If you’ve ever wondered what makes a Filipino film, TV show, or performance truly award-worthy, you’re in the right place. The Philippines has built a rich tradition of celebrating excellence across entertainment and the arts through prestigious award-giving bodies that have shaped our cultural landscape for decades. From the silver screen to the stage, from written words to broadcast journalism, these institutions recognize the best of Filipino creativity and talent.
List of Award Categories:
- Film and Cinema Awards
- Television and Broadcasting Awards
- Theater and Performing Arts Awards
- Music Awards
- Literature and Writing Awards
- Film Festival-Specific Awards
Film and Cinema Awards
Philippine cinema has built a reputation for storytelling that resonates deeply with audiences, and these award-giving bodies have been recognizing that excellence for decades.
FAMAS Awards
When we talk about Philippine cinema awards, FAMAS is where it all started. The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards kicked off in 1952, making it the oldest film award-giving body in the country. For three decades straight, from 1952 to 1982, winning a FAMAS trophy was considered the highest honor anyone in the local movie industry could receive.
Seven writers founded FAMAS with a clear mission: create a more legitimate awards system than what came before it. Flavio G. Macaso, Vic Generoso, Mario Mijares Lopez, Clemente Roxas, Paulo Dizon, Amado Yasoma, and Eddie Infante set out to build something that would truly honor Filipino filmmakers and artisans.
FAMAS recognizes achievements across all the major categories you’d expect. Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, and a whole range of technical categories. The 73rd FAMAS Awards in August 2025 showed the institution is still going strong, with Vice Ganda, Marian Rivera, and Arjo Atayde taking home top acting honors.
Gawad Urian Awards
Since 1977, the Gawad Urian Awards has been the gold standard for film critics in the Philippines. Presented by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Filipino Film Critics), this is the award that makes filmmakers sit up and take notice.
The name itself tells you everything. “Gawad Urian” comes from the Tagalog words urian, which means a standard for gold, and gawad, which means award. It’s fitting because this is genuinely considered the highest award for a film given by critics in the country.
What sets Gawad Urian apart is that it’s the only major award-giving body in the Philippines to conduct its awards shows and presentations entirely in vernacular. But more than that, it’s earned its reputation through integrity. Throughout the years, the organization has never been tainted by accusations of vote buying or scandals. That clean record makes the Gawad Urian one of the most coveted awards in Philippine cinema.
FAP Luna Awards
Think of the Luna Awards as the Philippine counterpart to the Academy Awards. The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) started these awards in 1983, and they were originally known simply as the FAP Awards until 2005 when they adopted the Luna Awards name.
The Luna Awards recognize outstanding achievements across 12 competitive categories. What makes it special is that industry peers vote within their respective fields, so you’re being judged by people who truly understand your craft. Recent ceremonies have celebrated both mainstream excellence and independent cinema contributions, with special awards honoring lifetime achievements and exemplary service to Philippine cinema.
PMPC Star Awards for Movies
The Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) launched the Star Awards for Movies in 1985, and it’s become a major fixture in recognizing outstanding films and personalities in Philippine cinema. The PMPC also runs the Star Awards for Television, which we’ll talk about later.
Recent editions have recognized both mainstream and independent films. Categories span everything from major awards like Movie of the Year to technical achievements in cinematography, editing, sound, and production design. It’s comprehensive coverage of everything that makes a film great.
Metro Manila Film Festival
Every Christmas season, Filipino families flock to cinemas for the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). It’s become a beloved tradition, and the festival culminates in the prestigious Gabi ng Parangal (Awards Night).
The 50th MMFF in 2024 was a milestone celebration. Awards were presented across categories including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Editing, Best Visual Effects, and Best Sound Engineering. Special awards like the Gender Sensitivity Award and the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence show how the festival continues to evolve and recognize different aspects of filmmaking excellence.
Cinemalaya
Since 2005, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival has been developing and promoting Filipino independent films. Organized by the Cinemalaya Foundation with support from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, this festival holds an annual competition where the coveted Balanghai Trophy is awarded for Best Film.
The 21st Cinemalaya in 2025 awarded the documentary “Bloom Where You Are Planted” with Best Film honors. This showcases the festival’s commitment to diverse storytelling and giving independent filmmakers a platform to shine.
Television and Broadcasting Awards
From primetime dramas to breaking news coverage, Philippine television has shaped how millions of Filipinos experience stories and stay informed, with these awards celebrating the best in broadcasting excellence.
PMPC Star Awards for Television
The Philippine Movie Press Club founded the Star Awards for Television in 1987, and it’s been recognizing outstanding achievements in Philippine television ever since. The 38th edition held in 2025 honored industry legends with posthumous tributes while presenting major awards.
GMA Network won Best TV Station, showing their continued dominance in Philippine broadcasting. The awards cover everything from Best Drama Actor and Actress to Best Supporting Actor and Actress, and Best Drama Series. Programs can even be welcomed into the Hall of Fame for groundbreaking impact on Philippine broadcasting.
Box Office Entertainment Awards
Organized by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation, the Box Office Entertainment Awards honor outstanding personalities, films, and programs in Philippine media. This is all about recognizing who’s connecting with audiences and making waves at the box office.
The 53rd Box Office Entertainment Awards in 2025 recognized phenomenal box office achievements. Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards were crowned Phenomenal Box-Office Queen and King of Philippine Cinema respectively. The awards span film, television, and music categories, including honors for recording artists, concert performers, and entertainment programs.
ANVIL Awards
The ANVIL Awards stands as the Philippines’ highest award-giving body in public relations. Presented by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the awards celebrated their 61st year in 2025.
These awards recognize campaigns that create real impact across industries and communities. Entries are evaluated based on clear objectives aligned with organizational mission, strategic insights and execution, measurable results and impact, and compelling storytelling that transforms reports into resonant narratives. It’s about the campaigns that genuinely move the needle.
Catholic Mass Media Awards
Established in 1978 by the late Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) honors individuals and institutions using media to promote truth, uphold human dignity, and inspire social responsibility consistent with Church teachings.
The 47th CMMA in 2025 recognized media projects that display authenticity, inspiration, and emotional depth across radio, television, print, and online categories. It’s a reminder that media can be a force for good in society.
Anak TV Seal Awards
The Anak TV Seal Awards recognizes child-friendly and child-sensitive television programs and online content in the Philippines. As an advocacy organization promoting television literacy and child-sensitive programming, Anak TV conducts voting through thousands of parents and professionals.
Symposia and screenings are held in major schools and universities throughout Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Programs receiving the Anak TV Seal are deemed suitable for children and families, giving parents peace of mind about what their kids are watching.
Theater and Performing Arts Awards
The stage has always held a special place in Filipino culture, where live performances create magic that connects performers and audiences in ways no screen ever could.
Gawad Buhay
Established by Philstage in 2008, Gawad Buhay (Philstage Awards for the Performing Arts) is the country’s first and only industry awards in theater. The first edition was held on February 18, 2009, and awards are presented annually at the National Theater in the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
This is considered the highest award in performing arts in the Philippines. Think of it as the local counterpart of Broadway’s Tony Awards or the West End’s Olivier Awards. The 15th Gawad Buhay Awards in 2025 saw Tanghalang Pilipino emerge as the big winner, taking home 17 of 26 competitive prizes for its productions of Balete and Pingkian: Isang Musikal.
An independent jury selects nominees and winners from eligible productions by Philstage member companies. Categories include Outstanding Production, Stage Direction, Lead and Supporting Performances, Ensemble Performance, Set Design, Costume Design, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Choreography, and Musical Direction.
Aliw Awards
Since 1976, the Aliw Awards has been recognizing excellence in live entertainment. Established by journalist Alice H. Reyes under the auspices of the National Press Club of the Philippines, the inaugural ceremony took place in 1977, making it the first and oldest award-giving body for live entertainers in the Philippines.
These awards celebrate outstanding achievements in concerts, theater, dance, comedy, hosting, and other forms of live performance. The 37th Aliw Awards in December 2024 presented over 50 categories, with Julie Ann San Jose taking home the coveted Entertainer of the Year award. The awards also honor lifetime achievement, excellence, and hall of fame inductees who have made significant contributions to the Philippine live entertainment industry.
Music Awards
Original Pilipino Music has given us anthems that define generations, love songs that soundtrack our lives, and artists who’ve become cultural icons.
Awit Awards
The Awit Awards, presented annually by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) since 1969, recognizes outstanding achievements in the music industry. The word “Awit” literally means “song” in Filipino.
After being discontinued in 1972, PARI brought back the awards in 1988 and continues to handle these prestigious honors today. The 38th Awit Awards powered by Vibe in November 2025 featured a rigorous judging process with 78 judges comprising OPM’s most trusted artists, producers, composers, and creative leaders.
Awards are presented across five major categories: Performance Awards, Genre Recording Awards, Special Recording Awards, Technical Achievement Awards, and the prestigious Grand Awards. Major nominees for 2025 included BINI, Lola Amour, and Dionela in categories such as Song of the Year and Album of the Year.
Literature and Writing Awards
Filipino writers have crafted stories, poems, and essays that capture the Filipino experience in all its complexity, with these awards honoring the power of the written word.
Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature
Ask any Filipino writer about their dream award, and the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature will likely be at the top of the list. Popularly known as the Palanca Awards, this is the longest-running and most prestigious literary competition in the Philippines, established in 1950.
The awards recognize Filipino writers across 22 categories spanning English, Filipino, regional languages (Iluko, Cebuano, Hiligaynon), and a special Kabataan Division for high school students. Categories include Novel, Short Story, Short Story for Children, Essay, Poetry, Poetry Written for Children, One-Act Play, and Full-Length Play.
Over its 72-year history, the Palanca Awards have recognized 2,677 winning works including 685 short stories, 432 collections of poetry, 274 essays, 406 one-act plays, 234 full-length plays, and 51 novels. The Palanca Hall of Fame award, instituted in 1995, honors writers who have achieved five first prizes in regular categories. The 72nd Palanca Awards in 2024 recognized 54 writers and inducted four new Hall of Fame awardees.
National Book Awards
Organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Manila Critics Circle, the National Book Awards honors the most outstanding book titles written, designed, and published in the Philippines.
The 42nd National Book Awards in 2024 deliberated 326 books submitted across 31 categories in four languages: English, Filipino, Bikol, and Ilokano. Categories include Best Novel, Best Book of Short Fiction (with the National Artist Cirilo F. Bautista Prize for English and the Gerardo P. Cabochan Prize for Filipino), Best Book of Nonfiction Prose (with the Pablo A. Tan Prize for English), Best Anthology, Best Book of Literary Criticism/Cultural Studies, Best Book on Drama and Film, Best Book of Poetry, and categories for translated works.
Film Festival-Specific Awards
Beyond the major annual awards, film festivals across the Philippines have become launching pads for fresh voices and bold storytelling that pushes boundaries.
QCinema International Film Festival
Held annually in Quezon City, QCinema International Film Festival showcases local and international films with competition sections including Asian Next Wave, QC Shorts International, New Horizons (for first films), and RainbowQC (for LGBTQ films).
The 12th QCinema in 2024 awarded the Pylon Award for Best Picture to “Viet and Nam” by Truong Minh Quy, while Elizabeth Lo received Best Director for “Mistress Dispeller”. The festival also presents NETPAC Awards for Asian cinema, Gender Sensitivity Awards, and Critics’ Prizes.
ToFarm Film Festival
Initiated to highlight the aspirations and journeys of Filipino farmers, the ToFarm Film Festival presents awards in categories including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Production Design, Best Music, and Best Sound.
The festival’s trophy symbolizes Philippine agriculture, with a woman representing the nation’s nourishment who cultivates land and delivers produce to feed Filipino families. It’s a beautiful recognition of the backbone of our nation.
Entertainment Editors’ Choice Awards (The EDDYS)
Established in 2015 by the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd), The EDDYS honors craftsmen, actors, writers, directors, workers, and producers in the Philippine film industry.
The 8th EDDYS in July 2025 saw GMA Pictures’ “Green Bones” sweep major categories including Best Picture, Best Director, and multiple acting honors. The awards recognize excellence in both mainstream and independent cinema across acting, directing, writing, technical, and production categories.
Young Critics Circle Film Desk Awards
Established in 1990, the Young Critics Circle (YCC) Film Desk Awards is a society of film critics and award-giving body composed of members of Philippine academe.
The 35th YCC Film Desk Awards in 2025 recognized “Tumandok” as Best Film, praising its “ambitious yet restrained storytelling, striking visuals, and powerful example of community cinema”. The YCC presents awards for Best Film, Best First Feature, Best Performance, Best Screenplay, Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual Design, Best Achievement in Film Editing, and Best Achievement in Sound and Aural Orchestration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most prestigious film award in the Philippines?
The Gawad Urian Awards is widely considered the most prestigious film award in the Philippines. Presented by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Filipino Film Critics) since 1977, it’s regarded as the highest award a film can receive from critics in the country. The awards have maintained their integrity throughout the years, never tainted by vote-buying scandals.
What is the Philippine equivalent of the Oscars?
The FAP Luna Awards, presented by the Film Academy of the Philippines, is considered the Philippine counterpart of the Academy Awards. Established in 1983, the Luna Awards recognize outstanding achievements across 12 competitive categories voted on by industry peers within their respective fields.
What is the oldest award-giving body in the Philippines?
The FAMAS (Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences) Awards, established in 1952, is the oldest film award-giving body in the Philippines. For theater and live entertainment, the Aliw Awards holds the distinction of being the first and oldest award-giving body for live entertainers, with its inaugural ceremony in 1977.
How do you win a Palanca Award?
To win a Palanca Award, you submit your literary work to the annual Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature competition. Works are judged across 22 categories spanning English, Filipino, regional languages, and a special Kabataan Division for high school students. Winning entries demonstrate exceptional literary merit in categories including Novel, Short Story, Essay, Poetry, One-Act Play, and Full-Length Play.
What makes the Gawad Buhay different from other Philippine awards?
Gawad Buhay is the country’s first and only industry awards specifically for theater and performing arts. Established by Philstage in 2008, it serves as the local counterpart of Broadway’s Tony Awards or the West End’s Olivier Awards. An independent jury selects nominees and winners from eligible productions by Philstage member companies, making it the highest award in performing arts in the Philippines.
Are there awards for independent films in the Philippines?
Yes, several awards specifically recognize independent films. Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, established in 2005, awards the Balanghai Trophy for Best Film. The Entertainment Editors’ Choice Awards (The EDDYS) and Young Critics Circle Film Desk Awards also recognize excellence in both mainstream and independent cinema.
What is the Metro Manila Film Festival?
The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is an annual film festival held during the Christmas season in the Philippines. The festival showcases Filipino films and culminates in the prestigious Gabi ng Parangal (Awards Night), where awards are presented across numerous categories. The 50th MMFF was celebrated in 2024.
How are Awit Awards winners selected?
The Awit Awards, presented by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI), features a rigorous judging process. The 38th Awit Awards in 2025 had 78 judges comprising OPM’s most trusted artists, producers, composers, and creative leaders who evaluate entries across five major categories: Performance Awards, Genre Recording Awards, Special Recording Awards, Technical Achievement Awards, and the Grand Awards.
What TV awards do Filipino networks compete for?
Filipino networks compete for several prestigious awards including the PMPC Star Awards for Television (where GMA Network won Best TV Station in 2025), the Box Office Entertainment Awards, the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA), and the Anak TV Seal Awards for child-friendly programming. These awards recognize excellence in broadcasting, programming, and public service.
Can student writers win Philippine literary awards?
Yes, the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature includes a special Kabataan Division specifically for high school students. This division allows young writers to compete and be recognized for their literary talents across various categories. Additionally, many regional and specialized literary competitions in the Philippines welcome student submissions.
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