'58th' among Top 10 Audience Choice Films at 2026 International Film Festival Rotterdam

"58th," GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs' documentary film about the Maguindanao massacre, was among the films that made it to the Top 10 Audience Choice Films at the 2026 International Film Festival Rotterdam in the Netherlands. 

In Aubrey Carampel's report on "24 Oras," Friday, Glaiza De Castro shared that "58th" also received a standing ovation from the audience following its premiere. 

"They stood there clapping and staying after the screening, so parang, pagtingin ko kay direk [Carl Joseph Papa], naiiyak siya kasi hindi niya in-expect 'yun," she said. 

Glaiza portrays the role of Reynafe Castillo, the daughter of the late photojournalist Reynaldo "Bebot" Momay, in the film. Bebot is considered the 58th victim of the Maguindanao massacre, although his body was never found

About 400 films were shown at the IFFR this year. "58th" ranks 9th in the final standings results of the IFFR 2026 Audience Award with a score of 4.485. The films in the list were chosen by festival visitors who voted for the film that appealed to them the most using digital voting cards. 

Glaiza attended the film's premiere at the IFFR alongside GMA Pictures Executive Vice President and GMA Public Affairs Senior Vice President Nessa Valdellon and film director Carl Joseph Papa. 

In Carampel's report, the Kapuso actress shared how she was impacted by the film's emotional weight, as well as how it inspired her to be courageous. 

"Nakaka-relate ako dun sa love for father kasi habang ginagawa mo 'yun hindi mo maiwasan na ma-consume ka nung pain, 'yung darkness 'di ba, emotionally mabigat siya. Feeling ko matatapang 'yung characters na ginagampanan ko kasi pinapatapang din niya ako, bilang si Glaiza," she said. 

Glaiza turned emotional as she reflected on the fight for justice by the families of the Maguindanao massacre victims. 

"Bigla akong tumatapang, bigla kong na-i-inspire na alam mo 'yun, mas mabigat pa 'yung pinagdadaanan nila, mas masakit pa 'di ba, tapos sa dami ng problema na kinakaharap natin araw-araw minsan iisipin mo ang liit lang pala ng pinoproblema ko sa buhay," she shared. 

"Parang sa'kin tinutulungan niya ko bilang si Glaiza na maging malakas, na ma-inspire at mas magkaroon ng mas malalim pang purpose sa buhay."

"58th" follows the story of Reynafe as she continues her years-long fight for answers and her father's recognition as the massacre's 58th victim. Her story also reflects the grief of the victims' families and their pursuit of justice following the tragedy. 

Aside from Glaiza, "58th" stars the late Ricky Davao as Reynafe's father, Bebot. The film was Ricky's final project before his passing in May 2025. 

Blending animation with archival footage, "58th" retells the Maguindanao massacre for a new generation, ensuring the victims’ stories are not forgotten. It was screened at the 2026 International Film Festival Rotterdam in the Netherlands in January. 

The Maguindanao massacre happened on November 23, 2009, in the town of Ampatuan and is considered the deadliest single attack on journalists in world history. The massacre resulted in the death of 58 individuals, 32 of whom were journalists, including Bebot. 

In 2019, the Quezon City Court acquitted all the accused over Bebot’s death due to reasonable doubt and also dismissed his family's claim for damages.

In November 2025, Bebot’s family asked the Court of Appeals to judicially recognize him as the 58th victim in the Maguindanao massacre.

—CDC, GMA Integrated News