‘Babaye sa Bubon,’ ‘Kundoktor’ Lead Winners at 9th Sine Negrense Film Festival Awards 

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental — The 9th Sine Negrense: Negros Island Film Festival honored the region’s outstanding filmmakers and student storytellers during its Awarding Ceremony held on June 20, 2026, at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol Social Hall.

The festival showcased films from both the Open Competition and Inter-School categories, recognizing excellence in directing, acting, screenplay, cinematography, and other filmmaking disciplines. Festival screenings were conducted from December 3 to 6, 2025, at the Cinematheque Centre Negros.

In the Open Competition Category, “Babaye sa Bubon” emerged as the festival’s top winner, earning the Best Film award along with a cash prize of P30,000. The film also garnered several major awards, including Best Director for Ginboy Bataclit, Best Actress for Jonah Sabijon, and Best Sound Design for Ry Cortez and Wenny Lord Bacabac.

The Jury Prize, accompanied by P20,000 in cash, was awarded to “Pagdumdom,” which also secured awards for Best Screenplay (Mhika Jhella Cenizal), Best Supporting Actress (Jing Torrecampo), and Best Actor (Jessiah Makilan).

Other Open Category winners included Jade Clarence Susper for Best Cinematography for “Hilum,” Kyle Decana for Best Editing for “Handurawan,” Jehu Peria for Best Production Design for “Hilum,” Chaz Katalbas for Best Musical Score for “Kabay Pa,” and Johnwine Janipin for Best Supporting Actor for “Maria.”

The award for Best Original Song went to “Kaisog sa Imo Makita,” written by Jabez Rees Gonzales and Angel Kay Dejaros for the film “Hilum.”

Special Awards in the Open Category were presented to “Kabay Pa” for Best Trailer, “Pagdumdom” for Best Poster, and “Snatcher” for the People’s Choice Award.

Meanwhile, in the Inter-School Category, “Kundoktor” emerged as Best Film, receiving the top prize and P20,000 cash award. Its director, Joshua Pastora, also won Best Director and Best Screenplay honors.

The Jury Prize, together with P10,000 in cash, was awarded to “Ngaa Tugnaw ang Gab-i.” The film also produced the category’s Best Actor, Paco Gloria, and earned Best Production Design for Kyle David Ebro.

“Gugma sa Balod” dominated several technical awards, winning Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Musical Score, Best Sound Design, and Best Original Song. Khyle Anasta received multiple recognitions for his contributions to the film.

Acting honors in the student category were awarded to Fourth Dillomes of “Isa Ka Higayon” as Best Supporting Actor, Jing Torrecampo of “Gugma sa Balod” as Best Supporting Actress, Wilma Larrazabal of “Isa Ka Higayon” as Best Actress, and Paco Gloria of “Ngaa Tugnaw ang Gab-i” as Best Actor.

Special Awards in the Inter-School Category went to “Hinangpanay” for both Best Trailer and Best Poster, while “Libod Para sa Handum” received the People’s Choice Award.

The Inter-School Category was judged by filmmaker and “Love Child” director Jonathan Jurilla, Negros Director and Manager Candy Nagrampa, and film professor Jag Garcia, who served as jury chairman.

The Open Competition jury was composed of Bakunawa Fest Festival Director Elvert Bañares, film critic and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Committee on Cinema head Tito Valiente, and award-winning filmmaker Jeffrey Jeturian, who served as jury chairman.

Serving as the guest and inspirational speaker during the awarding ceremony was Butch Ibañez, Chief Content Officer of Solar Studios, Inc. Addressing filmmakers, students, and festival supporters, Ibañez shared insights from his decades-long experience in the Philippine media and entertainment industry and encouraged aspiring storytellers to pursue excellence in filmmaking while remaining true to their unique voices and cultural roots. 

Festival organizers expressed their gratitude to the Film Development Council of the Philippines headed by Chairman Joey Reyes, Cinematheque Centre Negros, The Performance Laboratory Inc., The Negros Museum, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts led by Chairman Dr. Eric B. Zerrudo for their continued support of regional filmmaking initiatives.

The organizers also acknowledged the NCCA Committee on Cinema, former committee chair and Solar Studios Chief Content Officer Butch Ibañez, volunteers from the University of St. La Salle’s IWAG Image Makers Collective and the Maskara Theatre Ensemble, and the Province of Negros Occidental under Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” V. Lacson and Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando P. Diaz II for helping make the event possible.

Now on its ninth edition, the Sine Negrense: Negros Island Film Festival continues to serve as a platform for showcasing the talents of filmmakers across Negros Island and nurturing the next generation of regional storytellers.