Entertainment
Movies and TV
FAMAS best actor Arjo Atayde praises soldiers in acceptance speech at Manila Hotel
FAMAS best actor Arjo Atayde praises soldiers in acceptance speech at Manila Hotel
Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde’s Best Actor award from the 73rd FAMAS awards has highlighted Nathan Studios' great creativity and high quality in producing movies that touch the hearts of the international audience.
Atayde, the leading actor in the action-packed film Topakk, portrayed the role of an ex-military officer before becoming a security guard who is dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after losing his friend in a mission.
FAMAS — one of the country’s most prestigious film institutional award bodies— fully recognized Atayde’s strong and effective performances that blended well with co-actors Julia Montes and Sid Lucero in the one-of-a-kind film.
Topakk was highly recognized not only by local film awarding bodies, but the movie itself, the actors, and actresses were also praised by international film awarding organizations all over the world like in the 78th Cannes, and 76th Locarno Film Festivals in early 2024 before being making it to 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival last December.
They were also praised by film festivals in Austin, Texas, and Catalonia, Spain, both in 2023. Those recognitions overseas have affirmed Nathan Studios’ global status as one of the premier world-class film and content production companies from the Philippines.
Aside from the best actor award, Topakk also captured the Best Sound award. Vice Ganda also tied Atayde for the FAMAS best actor award.
Atayde, Topakk’s director Richard Somes, and Nathan Studios thanked all Filipino soldiers who fight for our sovereignty and promote peace, saying their everyday efforts need to be recognized as well.
“To all our soldiers who inspired us to create the story, hindi lahat ng may topak, may topak naman [not all crazy is crazy naturally]. We are all leading in our own ways, most of the time it is misunderstood,” Atayde said during his speech.
“To anyone and to everyone who is experiencing mental health issues, know that you are loved and you are never alone,” the Quezon City first district congressman added. “We do not work for this, but we work to tell a good story, and this is what happened.”
Atayde also thanked his parents, veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez-Atayde and Art Atayde, wife Maine Mendoza, among others, for their continuous support and inspiration in the film industry.
“And just a short message, this award will serve as another source of inspiration for me to do better every time I face a new chapter. And may everyone in this pavilion continue to be soldiers of the industry. Let us continue to support Filipino movies,” Atayde said.
Last December, Topakk won the 2024 50th Metro Manila Film Festival’s Jury Award, Fernando Poe Memorial Award for Excellence, and the Best Float Award.
Speaking of continuity and providing high-quality films, Nathan Studios producer Sylvia Sanchez-Atayde will soon announce a new, different movie — not an action film this time — but a film that casts people with Down syndrome as main actors.
“We are very thankful to FAMAS for recognizing Cong. Arjo as best actor. It gives Nathan Studios the energy to create more quality original films, and next month we will be having an announcement soon,” Sylvia said.
“After Topakk that will also be shown on Netflix soon, we will be releasing a new movie later this year, a movie for all ages and masses this time. It is going to be for the entire family,” she added. “Everybody will be excited for sure.”