Xyriel Manabat, Sassa Gurl set early best actress race at CinePanalo 2026

Xyriel Manabat and Sassa Gurl are emerging as early names to watch in the Best Actress race at the 2026 CinePanalo Film Festival.

Manabat stars in Mikko Baldoza’s “Stuck on You,” while Sassa Gurl takes the lead in Rodina Singh’s “Multwoh (Patay na Patay sa ‘Yo).”

The two actresses arrive at the festival from different directions: Manabat brings years of acting experience, while Sassa Gurl enters the competition as a newcomer with growing momentum.

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In “Stuck on You,” Manabat plays Sheryl Bunga, a heartbroken manicurista who accidentally gets involved in a deadly conspiracy after accepting a hitman’s job. Her situation becomes more complicated when she falls for a man, played by River Joseph, whom she may eventually have to kill.

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Manabat is a former child actress who won FAMAS Best Child Actress for “Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last na ‘To!)” and “A Mother’s Story.” She later took on more mature dramatic roles in projects such as “Dirty Linen” and “Senior High.”

READ: John Arcilla, Zanjoe Marudo, Rochelle Pangilinan lead star-studded CinePanalo lineup

Sassa Gurl, meanwhile, plays Marcel, a queer college student who dies before confessing their feelings to their longtime crush Miguel, played by Joao Constancia, in “Multwoh.”

Marcel returns as a ghost, but instead of seeking revenge, they have one unfinished mission: to finally tell Miguel “I love you.”

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Following appearances in “The Entitled” and “Balota,” Sassa Gurl recently earned Breakthrough Actress of the Year at the 2026 Platinum Stallion National Media Awards for “Bar Boys: After School.”

The potential Manabat-Sassa Gurl face-off also reflects the varied performances in this year’s seven full-length CinePanalo entries. Zanjoe Marudo and Rochelle Pangilinan headline “Apol of My Ai,” John Arcilla leads “Beast,” Khalil Ramos and Ian Pangilinan star in “Patay Gutom,” juan karlos takes on a dramatic role in “Mono No Aware,” and Joross Gamboa leads “Wantawsan.”

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The 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival runs from Sept. 23 to Oct. 4. /ra