Lance Joseph Martinez

Marietta Subong, Ruby Ruiz Win Best Actress at Cinemalaya 2026, Share Why the Honor Matters

Article (news)

This year’s Cinemalaya has emerged as one of the film festival’s most successful editions in recent history. From sold-out screenings to strong online traction, the 22nd edition has continued to generate buzz and spark conversations among Filipino film enthusiasts.The festival’s nine feature films—A.ni.mal, 2 Valid IDs, Hand of God, Mag-iina, Kaka sa Yawan, Status: Rejected, Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam, and Tirik,—set the stage for a highly anticipated awards night.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787038386790[image] - 5294084.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Best Actor and Actress winners, Ruby Ruiz, Marietta Subong, and Martin del Rosario | Photo from @blackcappictures</div><div> </div>While Mag-iina took home the Best Feature Film award and Silkscreen won Best Short Film, another highly anticipated category was Best Actor, which went to Martin del Rosario for Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam. However, the Best Actress race delivered an equally memorable moment as two critically acclaimed actresses tied for the coveted honor.Marietta Subong, for her performance in 2 Valid IDs, and Ruby Ruiz, for Status: Rejected, were jointly named Best Actress at Cinemalaya 2026.In 2 Valid IDs, Marietta portrays Sylvia, a struggling farmer who is unable to claim a remittance because she lacks the required two valid IDs. What begins as a seemingly simple obstacle pushes her into circumstances that test her character, beliefs, and morality.<div style="text-align:left"> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787038473259[image] - 6869198.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div>Meanwhile, Ruby plays Biring in Status: Rejected, a 69-year-old widow who longs for companionship and a better life. After becoming involved in an online romance, she is forced to confront questions about her self-worth, her family, and the dreams she continues to hold on to.Although Sylvia and Biring come from vastly different circumstances, both characters reflect the realities, struggles, and aspirations familiar to many Filipinos. Through their deeply human portrayals, Subong and Ruiz brought stories of ordinary people to life—performances that clearly resonated with the Cinemalaya jury and ultimately earned them a share of the Best Actress plum.<div style="text-align:center"> </div><div>Here’s why the award means so much to them.</div>For Marietta Subong, her Best Actress win at Cinemalaya 2026 came at an especially meaningful time, marking a decade since she made her Cinemalaya debut in the 2016 film Mercury Is Mine.Upon receiving the award, the actress-comedian, professionally known as Pokwang, first expressed her gratitude to her parents, saying, “Mama, papa, maraming salamat.”She then shared a story about being the ninth of 12 siblings, recalling her father’s words about what made her stand out. “Pang-siyam po ako sa dose, sabi ng tatay ko kakaiba daw ako sa dose, salamat po, pero nagpapasalamat din po ako sa Cinemalaya, sa bumubuo po, sa mga jurors. Maraming, maraming salamat.”<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787038506620Screenshot 2026-08-18 152635.png" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Marietta Subong during her acceptance speech | Photo from Cinemalaya</div><div> </div>Marietta also took the opportunity to recognize the entire production team behind 2 Valid IDs, which also received a Special Jury Award. She extended her gratitude to everyone who watched and supported the film, particularly amid the financial challenges many Filipinos continue to face.“Especially po sa lahat po na mga nanood. Alam ko mahirap ang buhay ngayon, tipid-tipid. Pero nandyan kayo, sumuporta kayo, pinatunayan niyong kaya ng Pilipino. Kaya natin po, bangon industriya. Kaya maraming maraming salamat po,” she said.Meanwhile, for Ruby Ruiz, her Best Actress victory was made even more special by the presence of her son, to whom she dedicated the recognition. “I&#x27;d like to recognize the presence of my son kasi I would like to dedicate this film to him,” Ruiz said.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787038563459Screenshot 2026-08-18 152833.png" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Ruby Ruiz during her acceptance speech | Photo from Cinemalaya</div><div style="text-align:center"> </div>The veteran actress, who began her career in theater, also credited Cinemalaya for helping propel her career in the film industry. Despite her extensive theater background, Ruby admitted that she was not widely known in the industry before her involvement with the festival.Given Cinemalaya’s reputation for delivering unexpected results, Ruby revealed that she did not prepare an acceptance speech because she never expected to win. She also reminded fellow artists and audiences not to rely too heavily on predictions circulating online. “‘Wag ka masyado maniniwala sa social media, o mga sabi-sabi, dahil kakaiba ang Cinemalaya,” she said.Ruby further emphasized the significance of receiving a Cinemalaya award, describing it as a recognition that cannot simply be bought and must instead be earned through hard work. “Kaya kapag nabigyan ka ng balanghay, talaga ang pahalagahan mo dahil pinaghirapan ito, hindi siya nabibili, hindi siya—alam mo yung ganon. So, sobrang karangalan po na makatanggap ng sinasabi nila baka daw hindi na ako makatanggap dahil nakatanggap na ako dati.”<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787038637658Screenshot 2026-08-18 152816.png" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Photo from Cinemalaya</div><div> </div>For Ruby, every Cinemalaya recognition carries its own significance, regardless of whether an artist has received an award from the festival before. She also expressed her gratitude to the entire production team and the audiences who supported Status: Rejected, particularly the students who became among the film’s strongest supporters.Beyond the Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Film honors, the 22nd Cinemalaya also recognized several standout performances. Bituin Escalante took home Best Supporting Actress for A.ni.mál, while Lucas Andalio of Mag-iina and KD Omalin of Hand of God shared the Best Supporting Actor award.Meanwhile, the Best Ensemble Performance went to Martin del Rosario, Yayo Aguila, Epi Quizon, and Miguel Ordon for Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam, further highlighting the festival’s celebration of the exceptional talent and collaborative spirit behind this year’s films.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787038702002Screenshot 2026-08-18 152752.png" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div>Lead photo from Cinemalaya

Two actresses, one Best Actress honor. Here’s why the Cinemalaya 2026 win means so much to Marietta Subong and Ruby Ruiz.

Two actresses, one Best Actress honor. Here’s why the Cinemalaya 2026 win means so much to Marietta Subong and Ruby Ruiz.