The Philippines has secured a dominant presence at the Asian Academy Creative Awards, sweeping 25 National Winner selections to head into the Gala Awards Final at Singapore’s historic Capitol Theatre on December 3, 2026.
Photo: Vice Ganda/Instagram
Leading the Philippine contingent are box-office powerhouse Vice Ganda and acclaimed actress Nadine Lustre. Vice Ganda overcame a tight tiebreaker round to secure a Best Actor nomination for Call Me Mother, while his co-star Nadine Lustre punched her ticket to the grand final as Best Actress for her lead role in Viu’s Love, Siargao.
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Joining Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre are 23 other Philippine national winners spanning key acting, directing, news, and entertainment categories:
- Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Mon Confiado, Salvageland (Rein Entertainment Productions, VIVA Films)
- Best Actor/Actress in a Comedy Role: Michael V., Pepito Manaloto: The Story Continues (GMA Network, Inc.)
- Best Adaptation of an Existing Format (Non-Scripted): The Voice Kids Philippines 2025 – Grand Finale Episode (GMA Network, Inc., Entertainment Group)
- Best Adaptation of an Existing Format (Scripted): It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (ABS-CBN Studios)
- Best Animation: 58th (GMA Network, Inc., GMA Pictures)
- Best Cinematography (Fiction): Moises Zee, Drug War: A Conspiracy of Silence (Rein Entertainment, KC Global Media Asia)
- Best Comedy: Bubble Gang (GMA Network, Inc.)
- Best Direction (Feature Film): Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo, I’m Perfect (Nathan Studios Inc., CMB Tech Services, VL TF)
- Best Direction (Scripted): Onat Diaz, The Silent One (ABS-CBN Studios, Prime Video)
- Best Documentary (One-Off): The Atom Araullo Specials: Baby Maker (GMA Network, Inc., GMA Public Affairs)
- Best Documentary (History): Drawing on Water – The History of the West Philippine Sea (Digital Strategy and Innovation Lab, GMA News, GMA Network, Inc.)
- Best Documentary Series: Reporter’s Notebook: Saving Babies (GMA Network, Inc., GMA Public Affairs)
- Best Drama Series: The Silent Noise (ABS-CBN Studios, Prime Video)
- Best Editing: Lawrence Ang, Drug War: A Conspiracy of Silence (Rein Entertainment Productions, KC Global Media Asia)
- Best Entertainment Host: Rico Hizon, Rated R: The Rico Hizon Podcast (ABS-CBN News Digital, ABS-CBN Corporation)
- Best Factual Presenter: Charms Espina, PTV News Tonight (The People’s Television Network, PTV 4)
- Best Feature Film: Kontrabida Academy (UXS Inc., Netflix)
- Best Lifestyle Program: Drew’s Travels: Boracay Through the Eyes of the Locals (GMA Network, Inc., GMA Public Affairs)
- Best Music or Dance Program: Stars on the Floor (GMA Network, Inc.)
- Best News Program: One at Heart, Jessica Soho: Tacloban School Shooting (GMA Network, Inc., GMA Public Affairs)
- Best Original Production by a Streamer: Love, Siargao (Viu)
- Best Promo or Trailer: The Master Cutter Launch Trailer (GMA Network, Inc.)
- Best Screenplay: Jonathan Guillermo and Shugo Praico, Drug War: A Conspiracy of Silence (Rein Entertainment, KC Global Media Asia)
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A massive regional showing
The Philippines’ strong slate forms part of a broader 335 national winners across 39 categories representing 18 Asia-Pacific nations and territories.
Across the region, Singapore’s Mediacorp led overall company tallies with 23 wins, followed closely by Prime Video India (19), Malaysia’s Astro (19), and CNN (15).
Other major regional highlights include:
- Acting legends: Action icons Jackie Chan (Chinese Mainland) and Anil Kapoor (India) earned Best Feature Film honors for The Shadow’s Edge and Subedaar, respectively.
- Bittersweet wins for Malaysia: Horror feature Malam Terlarang (Forbidden Night) captured 4 categories, including Best Feature Film and Best Direction for the late Norhanisham bin Muhammad, who passed away in May.
- China & Japan top contenders: Chinese drama The Lead picked up a regional-high 6 category wins, while Japan’s Alice in Borderland clinched Best Drama Series (Japan).
- Singapore feature success: Singapore’s The Violinist took Best Feature Film, Best Animation, and Best Screenplay, with voice actor Ayden Sng also named Best Actor in a Leading Role (Singapore) for Double Helix.
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“Each year, these awards remind us just how much talent, ambition, and originality exists in our region. Our stories are becoming more confident, more distinctive, and more influential, not only in their home markets but with audiences all around the world,” said Beverley McGarvey, awards chairperson and president and streaming lead of Paramount ANZ, highlighting the expanding reach of regional content.
With entries matching last year’s record numbers and jurors participating from 38 countries, the Philippines now sets its sights on bringing home regional trophies at the Grand Final set for later this year in December.
ALSO READ: These 3 Films Are Vying to Represent the Philippines at the 2027 Academy Awards
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