Two ties in the top acting categories, breakthrough supporting performances, and a documentary’s Best Picture victory defined the 49th Gawad Urian Awards.
Philippine cinema had plenty to applaud at the 49th Gawad Urian Awards, but the evening’s biggest surprises came from its leading performers. In an unusual double decision, Jericho Rosales and Carlo Aquino shared Best Actor, while Maris Racal and Odette Khan tied for Best Actress—giving four performers the night’s two most coveted acting distinctions.
Held on October 8, 2026 at the Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium of De La Salle University–Manila, the ceremony brought together emerging talents, established performers, and distinguished filmmakers. Organized by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, the annual awards recognize artistic excellence in the Filipino film landscape.
Beyond the acting laurels, documentary Bloom Where You Are Planted emerged as the evening’s biggest winner, securing four awards, including Best Picture. Historical drama Quezon also collected four trophies, while Bar Boys: After School claimed three acting awards.
Jericho Rosales and Carlo Aquino share Best Actor feat
For Jericho Rosales, winning Best Actor for his portrayal of former Philippine president Manuel L. Quezon in Quezon carried personal significance. His acceptance speech reflected on a period when acting had begun to lose its meaning for him, and how the historical drama helped him rediscover his sense of purpose.
Rosales also paid tribute to veteran filmmaker Laurice Guillen, whom he regards as a maternal figure in his life. His performance earned him another Gawad Urian acting distinction following his previous recognition for Alagwa.
Sharing the honors was Carlo Aquino, recognized for Bar Boys: After School. The win marked a major career milestone for Aquino, who secured his first Gawad Urian Best Actor trophy after 10 nominations.
Unable to attend the ceremony, Aquino was represented by his wife, actress Charlie Dizon, herself a previous Gawad Urian Best Actress winner for Third World Romance. Dizon read his prepared acceptance speech, which acknowledged lawyers who continue to pursue justice.
The dual victory brought together two established actors whose winning projects approach Philippine history and society from different perspectives: one through political biography, the other through the personal and professional challenges surrounding the legal profession.
Maris Racal and Odette Khan: Two generations, one Best Actress award
The Best Actress category delivered another tie, with Maris Racal honored for Sunshine and veteran performer Odette Khan recognized for Bar Boys: After School.
Racal’s win marked a significant moment in her acting career. In her acceptance speech, she expressed surprise at receiving the award, recalling how winning a Gawad Urian had once been something she could only imagine. Her performance in Antoinette Jadaone’s Sunshine represents another major achievement in her transition from pop performer to acclaimed dramatic actress.
Khan, meanwhile, attended the ceremony to accept her award personally. Her victory offered recognition to an accomplished character actress whose career has spanned generations of Philippine film and television.
Their shared win became one of the evening’s defining moments: a younger performer reaching a career milestone alongside a seasoned actress receiving recognition for her continuing contributions to the craft.
The supporting categories offered their own standout stories
The spotlight also shone on two performers whose supporting roles made a strong impression on critics. Will Ashley and Jennica Garcia each earned their first Gawad Urian acting honors, etching new milestones in their respective careers.
Will Ashley won Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Arvin Asuncion in Bar Boys: After School, adding a major film accolade to his growing résumé. The recognition marked an important breakthrough for the young actor, whose performance contributed to the film’s three acting victories.
Meanwhile, Jennica Garcia received Best Supporting Actress for Sunshine. Director Antoinette Jadaone accepted the award on her behalf, completing a strong showing for the film alongside Racal’s Best Actress triumph.
Together, the supporting awards highlighted performers at different stages of their careers, underscoring the range of talent recognized by this year’s critics.
Bloom Where You Are Planted and Quezon dominate the major awards
While the acting categories produced the evening’s biggest surprises, Bloom Where You Are Planted and Quezon shared the distinction of collecting the highest number of awards.
Directed by Noni Abao, Bloom Where You Are Planted received Best Picture, Best Direction, Best Documentary, and Best Editing for Che Tagyamon. The documentary’s success placed nonfiction filmmaking at the forefront of the ceremony.
Quezon, meanwhile, earned Best Actor for Rosales, Best Cinematography for Pong Ignacio, Best Production Design for Monica Sebial, and Best Music for Jerrold Tarog. The four awards recognized both its central performance and its technical craftsmanship.
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Another significant moment was the presentation of the Natatanging Gawad Urian to Laurice Guillen, honoring her distinguished contributions to Philippine cinema as an actress, director, and filmmaker. The recognition was also announced through the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino’s official website.
Complete list of winners: 49th Gawad Urian Awards
Best Picture: Bloom Where You Are Planted (Alex Poblete, Taripnong Cagayan Valley)
Best Actor (Tie): Jericho Rosales (Quezon) and Carlo Aquino (Bar Boys: After School)
Best Actress (Tie): Maris Racal (Sunshine) and Odette Khan (Bar Boys: After School)
Best Supporting Actor: Will Ashley (Bar Boys: After School)
Best Supporting Actress: Jennica Garcia (Sunshine)
Best Direction: Noni Abao (Bloom Where You Are Planted)
Best Screenplay: Renei Dimla (Republika ng Pipolipinas)
Best Cinematography: Pong Ignacio (Quezon)
Best Production Design: Monica Sebial (Quezon)
Best Editing: Che Tagyamon (Bloom Where You Are Planted)
Best Music: Jerrold Tarog (Quezon)
Best Sound: Emilio Bien Sparks (Cinemartyrs)
Best Documentary: Bloom Where You Are Planted
Best Short Film: Cemento
Natatanging Gawad Urian: Laurice Guillen
An awards ceremony defined by shared victories, the 49th Gawad Urian offered a fitting portrait of Philippine cinema’s creative breadth. Veteran performers stood alongside younger talents, a documentary took home Best Picture, and stories about history, justice, and personal struggles found recognition across the major categories.
If this year’s winners are any indication, Philippine cinema has no shortage of compelling stories to tell—or exceptional talents to tell them.
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