Mono No Aware wins nine awards at 2026 CinePanalo
BC Amparado won Best Director and Juan Karlos “JK” Labajo took Best Actor for the Japan-set drama, which also received Best Film.
Mono No Aware led the full-length competition at the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2026, collecting nine awards at Gateway Mall Cinema in Araneta City, Philippines. Its honours included Best Film and Panalo sa International Jury.
The drama earned BC Amparado the directing award, while Juan Karlos “JK” Labajo won for his lead performance and Momoko Kobayashi for her supporting role. It also received Best Ensemble. Technical honours went to cinematographer TM Malones, editor Edmund Telmo and sound designer Willie Apa Jr.
Set in Japan, the film follows Ichi, a Filipino kodokushi cleaner played by Labajo, and George, an elderly widower portrayed by Perry Dizon who requests a final favour before his death. Amparado said his late uncle Froilan, an Overseas Filipino Worker in Japan, inspired the film, which he dedicated to him.
Labajo, who missed the awards ceremony, said his preparation involved gaining weight and studying Japanese with a language coach. He also co-produced the film and told The Philippine Star that he gave up his professional fee so the money could cover production needs.
Elsewhere in the full-length competition, Xyriel Manabat received Best Actress for Stuck on You. Apol of My Ai, directed by Thop Nazareno, earned the Jury Award, with acting honours for child performer Zion Cruz and supporting actor Zanjoe Marudo, plus a musical scoring award for Emerzon Texon.
Among student shorts, Limlim won Best Film. Its director Samantha Palaje shared the directing honour with Jomarie Corro-Reyes of Kun Hain, Bisan Diin, which received the Jury Award. Festival screenings continue until Oct. 4 at Gateway Cineplex 18 and six other cinema locations.
