Rochelle Pangilinan’s Cinemalaya Win Marks a New Chapter in Her Career
by
Alexa Villano
October 13, 2025
Rochelle Pangilinan played Alicia, the devoted mother of Max, in the Cinemalaya film Child No. 82: Anak ni Boy Kana
Rochelle Pangilinan has come a long way since her early days as a member of the iconic dance group Sexbomb in the early 2000s. Now a mother, actress, and performer, Rochelle has added a major achievement to her career: Best Supporting Actress at the Cinemalaya Film Festival.
In her Instagram post, Rochelle expressed how surreal it felt to be recognized for her acting.
“Winning Best Supporting Actress at Cinemalaya—grabe, sobrang laki ng puso ko ngayon. I poured my soul into this role, and to be recognized in this way… parang panaginip,” she wrote.
She went on to thank those who supported her, including her husband, actor-dancer Arthur Solinap, their daughter Shiloh, her management team at GMA Sparkle and PPL Entertainment, and the entire Child No. 82 production team.
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“This isn’t just my win. It’s ours. Today, I can finally say it with all my heart — I AM AN ACTRESS.”
Her co-star, JM Ibarra (who played Max), also celebrated her win online, calling Rochelle his “mah.” In another post, Rochelle wrote: “Nagising ako… akala ko panaginip lang… totoo pala!! Shax! Nanalo nga ako. Coach @rgalferez, ibang klase ka!”— referring to her acting coach Ruth Alferez, who helped shape her performance.
Who is Alicia in Child No. 82?
Rochelle’s character, Alicia, is a mother who once worked as a wardrobe assistant in a film by Maximo “Boy Kana” Samaniego Sr. When Alicia became pregnant, Boy Kana—who was married—refused to initially acknowledge paternity and questioned her fidelity. Although he and his wife eventually offered to take Max in, Alicia couldn’t bear the idea of never seeing her son again.
She fled with Max to Pinili, Ilocos, where she sold Inabel (handwoven textiles) to support his schooling. Their relationship is tested as Max grows older and becomes curious about his late father. In the end, he comes to understand that the image of Boy Kana onscreen was far removed from the man in real life.
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Motherhood On and Off Screen
What makes this role even more powerful is how it reflects Rochelle’s real-life journey as a mother. Her portrayal of Alicia—a woman making painful sacrifices for her child—mirrors the sacrifices, strength, and resilience many mothers live out every day.
While Rochelle has taken on numerous acting roles over the years, this Cinemalaya win has ignited a new fire in her.
As she and the rest of the Sexbomb dancers prepare for a reunion concert this December, it’s clear: we haven’t seen the last of Rochelle Pangilinan, the actress, or the mother who continues to inspire on and off screen.
