Ruby Ruiz, Pokwang tie for Best Actress at 22nd Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival

MANILA, August 18 ------ Ruby Ruiz and Marietta Subong, more popularly known as Pokwang, shared the Best Actress award at the 22nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival for their performances in “Status: Rejected” and “2 Valid IDs,” respectively.

Pokwang made her Cinemalaya comeback after a decade in the entry where she plays Sylvia, a poor farmer unable to claim a remittance because she lacked the requirements. “2 Valid IDs” posted one of the strongest audience demands, drawing a string of sold-out screenings. “After 10 years, yung una ko sa Cinemalaya, ito na ako. Nagpapasalamat ako sa Cinemalaya, sa co-actors ko. Sa lahat ng nanood, alam ko mahirap ang buhay ngayon pero sinupportahan niyo. Bangon, industriya! Kaya natin ’to! Kaya ng Pilipino. Sa lahat ng may pinagdadaanan, huwag kayo mawalan ng pag-asa. Laban lang,” she said during her speech.

Ruiz, meanwhile, portrayed Virginia “Biring” Divinagracia, a 69-year-old whose dream of reuniting with her son in the U.S. seemed out of reach after her fourth visa rejection. That was until she connected online with an American. “Status: Accepted! Salamat! Wala ako pinrepare. Alam ko sa Cinemalaya, maraming surprises. Kakaiba ang Cinemalaya, kaya pag nabigyan ka ng Balangay, talagang pahahalagahan mo… Sobrang karangalan ito,” Ruiz said in her acceptance speech.

The Best Full Length Feature, went to “Mag-iina” starring Janine Gutierrez, Lucas Andalio, Cherry Pie Picache, Agot Isidro, Ness Roque, Jackie Lou Blanco, Bart Guingona, Alejandra Cortez. The entry directed by Giancarlo Abrahan written by Guelan Varela-Luarca also bagged the Best Director, Best Screenplay (Full-length), Best Original Musical Scoring and Best Production Design.

Lucas Andalio’s performance in “Mag-iina” also tied with KD Omalin’s performance in “Hand of God” for Best Supporting Actor.

Here is the full list of winners:

- Best Full-length Feature: Mag-iina (Giancarlo Abrahan and Guelan Varela-Luarca)

- Best Performance of a Leading Actress: Marietta “Pokwang” Subong for 2 Valid IDs and Ruby Ruiz for Status: Rejected


- Best Performance of a Leading Actor: Martin Del Rosario for Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam


- Best Director (Full-length): Giancarlo Abrahan for Mag-iina


- Best Director in the (Short Film): Gabriela Serrano for Elenita Elena Elaine


- Best Director in the (Full-length): Giancarlo Abrahan for Mag-iina


- Best Short Film of Cinemalaya 2026: Silkscreen by Rey Anthony Villaverde


- Best Production Design: Katrish Aristoki for Mag-iina


- Best Original Musical Scoring: David Yuhico for Mag-iina


- Best Sound Design: Elian Idioma for Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam


- The Best Editing Award: John Rogers for A.ni.mal


- Best Cinematography: Adam Dumaguin for Tayo Lang ang Nakakalam


- Best Screenplay (Short Film): Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Gin R. Pateña for RUNO! 


- Best Screenplay (Full-length): Guelan Varela-Luarca for Mag-iina


- Best Performance of a Supporting Actor: Lucas Andalio for Mag-iina and KD Omalin for Hand of God


- Best Performance of a Supporting Actress award: Bituin Escalante for A.ni.mál


- Best Ensemble Performance: Martin del Rosario, Miguel Ordon, Yayo Aguila, and Epy Quizon for Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam


- The Audience Choice Award for the Short Film category: Hoy! Hoy! Ingat!


- The Audience Choice Award for the Full-length feature: 2 Valid IDs


- The Netpac Award (Short Film): The River Flows in Different Places by Lot-Lot Hermosura


- The Netpac Award (Full-length): Status: Rejected by Vahn Leinard C. Pascual


- Special Jury Prize (Full-length Feature): 2 Valid IDs by Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagñalan, DGPI and Abet Pagdagdagan Raz, FSG


- Special Jury Prize (Short Film): Para-Paraan by Mae Chan-li

Source: news.abs-cbn.com