Talented child actors continue to shine at the annual Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.
‘Ganggang’ (2026) by JL Burgos tells the story of children in a rural community experiencing the looming threat of anti-insurgency operations by the military.
Three boys Mel (Raine Dela Cruz), Ilay (Kenneth Vincent Mendoza) and Ten-ten (Don Richmond Cerbito) form an unlikely bond to find the best fighting spider against the spider of the school bully Anton (Prince España) until their own search puts their friendship to a test.
Burgos said that the film does not only wish to show the intricate web of human rights violations in the Philippines. It also aims to bring these issues to a broader public discourse.
‘Basic human rights are often swept under the mantle of economic growth. Those who speak and protest are silenced or forced to obey. The implementers are given too much power to suppress and enforce obedience to ensure economic progress,’ Burgos said.
He added: ‘A nation with no respect for human rights is a nation without a spine. Its progress is forever delayed. A nation can only achieve genuine peace and economic growth when the basic rights of its people are established, recognized, and protected.’
In ‘Hand of God’ (2026), KD Omalin portrays 10-year-old Khaleel, a child soldier of a violent terrorist group in Basilan.
The war drama follows a military lieutenant (Ruru Madrid) who uses sports, specifically football, as a means of intervention and a chance at a different path away from war. He sets up a makeshift football post to win the trust of residents suspected of terrorist ties.
The movie highlights how children are the primary victims of adult-driven wars. The narrative emphasizes the urgent need to protect youth from being weaponized, focusing on a soldier trying to help a child soldier ‘remember how to be a child.’
The director, Mark Duane Angos, aims to break down prejudices and stereotypes surrounding conflict-scarred Muslim communities, sending a powerful reminder that every marginalized community deserves to be seen, heard, and valued.
‘Kaka Sa Yawan (2026) is the coming-of-age drama follows Niko (Bryce Nicolo Mercader), as he returns to Mindoro island years after a life-changing childhood friendship with Ayan (Dennis Dato), a Tadyawan-Mangyan boy.
As he fulfills a long-forgotten promise, Niko confronts memories of loss, belonging, and the bond that once changed his life.
It is a story about friendship that slowly crosses the lines of culture and circumstance. They may come from very different worlds, but they share many of the same hopes, dreams and desire for a better life.
In Mag-iina (2026), Lucas Andalio plays Ynigo as strange adopted son in the Abreu family.
The film follows Anj (Janine Gutierrez) as she returns to her ancestral home days before the 40th day of her father’s death. She reunites with three generations of women in her family, mother Mita (Agot Isidro), aunt Ysobel (Cherry Pie Picache), and matriarch Angela (Jackie Lou Blanco) who are trapped in grief and madness, uncovering long-buried ‘dark forces.’
Director Giancarlo Abrahan described Mag-iina as an eerie family drama-‘undomesticated by a horror that announces itself openly: in nightmares that bleed into waking, in the dead who have not crossed toward eternal light, in secrets that linger longer than the ghosts themselves.’
The youngest winner of best actor award was Noel Comia Jr. for Kiko Boksingero (2017) when he was then 13 years old, followed by 15-year-olds Jansen Magpusao for John Denver Trending (2019) and Enzo Osorio for The Hearing (2024). Nathan Lopez was also 13 when he was given Special Citation (for acting performance) for Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (2005).
The Hearing (2024) focuses on Lucas (Enzo Osorio) as a deaf boy from a remote fishing village who becomes central to a high-profile criminal case.
Love Child (2024) is about a young couple (RK Bagatsing, Jane Oineza) that navigates the challenges of raising their autistic son John Tyrron Ramos in an increasingly unforgiving world, testing their love and resilience.
Iska (2019) follows Iska (Ruby Ruiz), a struggling photocopy machine operator at the University of the Philippines who single-handedly raises her 10-year-old grandson (Pryle Gura) with severe autism.
John Denver Trending (2019) is about the life of a 14-year-old farm boy (Jansen Magpusao) that is suddenly upended when a video of him brutally attacking a classmate goes viral.
Pan de Salawal (2018) follows a wandering 7-year-old girl named Aguy who has the miraculous ability to heal sick people by physically striking them.
‘Kiko Boksingero’ (2017) is about a young boy (Noel Comia Jr) attempting to build a bond with his estranged father through their shared love for the sport of boxing.
‘Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros’ (2005) follows a gay teen (Nathan Lopez ) in Manila torn between a young cop and his criminal family. It won Best Film (Special Jury Prize).
Peyups is the moniker of the University of the Philippines. Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the Seafarers’ Division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan Law Offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0908-8665786.