Arjo Atayde. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net
Arjo Atayde said he did not have any expectations when he accepted the role of Miguel in the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry “Topakk,” when asked about a new or another definition of an action star, given his differently angled portrayal of his character in the film.
The Richard Somes-helmed “Topakk” tells the story of ex-special forces operative Miguel Vergara (Atayde) who’s struggling to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He meets Weng Diwata (Julia Montes) and her brother Bogs Diwata (Kokoy de Santos) who are pursued by policemen while working for a drug cartel.
Not a lot of action films tell the story of a lead character’s inner struggle, which “Topakk” wanted to highlight in its storyline. Despite this, Atayde said he didn’t want to “prove anything” with his portrayal.
“Every role, I just try my best. I don’t want to prove anything,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Gabi ng Parangal red carpet when asked about “redefining” the modern action star with his character. “I just want to tell a good story. I’ve been doing action for a long time pero sa ‘Topakk,’ we did things that haven’t been done.”
The action film marks Atayde’s first time to be in the annual festival, which he has been enjoying so far.
“Everything has been such an experience. This MMFF is very diverse, iba’t ibang pelikula, iba’t ibang emosyon, at iba’t ibang mensahe (It features a lot of films with different emotions and messages),” he said.
“I’m just so happy to see the progression of different stories [through cinema]. We’re all storytellers at the end of the day. To be part of the 50th [edition] of the festival is a bonus,” he added.
During the ceremony, “Topakk” bagged the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence, Best Float, and Special Jury Prize awards, which Atayde is grateful to receive.
“May we give all genres a reason to come back to the Metro Manila Film Festival. I’m so happy to see everyone here, it’s like a big reunion and I’m very much privileged to be onstage,” he said.
Director Somes, on the other hand, celebrated the growth of the local film industry after the film’s wins.
“Mabuhay ang action sa pelikulang Pilipino (Long live the action genre in Filipino films),” he said.