PUP-led short films triumph at PCFF 2026 awards ceremony

Three student-led films from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) have reached prestigious heights after securing multiple awards at the third-annual Puregold Cinepanalo Film Festival (PCFF) Awards Night on September 30.

“Alumahan,” “Starfish,” and “Bumtak Sara ti Nuangen (The Carabao's Horns Have Cracked)” were among the top 20 entries chosen for student short films category out of 267 national applications for this year's film festival.

The entries received multiple nominations in various categories of short films.

Christian Melvin Arejola, a Journalism alumnus who directed Alumahan, bagged awards in three categories: Panalo sa Brand Intrusion, Panalo sa Poster made by Keith Ian Serfino, and Panalo sa International Jury award.

Aside from their bagged accomplishments, the film also received seven other major nominations: Panalong Child Performer, Panalong Pangalawang Aktres, Panalong Pangalawang Aktor, Panalo sa Cinematography, Panalong Kwento, Panalong Direktor, and Panalong Maikling Pelikula.

Alumahan follows Unyok, a grieving 13 year-old boy who experiences bullying from his peers as he struggles to find a sense of belonging. The film is set in a coastal community of Legazpi, Albay.

Meanwhile, Starfish, directed by John Clite Apolinar, a Bachelor in Advertising and Public Relations (BAPR) alumnus, earned the Panalong Pangalawang Aktres award which was played by Nour Hooshmand. The film also won the Panalo sa Visual Effects award, with Junelle Bacho Tecson and Luis Martin Mañalac credited for their editing.

Bumtak Sara ti Nuangen, directed by graduating Bachelor of Broadcasting (BABR) student Lloyd Pereira, on the other hand, won the Panalo sa Sound Design award.

Starfish and Bumtak Sara ti Nuangen also gained nomination on Panalong Aktor and Panalong Aktres award, respectively.

Apolinar's Starfish heeds into the life of a male sex worker who returns to his province. After returning, he confronts his estranged family and a community that shows an awfully familiar face of oppression.

Bumtak Sara ti Nuangen, meanwhile, is a satirical comedy short that follows a young woman named Gabriella whose visa to Canada has been finally approved and one step close to achieving her goal of finding her estranged mother.

PCFF 2026 will run until October 4 at selected cinemas in Metro Manila including Gateway Mall, Ayala Malls TriNoma, Fairview Terraces, Feliz, Circuit, Manila Bay, and Market! Market!

The festival showcases seven full-length films and 20 original student-lead short films with tickets starting at ₱200.

Article: Henry Ramirez

Graphics/Illustrations: Justine Ceniza