9:25 a.m. December 31, 2024

TOPAKK’S first ever entry in the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) under Nathan Studios is satisfying and inspiring for its makers after the film took home three awards and 12 nominations, according to film producer veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez-Atayde. 

“We are grateful to the Metro Manila Film Festival for accepting us here even though we are new as a producer. With that, we are already a winner for making it in our first try,” Sanchez-Atayde said after receiving one of Topakk’s three awards — the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence. 

Topakk — the only action-packed film entry in this year’s MMFF since 2022 and directed by award winning director Richard Somes — also bagged the Jury Prize Award for reviving a lost genres in action movie and the Best Float. 

The basis for the FPJ award is not only as being an epic action film but also the content and the film’s elements from creative execution, great appeal to the masses, redeeming values, and to the love for family and the oppressed have also seen in the movie. 

Sanchez-Atayde is very thankful to the FPJ board for recognizing the movie. 

She also shared that Topakk was also shown internationally in 2023 from the 78th Cannes Film Festival in France, at the 76thLocarno Film Festival in Switzerland in August 2023, and film festivals in Austin Texas, and Catalonia, Spain in September 2023 before coming home this year to the MMFF. 

“The movie was screened, praised and recognized by foreigners in various film festivals in Locarno, Cannes, Austin, Texas and Catalonia, Spain in 2023. That’s why I told Direct Richard why we do not show it in our own country.” 

Starring Quezon City first district Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde, antagonist Sid Lucero, and Julia Montes, Topakk has set the Filipino action movie into a higher global level from overall production, visual effects, great castings, sounds, cinematography, and unique storylines.

“We are incredibly happy that they allowed us to be in the MMFF this year. We didn’t encounter any problems with our staffs, actors, actresses and crews. We made sure every scene would be great for our viewers,” she added. 

Sanchez-Atayde added that Nathan Studios would return in the 2025 MMFF. 

Aside from the FPJ Award for Excellence and Jury Prize Award, Topakk also won the Best Float with its artistic design based on the movie during the parade last week. 

“I told direct to make a float and I wanted to win the best float. And we did,” Sanchez-Atayde said.

10:40 p.m. December 30, 2024

Cebuana Lhuillier, the Philippines’ leading microfinance institution, is stepping into the future of payments by exploring innovative blockchain solutions.

This initiative underscores the company’s commitment to financial inclusion and its strategic move towards adopting digital technologies. Senior Executive Vice President Philippe Andre Lhuillier attended the prestigious Plan B Forum in Lugano, Switzerland, where financial leaders and innovators gathered to discuss the next evolution in payments, blockchain, and digital finance.

A Global Stage for Financial Innovation

The Plan B Forum serves as a vital platform for thought leaders to explore the future of blockchain and digital currencies in the global economy. With a focus on the growing impact of decentralized finance (DeFi), stablecoins, and digital currencies, the forum highlights how emerging technologies are reshaping the landscape of financial services. Cebuana Lhuillier’s participation signifies its drive to stay ahead of technological advancements that can reshape and bridge TradFi and DeFi in the Philippines.

The event was attended by some of the prominent names in the digital currency space, demonstrating Cebuana’s commitment to industry and reinforcing its role in shaping the crypto landscape.

Cebuana Lhuillier: Championing Financial Inclusion in the Digital Space

Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier, highlights the company’s growing focus on digital transformation. “As Cebuana Lhuillier continues to expand in the digital space, it aims to enhance payment services by adopting stablecoins and partnering with innovative digital solutions companies. These technologies promise faster, more affordable, and secure transactions for Filipinos, offering a modern way to manage payments with greater transparency and ease.”

Following this, Cebuana Lhuillier Senior Executive Vice President Philippe Andre Lhuillier added, “Blockchain technology and digital currencies are not just tools for innovation; they are vehicles for empowerment. By leveraging these technologies, we can democratize access to financial services, enabling Filipinos from all walks of life to participate in a global digital economy.”

This move reflects Cebuana Lhuillier’s commitment to providing reliable financial services that cater to the evolving needs of its customers across the country.

In representing Cebuana Lhuillier at the forum, Philippe Andre Lhuillier emphasized the importance of financial inclusion in the digital age. In an era where internet access and digital infrastructure are rapidly expanding, especially with advancements in web3 technologies, it set the stage that highlighted the importance of emerging payments in the web3 space and the role of Cebuana Lhuillier in bridging this technology with traditional finance.
Cebuana Lhuillier’s participation at the forum reinforces its commitment to financial inclusion. By incorporating digital wallets, blockchain technology, and digital currencies, the company aims to expand access to financial services, beyond traditional finance.
President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier remarked “With the evolution of financial landscapes, Cebuana Lhuillier is positioning itself at the forefront of digital transformation in the Philippines. By attending the Plan B Forum, the company is not only seeking to learn from global leaders but is also reaffirming its role as a key player in the future of payments and financial inclusion. Philippe Andre Lhuillier’s participation marks a critical step towards realizing Cebuana Lhuillier’s vision of becoming a fully integrated financial service provider that leverages cutting-edge technology.”
As blockchain and digital cryptocurrency technologies continue to grow, Cebuana Lhuillier is well-positioned to lead the way in providing innovative financial services.

12:10 p.m. December 29, 2024

TOPAKK has set the bar high for a high-caliber quality action packed film after bagging three awards in 50^th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal last Friday evening due to its own original storyline. 

Topakk’s main actor Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde and the rest of the casts made their way at the red carpet of the grand ball room in Solaire Resort & Casino, winning the Best Float, Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence, and the Jury Prize Award aside from its 12 nominations.

“Given that we are the most action-packed film this Christmas, may we give all genres a reason to comeback this Metro Manila Film Festival,” Atayde, also the Quezon City’s first district congressman, said after receiving the award in memory of the great Filipino actor FPJ which started in 2012. 

The FPJ Memorial Award for Excellence is not only about action films, but it is also for its content, creative execution, mass appeal, redeeming values, and love for family and the oppressed that was shown in the movie starred by Atayde and actress Julia Montes.

“Thank you very much MMDA [Metro Manila Development Authority], MMFF, and all the juries for the recognition. I am so happy to see everyone it is like a big reunion so happy to be on stage again thank you for supporting Topakk and all Filipino movies,” Atayde added.

Topakk directed by award winning veteran director Richard Somes was also the first and only Filipino action film entry to the annual MMFF in 2024 with international recognition since 2022 Mamasapano: Now it can be told. 

Jury Prize Award was then handed to Topakk for its superb excellence and achievement in creating a masterpiece that exemplifies the Filipino talents in film making, and for reviving a lost genres in Philippine cinema and providing magic to the action movie. 

Sylvia Sanchez-Atayde, co-producer Will Fredo, Arjo Atayde, and director Somes, among other movie casts, went to the stage to receive the Jury Prize Award and thank everyone for the valuable recognition. 

Nathan Studios took a gamble for producing a thrilling action film in May 2023 that made it also international on its first screening in 78^th Cannes Film Festival in France, then at the 76^thLocarno Film Festival in Switzerland in August 2023, followed by other international film festivals in Austin, Texas, and Catalonia, Spain both in September 2023 before coming home this year to the MMFF.

Topakk’s Miguel, an ex-military with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) played by Atayde in the film, met and saved Weng (Julia Montes) against a corrupt police death squad involved in a drug cartel headed by Sid Lucero and Bernard Palanca behind the nonstop action saga movie.

The film was nominated in Best Actor (Arjo Atayde), Best Supporting Actor (Kokoy De Santos), Best Cinematography (Louie Quirino), Best Actress (Julia Montes), Best Original Theme Song (Darkness calls), Best Editing (Jaime Dumancas), Best Director and Best Production Design(Richard Somes), Best Musical Score (Jose Antonio Buencamino), Best Supporting Actor (Sid Lucero), Best Sound (Wild Sound) and Best Visual Effects (Rance Cariño) categories of the MMFF.