Two actors behind two of the most memorable queer romances in recent Philippine screen history are finally sharing the spotlight.
Khalil Ramos, who starred in the acclaimed queer coming-of-age film “2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten,” and Ian Pangilinan, who captured the hearts of BL fans as Vlad in the hit series “Gaya sa Pelikula,” are joining forces for “Patay Gutom,” a supernatural BL romance competing in the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival.
For Filipino BL fans, the pairing itself is a significant moment.
Khalil and Ian come from two landmark projects that emerged during different periods in the evolution of queer storytelling in the Philippines. Now, they meet in an unconventional love story that literally crosses the boundaries between life and death.
TWO QUEER SCREEN FAVORITES, ONE UNUSUAL ROMANCE
In “Patay Gutom,” Ian plays Tristan, a grumpy and withdrawn delivery rider whose seemingly harmless mistake changes his life: he eats a food offering left at a grave.
The offering belongs to Arturo “Art” Aquino, a lonely ghost portrayed by Khalil.
That unexpected bite gives Tristan the ability to “see” Art, setting off a relationship that neither of them could have anticipated. What begins as an eerie encounter gradually develops into an intimate connection as the two uncover family secrets, confront their respective heartaches, and discover feelings that become increasingly complicated by one undeniable fact—one of them is already dead.
The film also features screen veterans Agot Isidro as Yolly and Cris Villanueva as Ruel.
FROM “GAYA SA PELIKULA” TO “PATAY GUTOM”
Ian Pangilinan became one of the recognizable faces of the Philippine BL wave through “Gaya sa Pelikula,” where his portrayal of Vlad opposite Paolo Pangilinan’s Karl earned a passionate following.
With “Patay Gutom,” Ian returns to queer romance, but takes on a dramatically different challenge. Beyond portraying Tristan, he is also making his feature directorial debut, co-directing the film with acclaimed animation filmmaker Carl Joseph Papa.
In an Instagram post announcing the project, Ian described the experience of developing the film with Papa as “a fun rollercoaster ride.”
His description of the film itself was much more concise:
“A story about love and grief.”
KHALIL RETURNS TO QUEER ROMANCE
Khalil Ramos, meanwhile, holds his own important place in contemporary Philippine queer cinema.
He starred as Felix in Petersen Vargas’ “2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten,” the acclaimed 2016 coming-of-age film that explored desire, masculinity, and obsession years before the Philippine BL boom entered the mainstream.
A decade later, Khalil returns to another queer romantic story—this time portraying a ghost.
Art also exists in animated form, while Tristan inhabits a live-action world, making “Patay Gutom” a hybrid of animation and live action. The creative approach adds another dimension to their unconventional romance: the two characters are not only separated by vastly different circumstances, but also exist across different dimensions.
For Khalil, the project also marks a return to the CinePanalo Film Festival after he won Best Actor for “Olsen’s Day” in 2025.
A BL PAIRING YEARS IN THE MAKING
Bringing Khalil Ramos and Ian Pangilinan together carries a sense of nostalgia for audiences who have witnessed the evolution of Filipino queer stories on screen.
One actor emerged from an acclaimed queer film that arrived before the local BL phenomenon, while the other became a standout of one of the genre’s most beloved series during its breakthrough era.
Now, “Patay Gutom” brings the two together in an unlikely romance involving a delivery rider, a hungry ghost, Philippine folklore, and the possibility of falling for someone you were never supposed to meet.
“Patay Gutom” is one of seven full-length films competing in the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, which runs from September 23 to October 4 at Gateway Cineplex 18, TriNoma, Fairview Terraces, Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, and Market! Market!
Regular tickets are priced at ₱250, while discounted tickets are available for ₱200 for PWDs, senior citizens, students, national athletes, and Aling Puring and Perks cardholders.
For audiences who want to experience the entire festival lineup, a ₱2,000 festival pass provides access to all seven full-length films and 19 student shorts.
Festival passes will be available starting September 22 at Gateway Cineplex 18, and from September 23 onwards at Gateway Cineplex 18 and TriNoma.
The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2026 is sponsored by Alaska, Angel, Argentina, Ariel, Bingo, Birch Tree Fortified, Bear Brand, C2, Century Tuna, Champion, Chuckie, Coca-Cola, Colgate, Cream Silk, Datu Puti, Downy, GoodNom Fresh, Great Taste, Del Monte, Jack ‘N Jill, Knorr, Lucky Me!, Maggi, Magnolia Real Mayonnaise, Milo, Monde, MY San, Nestea, Nissin, Nivea, Palmolive Naturals, Pantene, Purefoods, Rebisco, Royal, Safeguard, Sprite, Surf, Wilkins, and Zonrox.
