta Subong in the film’s credits, earned recognition for her dramatic performance as a poor farmer, Sylvia, who is unable to claim a remittance because she lacked the necessary ID requirements.

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A departure from her comedic roots, Pokwang made her comeback to the independent festival after 10 years with “2 Valid IDs,” which drew sold-out screenings. The jury praised her “deeply transformative and devastating performance.”

“Bangon, industriya! Kaya natin ’to! Kaya ng Pilipino. Sa lahat ng may pinagdadaanan, huwag kayo mawalan ng pag-asa. Laban lang,” Pokwang said during her acceptance speech.

Meanwhile, the jury described Ruiz’s performance as an “absolute masterclass in screen acting,” as she portrays Biring, a 69-year-old whose dream of reuniting with her son in the U.S. seemed out of reach after her fourth visa rejection — until she formed an online connection with an American national.

“Status: Accepted!” said Ruiz in her acceptance speech. “Kakaiba ang Cinemalaya, kaya ‘pag nabigyan ka ng Balangay, talagang pahahalagahan mo. Sobrang karangalan ito.”

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The Best Actor award, meanwhile, went to Martin del Rosario for “Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam.” Del Rosario was recognized by the jury for his restrained portrayal of a gay man caring for his dying partner.

Meanwhile, the awards night also saw another tie between Lucas Andalio of “Mag-Iina” and K.D. Omalin of “Hand Of God” who shared the prize for Best Supporting Actor.

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Bituin Escalante won Best Supporting Actress for “A.ni.mál,” with the jury praising her ferocious performance and ability to shift between dark comedy and drama while portraying a woman dealing with political scandal.

‘Mag-iina’ wins Best Film

“Mag-iina,” directed by Giancarlo Abrahan and Guelan Varela Luarca, took home Best Film trophy in the Full-Length Category. The psychological horror follows three generations of women bound by grief, madness and a dark family secret.

The jury cited the film’s layered narrative, technical artistry and predominantly female cast, as well as its exploration of broader Philippine social and political realities, for its win.

Abrahan, on the other hand, also shared the Best Director award with Gabriela Serrano, director of “Elenita Elena Elaine.”

“Mag-iina” also won Best Screenplay for Luarca, Best Production Design for Katrish Aristoki and Best Musical Scoring for David Yuhico.

In the Short Film Category, Rey Anthony Villaverde’s “Silkscreen” won Best Film, while Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Gin Pateña’s “Runo!” took home Best Screenplay.

Other major winners

John Rogers won Best Editing for “A.ni.mál,” while Adam Dumaguin was named Best Cinematography for “Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam.”

Elian Idioma won Best Sound for the same film, which also received Best Ensemble Performance for its cast composed of del Rosario, Yayo Aguila, Miguel Oldron and Epy Quizon.

“Status: Rejected” received the NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) Award for Best Film in the Full-Length Category, while “The River Flows In Different Places” won the award in the Short Film Category.

The Special Jury Prizes went to “2 Valid Ids” and “Para-Paraan (Finding A Way Through).”

“2 Valid Ids” also won the Audience Choice Award for Full-Length Film, while “Hoy, Hoy, Ingat! (Hey, Hey, Take Care!)” was named the Audience Choice winner in the Short Film Category. /edv