“To be honest, no, because we just enjoyed.”

This is what lead actor Arjo Atayde said when asked if the cast and team behind the action-packed film Topakk felt pressured being part of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) official entries.

During their grand media conference, Arjo expressed how it was a blessing for the cast and production team to share their film with the fans this holiday season.

 “We didn’t expect to be here. We are very blessed to be given the opportunity to be here. I found out that we got in in the MMFF the day that they announced it. I was very much surprised so thank you to the whole production for pulling that off,” Arjo told PUSH.

The actor turned politician also shared that the team was simply looking forward to enjoying and having fun during the festival, rather than focusing on the competition.

“Definitely, we are just going with the ride and I’m very blessed to be not just with colleagues but real friends to be on this journey. For me, every day is looking forward to seeing everyone in the promotion day,” Arjo expressed. “This is all fun for us, more than pressure.”

Produced by Sylvia Sanchez’s Nathan Studios, Fusee, and Raven Banner Entertainment, Topakk has already made waves at international film festivals such as the Cannes Film Festival in Italy, the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, and the Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, USA.

Kapamilya actor Enchong Dee, who attended the international festivals to promote the film, shared a specific moment that made him very proud to be part of the film.

“I remember when we were in Locarno Film Festival, there is this one film journalist noong pagkakita kay Direk Richard Somes, napaluhod siya. Gusto niya iworship yung gawa ni Direk Richard Somes,” Enchong shared with PUSH.

“Gusto ko lang siya sabihin na I’m very proud na even the foreigners appreciate Topakk as a film. I think yung pressure, wala eh kasi nagawa na namin lahat yung pwede naming magawa,” he added.

Topakk is set to revive the full action genre in Philippine cinemas, telling the story of “a former special forces operative grappling with PTSD as he attempts to rescue a woman pursued by a corrupt police death squad.”

 READ: Arjo Atayde’s ‘Topakk’ premieres at film festival in Texas

“It’s already a gift and it’s already coming home to the Philippines,” Enchong said, highlighting the film’s debut in Philippine cinema.

“Yung pressure wala na, we are just gonna have fun,” he added.

The film has garnered two ratings from the MTRCB, with Sylvia explaining how they voluntarily cut some intense action scenes to meet the required ratings for different cinemas.

"Dalawa ang ratings ng Topakk. Isang R-16 at isang R-18. R-16 para makapasok kami sa SM (cinemas). Tapos R-18 doon sa mga hindi SM (cinemas)," Sylvia explained.

Director Richard Somes also shared that the uncut version of the film that was shown in the international film festival won’t be shown to local audiences.

Besides Arjo and Enchong, the film also stars Julia Montes, Sid Lucero, Kokoy De Santos, and Paolo Paraiso.