THE CINEMALAYA Philippine Independent Film Festival has awarded the Balanghai trophy for Best Ensemble Performance eight times: Tribu (2007), Mga Mumunting Lihim (2012), Transit (2013), #Y (2014), Hiblang Abo (2016), Duyan ng Magiting (2023), Open Endings (2025), and Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam (2026).
Tribu (2007) stars real-life rival gang members from Tondo who portrayed the film’s characters. The story unfolds through the eyes of Ebet, a 10-year-old boy who witnesses a random street killing that ignites a vicious gang war among juvenile “tribes.” The film prominently features underground hip-hop culture, freestyle gangsta rap, local street language, and the harsh realities of urban poverty.
Mga Mumunting Lihim (2012) stars Judy Ann Santos, Iza Calzado, Janice de Belen, and Agot Isidro. The film follows four female friends and the secrets that test their friendship. It explores forgiveness, acceptance, and the resilience of genuine friendship as the characters confront painful revelations and try to rebuild their bond.
Transit (2013) stars Irma Adlawan, Marc Alvarez, Mercedes Cabral, Jasmine Curtis, and Ping Medina. The film traces the intersecting lives of five Filipino migrant workers confronting a sudden crisis after a new Israeli law mandates the deportation of children of foreign workers under the age of five. At its center is Moises, a single father forced to hide his young son, Joshua, from immigration authorities.
#Y (2014) stars Sophie Albert, Coleen Garcia, Elmo Magalona, Chynna Ortaleza, and Kit Thompson. The film chronicles the lives of affluent modern-day youth. It centers on Miles, a college student struggling with suicidal thoughts, against the backdrop of his circle’s fast-paced lifestyle of social media, parties, drugs, and alcohol.
Hiblang Abo (2016) features Lou Veloso, Jun Urbano, Leo Rialp, and Nanding Josef. The story follows four elderly men spending their twilight years in a hospice as they grapple with fading memories, unending struggles, and the shared inevitability of death.
Duyan ng Magiting (2023) stars Dolly de Leon, Bituin Escalante, Agot Isidro, Miggy Jimenez, Jojit Lorenzo, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Paolo O’Hara, Joel Saracho, and Dylan Ray Talon. The film weaves together stories about life and violence in the Philippines through a college professor, a university chancellor, a social worker, a police chief, two students, two mothers, and a lawyer.
The cast was cited for “powerful acting that credibly renders the opposing viewpoints in the history of political violence and culture of impunity that seem to have bedevilled the Philippines since the turn of the new century.”
Open Endings (2025) stars Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Janella Salvador, Klea Pineda, and Leanne Mamonong. The sapphic film follows four queer women in their 30s – ex-girlfriends who have remained friends – as they navigate the best and worst moments of romance, friendship, and lingering ties from the past.
The cast was cited for “the seamless chemistry, emotional depth, and playful vitality of four performances that breathe life into a rare story of chosen family and intimacy; and for capturing with honesty, humor, and grace the enduring bonds between queer women navigating love, loss, and friendship.”
Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam (2026) features Martin Del Rosario, Yayo Aguila, Miguel Oldron, and Epy Quizon. Neil and Bong are closeted gay men whose relationship is known only to their immediate families – Bong’s parents and Neil’s mother. Bong’s true illness, HIV, which eventually leads to his death, is concealed and publicly presented as the less stigmatized and more socially acceptable stage 4 colon cancer.
The cast was cited for “their deeply cohesive and moving portrayals; for authentically rendering through their characters the tender dynamics and throbbing warmth of Philippine family life; for bringing profound tenderness to an agonizing existential crisis; and for portraying a devoted partner and a loving family united in care and grief as they stand by their terribly sick loved one’s side.”
Beyond the ensemble category, Cinemalaya has also recorded ties in the Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Special Jury Prize categories.
In 2024, Marian Rivera (Balota) and Gabby Padilla (Kono Basho) shared the Best Actress award. In 2026, the honor was shared by Marietta “Pokwang” Subong (2 Valid IDs) and Ruby Ruiz (Status: Rejected).
The Best Supporting Actress award was shared in 2016 by Lollie Mara (Ang Bagong Pamilya ni Ponching) and Elizabeth Oropesa (I America).
The 2026 Best Supporting Actor award ended in a tie between Lucas Andalio (Mag-Iina) and K.D. Omalin (Hand of God).
In 2009, the Special Jury Prize was shared by Alvin Yapan’s Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe and Jobin Ballesteros’ Colorum.
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Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the Seafarers’ Division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan Law Offices. For comments, email info@sapalovelez.com or call 0908-8665786./PN
