PMPC Star Awards to crown its Hall of Famers

The 42nd PMPC Star Awards for Movies is set to make history this year. Alongside the highly anticipated acting categories featuring some of Philippine cinema’s biggest stars, the 2026 ceremony will also introduce a new distinction, the Hall of Fame honors.

Leading the milestone is Vilma Santos-Recto, who becomes the first recipient of the Hall of Fame for Movie Actress of the Year after winning the top acting prize 10 times. National Artist Ricky Lee will likewise be inducted into the Hall of Fame for Movie Screenwriter of the Year with 11 victories, while veteran sound engineer Albert Michael Idioma earns the same distinction after collecting 16 awards in his category.

The historic recognition takes center stage when the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) stages the 42nd Star Awards for Movies on 25 October at the Winford Hotel in Manila.

“This is the first time in PMPC history that deserving artists will be elevated to the Hall of Fame,” PMPC president Fernan De Guzman said, describing the recognition as one of the evening’s defining moments.

Still, competition remains fierce across the major categories.

The Movie Actor of the Year race pits box-office draw Vice Ganda against dramatic heavyweights Piolo Pascual, Jericho Rosales, Baron Geisler, Joshua Garcia, JC Santos and JM De Guzman.

Equally competitive is the Movie Actress of the Year category, where Maricel Soriano, Charo Santos-Concio, Nadine Lustre, Angelica Panganiban, Bela Padilla, Maris Racal and Mylene Dizon vie for top honors.

Beyond the Hall of Fame awards, Sharon Cuneta will receive the Nora Aunor Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades-long contribution to Philippine cinema. Veteran actor Rez Cortez will also be honored with an Ulirang Artista recognition for his enduring career and service to the film industry, while producer Alex Muhlach will receive the Ulirang Alagad ng Pelikula sa Likod ng Kamera Lifetime Achievement Award.

This year’s ceremony also introduces a new competitive category, Documentary Movie of the Year, expanding PMPC’s recognition of Filipino filmmaking.

The event is headed by De Guzman as overall chairman, with former PMPC president Melba Llanera serving as chairman. Revival King Jojo Mendrez produces the awards night under EV Production and Events, while Vivian Poblete Blancaflor directs the show.