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.

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.

 1:30 a.m. November 17, 2024

HITMAKER Juan Karlos Labajo surprised everyone with an unexpected duet over the weekend with leading OPM female singer Moira dela Torre in a videoke stand in a mall on Friday singing to Juan Karlos’ hit “Medyo Ako.” 

Their collaboration was a sight to behold among all the people who were there to go shopping, only to see two young OPM belters do their magic. 

The two were also captured by netizens and their videos were uploaded on TikTok, which became viral, with more than 20,000 views in the first few hours since its upload.

“Actually, we would like to have some karaoke. Is it okay if we sing together? Just do not mind us, we will sing now,” Juan Karlos told the surprised crowd as they prepared to sing. “Thank you very much to all of you.” 

With their sudden collaboration happening inside the department store of SM North Edsa, fans are now hoping for Moira to have a participation in Juan Karlos’ upcoming concert to be held on November 29 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. 

In an earlier interview, Juan Karlos said that he is now hands on preparing for his first ever solo concert, which he said was a “dream come true” for him. 

He also stressed how music has influenced his life and how his songs can connect with the vulnerabilities of others. 

“Music has been a part of my life. I enjoy making music because it allows me to convey what I want and express how I feel. As artists, we should constantly allow our vulnerability to shine through, connecting and sharing it with others,” Juan Karlos said. 

Tickets for Juan Karlos’s debut concert, Juan Karlos Live, are still available at all SM Tickets outlets nationwide. “Juan Karlos LIVE!” is produced by UMG Philippines, Sindikato Studios, and Nathan Studios.