As one of the five nominees for the Best Actor category at the recent Metro Manila Film Festival awards night, actor Arjo Atayde said he was not pressured to take home an award that night.

“I’m just enjoying. First time ko sa MMFF so sabi ko nga, everything is such an experience. Yung (getting nominated for) Best Actor, bonus na lang po yun. But it’s very hard to tell because sabi ko nga, I think this MMFF is very diverse. Iba’t ibang pelikula, iba’t ibang mensahe, iba’t ibang emosyon ang binibigay sa mga viewers as you see the reviews. And that’s part of the industry and the government.

I’m just so happy to see the progression of all the beautiful stories, even Vice (Ganda), even all the other stories, and even The Kingdom of Bossing (Vic Sotto) has evolved into something else. You’ll see all the reviews,” he told the press at the MMFF 50th Gabi ng Parangal red carpet. 

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With his role as a ex-soldier dealing with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) in Topakk, many have commented about Arjo redefining the role of the action star in the Philippines.

“Well I just try my best. Every role that they give me naman, I just really try my best. I’m not trying to prove anything. I just want to be able to tell a good story at the end of the day. I’ve been doing action for a long time so definitely ito lang yung kakaiba. Kasi mula nung umpisa hanggang dulo, we did different things that haven’t been done.

"To be part of this change, to be part of this progression, to be part of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival is already such a bonus to us. Especially first time din ng producers namin. So everything’s a bonus. Awards, we don’t work for that. We work to tell a story. We’re all storytellers,” he admitted. 

With film festival ending its run on January 7, Arjo hoped that Pinoys will give his film support as well as all the other entries.

“Yun nga problema namin, less cinemas but we’re not complaining. It is what it is. Siguro sa lahat ng manunuod, ako ay nananawagan, baka puwede niyo panuorin ang Topakk. Bigyan natin ng pagkakataon na bumalik ang iba’t ibang genre, hindi lang action pero ang iba’t ibang pelikula panuorin po natin, tangkilikin natin ang pelikulang Pilipino.

"There’s so much to it. There’s so many great stories out there. Ito ngang Topakk, I am telling you, unahin niyo na po sa inyong listahan dahil oonti lang ang aming sinehan. Pero rest assured, you are in the ride of your life dahil ito ay kakaibang action and again, sana mabigyan niyo ng pagkakataon,” he explained. 

After an exhausting month promoting Topakk, Arjo admitted it is time to make things up with his wife Maine Mendoza because he has been busy with work throughout the holiday season.

“After this (awards) night, it’s already wife days ahead (laughs) kasi naka-break pa naman sa congress and new year’s is up ahead so I told her after this awards night so to be here, to be with all the actors and producers, everyone here, just to celebrate the MMFF. After this then it’s wife time!” he revealed.

The Topakk star also shared what will be keeping him being busy at the start of the new year. 

"In 2025, as cliche as it may sound, siguro good health for everyone, more peace with everything that’s happening around the world. It’s true. That’s my wish. And siguro to get ready for one of the projects. I just have one project so far in line that I am mentally and physically preparing for as early as now. That’s all for now. I also have congress to address. So one at a time lang. Pagka libre, during my breaks, dun ko naman ginagawa. So ayun. One project lang muna for next year,” he added.