Top 12 Best Performances from "Pista Ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2018"

The annual Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino has finally concluded. Even so, we still can't get over the entries of this year's Pista. Eight original, proudly-Filipino films were shown in all cinemas nationwide from August 15-21, 2018 (though not that exclusively unlike last year). This festival which started last year is a week-long celebration that screens Filipino films exclusively for one (1) week in August in line with the Buwan ng Wika. Organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines in partnership with all theaters nationwide, the first festival back in 2017 was such a success that it led to another Pista this year.

And after watching all eight entries of this year's Pista, we decided to countdown the Top 12 Best Performances From 'Pista Ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2018'.

12. Edgar Allan Guzman in "Pinay Beauty".

Edgar Allan Guzman is Migs in Jay Abello's comedy drama, who ended up owing a P180K debt that he accumulated to help Annie, his girlfriend of 7 years in a perennial quest of the typical Filipina to look Caucasian. during the film's most emotional moments, he cries to Annie who just realized that the cost of her dream of becoming white is her boyfriend's life. "Mahal kita ng sobra, kaso sobra kang mahal!"

11. Mailes Angelina Kanapi in "Madilim Ang Gabi".

Adolf Alix Jr.'s EJK themed crime drama featured a multitude of celebrity cameos, enough to make Marvel's "Avengers : Infinity War" blush. But the most unforgettable cameo of them all was Mailes Angelina Kanapi (from films like "Matangtubig" and "Patay Na Si Hesus") and her heartbreaking moment in the film as a wife of a Japanese businessman who got kidnapped for ransom.

10. Devon Seron in "Bakwit Boys".

Everyone was stunned after Devon Seron's brilliant performance in Jason Paul Laxamana's romantic musical as she was able to showcase her acting chops and her amazing talent in singing. Her soulful voice was perfect for her character as she played Rose, a city girl who helped the Datul boys achieve their dreams in the film.

9. JC Santos in "The Day After Valentine's".

We got a very different JC Santos in this year's Pista as he plays Kai, a distraught man who's trying to fix his life after his break-up with his girlfriend. Portraying a man struggling with depression in Jason Paul Laxamana's latest tearjerker, he proved that he can take on any role given to time and nail it with flying colors.

8. Nikko Natividad in "Bakwit Boys"

Hashtag's Nikko Natividad surprised us with his impressive performance as the shy yet adorable Datul brother Philip in Jason Paul Laxamana's musical.

7. Erich Gonzales in "We Will Not Die Tonight".

Erich Gonzales shocked everyone with her unexpected turn in Richard Somes’ bloody action thriller. From her believable acting to her heart-stopping stunts, everything was on point.

6. Jameson Blake in "Ang Babaeng Allergic Sa Wifi".

Jameson Blake gives his finest performance to date in Jun Lana’s teen romcom. He will surely break your heart with his portrayal of Aries. He blew us away with that emotional scene as he and his brother reconciled, leading to an unexpected twist.

5. Vance Larena in "Bakwit Boys".

Theater star turned indie actor Vance Larena is absolutely brilliant in his sensitive portrayal of a tough yet caring brother in Jason Paul Laxamana’s musical. He manages to make his character stern but sympathetic, while sweeping audiences' hearts with his rockstar voice.

4. Felix Roco in "Madilim Ang Gabi".

One of the best performances from Adolf Alix Jr.’s crime drama is Felix Roco’s powerful turn as a drug user who is caught in the middle of Duterte’s drug war. You can really feel his emotions just by looking at his eyes. It says it all there.

3. Bela Padilla in "The Day After Valentine's".

Bela Padilla brought everyone to tears in her heart-breaking portrayal of  Lani, a strong, confident woman who seems to have answers to all of life’s most difficult questions. During the film's most gut-wrenching moment, he pleads to Kai to be with her. "I fixed you. Dapat akin ka... Ikaw na lang ang meron ako."
Her performance here cemented her status as one of the best actresses of this generation.

2. Nanding Josef in "Signal Rock" & "Bakwit Boys".

One of the most underrated actors of our industry, Nanding Josef truly deserves all the praise for his outstanding performance in two entries of this year’s Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino: "Signal Rock" & "Bakwit Boys".

1. Christian Bables in "Signal Rock".

Christian Bables’ magnificent performance in Chito S. Rono’s drama is one of the main reasons why “Signal Rock” is one of the best films of the year. Period.