Another milestone indeed for singer and actress Arci Muñoz after she received the Best International Filipino Actress at the Jinsei Arigatou International Film Festival for her film "Malditas in Maldives" recently.

During an intimate press interview on June 7, Arci shared her thoughts when she was announced as the winner.

"Natawa ako, then tumigin ako sa mama ko, tapos katabi ko si Kiray [Celis] nun, sabi ko sa kanya uy kiray ikaw yun. Inaasar namin siya nun, then nung ako na talaga yung tinawag sabi ko hala, then grabe din mag cheer nung mga kasama ko nun." Arci said.

(I laughed, then I looked at my mom, then Kiray [Celis] was next to me, I said to her, Kiray, that's you. We were teasing her, then when I was the one called, I was shocked, and they were cheering so loud for me)

Without any inkling of winning, Arci confessed she hadn't prepared a speech and was hungover at the awards ceremony.

"Anong sasabihin ko dun, hindi naman ako nagprepare ng speech. And then pagdating ko sa stage, bumati lang ako in japanese, medyo nag enjoy kasi kami the night, before kaya may hangover pa ako [laughs], kaya sabi ko rin sa speech ko, ''I'm sorry guys, I'm curing a hangover," she added.

(I didn't know what to say, honestly. I didn't prepare a speech. When I came to the stage, I just said hello in Japanese because we had fun the night before and I still have a hangover [laughs]. So I also said in my speech, 'I'm sorry guys, I'm curing a hangover.)

Arci dedicated her award to her supportive parents.

"I dedicated everything to them, my family and my mom, and my dad. Derecho ako sa kanya after ko bumaba sa stage, binigay ko sa kanya yung award kasi it's for them," she said.

(I dedicated everything to my family—my mom and my dad. I went straight to her after I got off the stage and gave her the award because it's for them.)

According to the actress, she did not expect to win any awards that night.

"It's different to be recognized somewhere else, and may awards naman ako from my starstruck days, pero since gumagawa na ako ng mga lead movies ko, and na-enjoy ko naman kasi for me hindi naman ako nag-eexpect kasi for me reward na mismo na alam ko na I did a great job and nagustuhan ng mga tao yung gawa ko," Arci said.

(I've received awards from my early starstruck days, but ever since I started starring in movies, I've found it more fulfilling. Winning awards wasn't my expectation; I already feel rewarded knowing that I did a great job and that people liked my work.)

On the producer's chair

Being in front of the camera has always been a part of Arci's career, but her first produced film, "Malditas in Maldives," put her to the test.

"I really don't know what to do nung nandun kami, si direk njel talaga, he's just there guiding me throughout, even up to now, and nandito kami ngayon sa stage na he was telling me Mona as a producer ganito na palagi, you have to meet up with your people etc." Arci said.

(I didn't know what to do when we were there. Director Njel has guided me throughout, even up to now. Now we're on the stage where he told me, "Mona, as a producer, it's always like this. You have to meet up with your people, etc.)

It was a long learning process for Arci as she ventured on a new journey as a producer. She also gladly shared that MDC Studios won the Jinsei Arigatou International Film Festival award.

The actress gave full credit to Director Njel for helping her out on the film.

"Hardwork po lahat nina Direk yun pati ng buong production actually, so ngayon ko pa lang nakabwelo kung ano yung gagawin ko sa susunod as a producer," Arci said.

(It's all the director's hard work and the entire production. It's slowly telling me what to do next time as a producer.)