Rochelle Pangilinan, Zanjoe Marudo, Zion Cruz bring first love and kundiman to 'Apol of My Ai'

Rochelle Pangilinan, Zanjoe Marudo, Zion Cruz bring first love and kundiman to 'Apol of My Ai'

At the heart of “Apol of My Ai,” one of seven full-length films competing in the 2026 CinePanalo Film Festival, is the coming-of-age story of Apol, a grade-schooler who discovers first love and the Filipino musical tradition of kundiman. Directed by Thop Nazareno, the film follows Apolinario “Apol” Medina Jr. (Zion Cruz) as he joins the Quiapo Elementary Chorale under Ma'am Ai (Rochelle Pangilinan). As he learns Filipino classics and develops an…