Why you should watch ‘2 Valid IDs’ and ‘Status: Rejected’ at Cinemalaya 2026 

Here’s what we think of two of Cinemalaya 2026’s box office hits

Coming of age – but make it centered on a middle-aged Filipina and a widow-lola, both powered by their desire to prove their existence to the world.

During the first weekend of the Cinemalaya Film Festival 2026, I had the chance to catch two of the nine full-length competition films: “2 Valid IDs” by Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagñalan, DGPI and “Status: Rejected” by Vahn Leinard C. Pascual. These films have also been declared box office hits eventually, together with “Mag-iina” and “Ganggang”. 

Despite spotlighting unique characters in completely different storylines, the two main characters Sylvia (from “2 Valid IDs”) and Virginia (from “Status: Rejected) share harrowing – and also hopeful – similarities.

Watch our spoil-free video to find out what they are. – Rappler.com