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For the first time, Pokwang and Martin del Rosario have won the prestigious Balangay trophy, awarded by the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.

The two Kapuso actors were named Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively, at the Cinemalaya 2026 Awarding Ceremony held Monday night, August 17, at Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong City.

In her acceptance speech, Pokwang said she had waited 10 years to win the Best Actress award. She received the honor for her acclaimed performance as Sylvia in the box-office hit film 2 Valid IDs.

“After 10 years po, ang una kong Cinemalaya ay yung Mercury Is Mine [noong] 2016, heto na po ako. Mama, Papa, maraming salamat! Pang-siyam po ako sa dose, sabi ng tatay ko, kakaiba raw ako sa dose, salamat po!”

Over the past two weeks, 2 Valid IDs has been among the films that have easily sold out screenings. Because of this, Pokwang expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the moviegoers who supported the film.

“Salamat po sa lahat ng mga nanood. Alam kong mahirap ang buhay ngayon, tipid-tipid, pero nandiyan kayo at sumuporta kayo. Pinatunayan n'yo na kaya ng Pilipino, kaya natin po, bangon industriya. Maraming salamat po!”

Toward the end of her speech, the actress also left words of encouragement for her fellow Filipinos.

Aniya, “Sa lahat ng Sylvia, sa lahat ng mga Pilipinong may [pinagdadaanan] po, huwag kayong mawalan ng pag-asa, laban lang.”

Meanwhile, it had been 12 years since Martin last became part of Cinemalaya, when he starred in Dagitab in 2014. This year, Martin is one of the stars of Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam.

“Nakakakaba pala,” sabi ni Martin nang tanggapin niya ang kanyang Balangay.

Ayon pa sa aktor, “Malaking-malaking bagay ito sa akin. Direk David [Corpuz], salamat sa tiwala n'yo sa akin. Kagaya ng sinabi ko sa inyo, yung Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam, isa ito sa mga di mawawala sa isip ko na pelikula. Forever 'yan sa puso ko, walang biro.”

On Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam, Martin plays Neil, a gay man who takes care of his dying boyfriend, Bong, played by Miguel Odron.

“Ang aming pelikula ay tungkol sa struggles ng queer relationships. May mga bagay na pilit nilang itinatago at huwag sabihin dahil sa takot na maja-judge ng ating lipunan. Ang alam ko, yung setting ng pelikula ay 2012. Pero ngayon, marami na ang nagbago. Sabi nga nila, malayo na, pero malayo pa. So, let's end the stigma towards the LGBT and end the stigma sa HIV.”

Aside from the Best Actress award, 2 Valid IDs also won the Audience Choice Award and Special Jury Award.

Meanwhile, Tayo Lang ang Nakakaalam took home the awards for Best Sound, Best Cinematography, and Best Ensemble Performance.

Related gallery: Ruru Madrid, Pokwang, at iba pang Kapuso stars na bibida sa Cinemalaya
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