FILE PHOTOS
Filipino film and music legends “Superstar” Nora Aunor and “Asia’s Queen of Songs” Pilita Corrales were posthumously honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 2026 Manila International Film Festival (MIFF).
Actress Janine Gutierrez, granddaughter of both Aunor and Corrales, accepted the awards on their behalf at the MIFF Awards Gala in Beverly Hills, California, on Sept. 6.
Aunor, who starred in the classic 1982 film “Himala,” had a celebrated career spanning more than five decades. Her more recent films included “Pieta” and “Mananambal.”
Corrales made her name as one of the Philippines’ most celebrated singers while also building a career in film, with appearances in “Darna! Ang Pagbabalik,” “Bride for Rent” and numerous other movies.
Lea Salonga receives MIFF Icon Award
Broadway star Lea Salonga received the MIFF Icon Award and was honored with special performances by top artists, who paid tribute to her career.
View this post on Instagram
The award comes during a landmark year for Salonga, who is part of the cast of the highly anticipated animated film “Forgotten Island” and recently made history as the first Filipino to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Photo by Joe Cobilla
Biggest winners
Among the night’s biggest film winners were “Manila’s Finest,” a period thriller starring Piolo Pascual, which won Best Narrative Feature, and “58th,” a film about the Maguindanao massacre, which took Best Documentary Feature.
Photo from MIFF
Photo from MIFF
“Manila’s Finest” also won Best Cinematography, while Ashtine Olviga received Best Actress for her performance in the film.
Jericho Rosales won Best Actor for his portrayal of former Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon in “Quezon,” which had its Hollywood premiere at the festival. Directed by Jerrold Tarog, the historical drama is the third installment in his “Bayaniverse” trilogy following “Heneral Luna” and “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral.”
Photo from MIFF
“58th” earned Carl Joseph Papa the Best Director award while Reynafe Castillo received the Shining a Light award.
The post Nora Aunor, Pilita Corrales honored posthumously at MIFF 2026 appeared first on USNewsRank.