1st PAFTA Awards 2026: Complete List of Winners as Balota Leads Historic Night

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine entertainment industry marked a historic milestone on February 21, 2026, with the staging of the inaugural Philippine Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards (PAFTA) at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel.

The first-ever PAFTA Awards honored excellence in Filipino film, television, and theater, bringing together major stars, filmmakers, TV personalities, and industry leaders in a night celebrating creative achievement across multiple platforms.

Among the biggest winners of the evening was Balota, which clinched the coveted Best Film award. In acting categories, Dennis Trillo and Marian Rivera were among the standout honorees, while television heavyweights such as Coco Martin and Anne Curtis also took home awards.

Below is the complete list of winners.

Film

• Best Film: Balota

• Best Director: Gabby Ramos — When Magic Hurts

• Best Actor: Dennis Trillo — Green Bones

• Best Actress (Tie): Marian Rivera — Balota and Rebecca Chuaunsu — Her Locket

• Best Supporting Actor: Will Ashley — Balota

• Best Supporting Actress: Gabby Padilla — Uninvited

• Best Child Actor: Enzo Osorio — The Hearing

• Best Child Actress: Eli Ilano — Nanay Tatay

• Best Producer: ABS-CBN and GMA Pictures — Hello, Love, Again

• Best Documentary Film: No Man Left Behind

• Best Inspirational Film: Mamay: A Journey to Greatness

• Best Short Film: As the Moth Flies

Film Technical

• Best Screenplay: Anj Atienza and Ricky Lee — Green Bones

• Best Original Story: Rebecca Chuaunsu — Her Locket

• Best Production Design: Jed Sicanggco and Jerann Ordinario — Outside

• Best Cinematography: Neil Daza — Green Bones

• Best Editing: Lawrence Fajardo and Ysabelle Denoga — The Hearing

• Best Visual Effects: Gaspar Mangarin and Walter Monte — Espantaho

• Best Sound: Narra Post Production — Balota

• Best Original Theme Song: “Luha sa Dilim” by Yanco — Guilty Pleasure

Television

• Best Drama Series: FPJ's Batang Quiapo

• Best Drama Anthology: Magpakailanman

• Best Drama Actor: Coco Martin — FPJ’s Batang Quiapo

• Best Drama Actress: Carla Abellana — Widows’ War

• Best Reality Show: Pinoy Big Brother — Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0

• Best Variety Show: ASAP

• Best Male TV Host: Dingdong Dantes — Family Feud

• Best Female TV Host: Anne Curtis — It’s Showtime

• Best Comedy Show: Bubble Gang

• Best Celebrity Talk Show: Fast Talk with Boy Abunda

• Best Morning Show: Unang Hirit

• Best Noontime Show: It's Showtime

• Best News Program: 24 Oras

• Best Documentary Program: I-Witness

• Best Television Station: GMA Network

Theater

• Contemporary Theater Award: Walang Aray

• Musical Theater Award: One More Chance

• National Cultural Impact and Educational Theater Award: Juan Luna: Isang Sarsuela — Vince Tañada

• Performing Arts Recognition Award: Gerald Magallanes

• Rising Star of Stage Award: Peter Parker Tañada

• Promising Theater Artist: Manwyn San Pedro Valencia — Awin

Special Awards

• Modern Grand Slam Best Actress Award: Marian Rivera

• Icon of Philippine Cinema: Vilma Santos

• Iconic Film Performance Award: Judy Ann Santos

• Box Office Star Award: Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo

• Special Citation for Global Excellence: SB19

• Youth Icon Award: Andres Muhlach and Kai Montinola

• Breakthrough Performance Award: Euwenn Mikaell

• Most Promising Star Award: Kian Co

• Journalism Lifetime Achievement Award: Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho

• Excellence in Business News Award: Agenda

Post-humous Awards

• Nora Aunor

• Gloria Romero