ARJO ATAYDE Taking Strides with Feelmaking Productions, Inc.

What makes a film great? A good story? A stellar line of stars? Special effects? It could be one of those, but the most heavily awarded ones and praised by critics are those that are simple, films that depict life that is raw and unfiltered. There are tons of stories of this nature that need to be told. This is what Arjo Atayde's Feelmaking Productions, Inc. (FPI) want to do. He collaborated with famed TV Director Avel Sunpongco and Ad pro Marj So to make films that could impact people's lives so we could talk about those that are relevant and touch on real social issues.

Arjo says "After years of being in the TV and film industry, I just felt that I could do more. It was at this time that I realized I had to do something, to tell the stories worth telling and put Filipino filmmaking on a different level. It's time we do things differently and adapt to changing times and tastes of the viewing public. There's a different way to tell the Filipino story that can be accepted around the world. We'll try to do that, it's what we're here for!"

FPI also believes by keeping their workplace and film locations happy, everyone would find joy at work and come up with the best quality. It was done during their first project "Hey, Joe" which was shot in Baguio City. Together with Arjo was decorated actors Joel Torre, Eric Quizon and Mon Confiado. They also had Dumbo, Nikko Natividad, Gillian Vicencio, Iana Bermudez, Manuel Chua, Yamyam Gucong, Jobert Austria, Donna Cariaga, Chamyto Aguedan and Alexa Miro as part of the cast. Arjo's gorgeous sister Ria Atayde is also included and will have a special participation on this project.

Arjo says "With FPI and our partners, we are keen to create quality films that would be at par with international standards." Hopefully, we would be able to see this on movie houses (following protocols, when it's safe!), or digital platforms that could bring the titles they're raring to churn out around the world so we could showcase our artistry in this medium. If you want to know more about Feelmaking Productions Inc. and Arjo's other projects, follow @feelmakingprodinc on IG or search the name of the production on Facebook because they're there!

And I think, that's just the first step! You'll hear more about these films very soon!

Complete List of Winners from MMFF 2020

Today is the day! 

Globe Blue Carpet for MMFF 2020 

This evening's MMFF Gabi ng Parangal was a whole lotta fun as we saw celebrities come one by one. We saw at the Globe Blue Carpet Ritz Azul, Gerald Napoles, Maui Taylor, Michael De Mesa, EA Guzman, Zanjoe Marudo, Alfred Vargas, Harlene Bautista and John Arcilla.

Paulo Avelino was so dapper, he had silver hair, wore a tux, shared his music, told us about his fans and the hosts Giselle Sanchez and Bekz Battalions Chad Kinis just got so crazy wild because he looked so good. They also warned people about piracy which probably is a problem this year in MMFF.

They also announced the Best Float (virtual) this year which went to Magikland, while Isa Pang Bahaghari came second, while third went to Fan Girl.

Marco Gumabao and Kylie Verzosa hosted the formal awards show, MMDA chair reiterated these are done online for the safety of the general public. He also said awardees this evening well deserved the recognition as it was doubly harder to put together good movies while the country is on lockdown period. 

 
They also gave kudos to students who participated in shorts which were presented before actual participating movies

Best Student Short Film Paano Maging Babae from DLS St Benilde

Best Child Performer went to Seiyo Masunaga of The Missing

Best Editing Fan Girl's Benjamin Tolentino

Best Cinematography went to Fan Girl's Neil Daza

Special Citation for Direk Peque Gallaga+

MMFF Gender Sensitivity Award went to The Boy Foretold by the Stars  

Best Sound went to FanGirl's Vincent Villa

Best Musical Score goes to Magikland's Emerson Texon

Best Original Theme Song went to The Boy Foretold by the Stars Jhay Cura and Pao Protacio

Best Visual Effects goes to Magikland's Richard Francia and Ryan Grimarez of Central Lab

Best Production Design was won by Magikland Ericson Navarro

Best Editing Fan Girl's Benjamin Tolentino

Best Cinematography went to Fan Girl's Neil Daza

Manay Ichu Vera Perez Lifetime Achievement Award went to Ms. Gloria Romero

Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award went to the film Suarez the Healing Priest

Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award went to Magikland

Best Screenplay went to Fan Girl's Antoinette Jadaone for Fan Girl

Best Supporting Actor was won by Michael De Mesa for Isa Pang Bahaghari

Best Supporting Actress was won by Shaina Magdayao for Tagpuan

Best Director was won by Antoinette Jadaone for Fan Girl

MMFF 3rd Best Picture went to Tagpuan

MMFF 2nd Best Picture went to The Boy Foretold by The Stars

MMFF Best Picture Award went to Fan Girl by Epic Media Corporation

Best Actor is Paulo Avelino of Fan Girl

Best Actress is Charlie Dizon for Fan Girl

Congratulations to all the winners! This is brought to you by Globe, Upstream, MMDA and MMFF.

 

ARJO ATAYDE Wins Best Actor at the Asian Academy Creative Awards

 

When I saw this video circulating on Twitter and IG of Arjo Atayde winning the Best Actor award at the recent Asian Academy Creative Awards, I had goosebumps, I almost cried buckets for his achievement. Mind you, he actually made history as the first Filipino who won that for that category and it is for his role in the iWant original series called "Bagman" which was done a while ago.

In that movie, he was a barber, turned criminal turned politician (which was quite realistic no?) and he actually did beat quite a number of acclaimed actors from the Asian region. Add to that, he also won in the national level against really good Filipino actors too (and the chance to represent the country in the said tilt).

Arjo Atayde says "Thank you so much for your support. My journey has been very interesting, especially the characters that the network and dreamscape has given me. The only thing I had to do was be kind in dealing with people everyday. I would do whatever genre they want me to do and hopefully I get to explore more, I get to widen my range so I could grow and learned, so I could do another character. That is what is interesting in my 8 years. At home I am as regular as it is, kulitan lang, with my siblings, my mom and dad. Besides my family and girlfriend, I dedicate this to everyone who helped me since the very beginning. The way they showed brilliance on and off cam, to ABSCBN, to everyone who helped me, I can't say enough, I'm very thankful!"

He adds "I got Tito Pen's guidance, my Mom also said I need to improve. I also watched documentaries so I could improve my craft. I wanted to immerse for the role but I couldn't because it is very personal. I talked to the writers and researchers, the story and the script made it easy to do it. An actor is a real person, but has a heart and mind that grows fonder."

He also talked about the announcement online and he mentioned "I was actually so hopeless, I didn't see that I would win because I was watching it on FB live. I thought they didn't like us, but I wanted the announcement to actually be done with because I was palpitating since 3PM.  When they did, you could see I was so shocked, I was so proud to represent our network, our country, it was a dream of mine when we entered and I got emotional. I said "What?!" but it really happened, I wish I could let someone feel it, I couldn't put it into words.  It was a good fight for the country, it was a good fight for ABSCBN. I can't  explain in words, I was just thankful and grateful for them. This was my goal, to represent the country in anyway I can. I never even thought about that to prove anything, I had fun, it was like a playground for me and what I learned, I never think about who's shadow I had to stay away from. I was just playing really. I know it's the hardest time to stay positive, but it has to start from within, I hope we all look forward to a better 2020. "

Here's the rest of the interview I got from the Zoom conference earlier. 

Thank you so much to Star Magic for arranging this earlier, I really am so proud of this man! He's going places!