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Following this year's awards ceremony, the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) released an official statement clarifying the distinction between two actress award categories.

On its social media pages, the organization explained its intention behind the Best Actress and Actress with Distinction awards, received by Maricel Soriano and Maris Racal, respectively.

READ: Nominees of FAMAS Awards 2026

"For the longest time, FAMAS has maintained that the selection of its Best Actress is not confined solely to an isolated performance but also takes into consideration the actress's collective body of work, consistency of artistic excellence, versatility, and enduring contribution to Philippine cinema," the statement read.

"The Best Actress Award therefore recognizes not only the excellence of an actress in a particular film but also the depth, maturity, and cumulative artistic achievements that lend greater significance to her performance."

FAMAS noted that Maricel exemplifies the essence of the Best Actress award, citing her versatility and significant contributions to Philippine cinema.

Meanwhile, the organization explained that the Actress of Distinction Award recognizes "a singular performance of exceptional artistic merit, one that demonstrates extraordinary depth, originality, emotional conviction, and an unmistakable impact on the cinematic experience."

Maris received the award for her performance in the film Sunshine, which FAMAS praised for demonstrating remarkable courage, sensitivity, and artistic maturity.

"It is a singular performance of such distinctive quality that it merits recognition in its own right, independent of the cumulative achievements traditionally considered in the Best Actress category," they added.

FAMAS further emphasized that the two awards are not competing recognitions and should not be viewed as measures of superiority over one another.

"Rather, they celebrate two equally important dimensions of cinematic excellence: the enduring brilliance of an actress's collective artistry and the extraordinary power of one unforgettable performance.

"The distinction does not diminish the achievements of either artist. On the contrary, it allows FAMAS to recognize their respective accomplishments with greater precision, fairness, and artistic appreciation."

The awarding body also stressed that acting excellence cannot be measured by a single standard, noting that artists demonstrate their talent and achievements in different ways.

"Maricel Soriano represents the enduring excellence of a distinguished body of work. Maris Racal represents the extraordinary brilliance of a singular, distinctive performance. Both are deserving of recognition. Both embody excellence. Both are truly Pang-FAMAS."

The 74th FAMAS Awards was held on October 27, 2026, at The Manila Hotel.

Among the actresses recognized were Bea Alonzo (Nora Aunor Superstar Award), Dina Bonnevie (Queen of Glossy Films), and It's Showtime host Karylle (Best Supporting Actress for Quezon). []

Take a look back at the Kapuso winners of the 72nd FAMAS Awards in this gallery: