Kapamilya star Arjo Atayde bags the Best Actor plum at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for the iWant Originals digital series, “Bagman.” He is the sole Filipino winner in the main competition.
During the digital awards night hosted by Singapore, Arjo was honored by the judges for “nailing the complexities of his character” as Benjo in the political drama.
“An extraordinary win in the toughest of competition but the judges praise Arjo Atayde,” the host said.
In his acceptance speech, the emotional 30-year-old actor expressed his gratitude to his home network and the people behind the original series.
“I don't know what to say. I’m caught off guard by this. First of all, I want to thank you ABS-CBN, Dreamscape Entertainment, Rein Entertainment for giving me this opportunity, to my director, writers, thank you so much. I rode your imagination, you brought me here,” he started.
“My mom and dad, I’m here, thank you. My family, to ABS-CBN, to my co-actors, to Asian Academy Creative Awards, thank you for pushing through with the awards night. This means so much to me, to everyone else, to every actor who's existed tonight and showed their brilliance, their art, we love the same thing and it’s a dream come true, it’s amazing,” he carried on.
Arjo also underscored in his acceptance speech the brilliance of every actor nominated in the Best Actor category and expressed his being proud of his roots by saying that he’s just one of the many talented Filipino actors who are ready to share their talent with the world.
“I’m happy to be showing Filipino talent out there. I’m not just one of the actors here in the Philippines. There’s a lot of brilliant actors and I just hope for them to be able to show you even more of what we have in our country. I hope this is not the first and last. I hope this is the beginning of everything. Thank you so much Asian Academy,” he concluded.
The eight-part series is written and directed by Shugo Praico. Also part of the cast are Carlo Aquino,Irma Adlawan, Rez Cortez, Joel Saracho, Mon Confiado, Rollie Inocencio, Menggie Cobarrubias, Chanel Latorre, and Rosanna Roces.
Asian Academy Creative Awards, now on its third year, aims to recognize “creative excellence” in production from among the 16 countries participating. It is part of the Singapore Media Festival.
Below is the full list of winners:
- Best Actor in a Leading Role: Arjo Atayde – “Bagman” (Philippines)
- Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Miller Khan – “The Bridge” (Malaysia)
- Best Actress in a Leading Role: Yeo Yann Yann – “Invisible Stories: Lian” (Singapore)
- Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Lina Ng, “Last Madame” (Singapore)
- Best Adaptation of an Existing Format: “Pretty Little Liars” (Indonesia)
- Best Cinematography: Elliot Sng, Kristy Campbell, Lau Hon Meng – “The Islands That Made Us” (Singapore)
- Best Comedy Performance Hirzi Zulkiflie: “Comedy Central Stand Up, Asia !” (Singapore)
- Best Direction (Fiction): Takumi Saitoh – “Food Lore: Life In A Box” (Japan)
- Best Drama Series: “Crash Landing on You” (South Korea)
- Best Editing: Dipin Verma, Carolyn Aquino Eguaras – “Ed Stafford: First Man Out” Season 2 (Singapore)
- Best General Entertainment, Game or Quiz Program: “Couple or Not Thailand” (Thailand)
- Best Infotainment Program: “Lockdown: India Fights Coronavirus” (India)
- Best Lifestyle Program: “Remarkable Living SR 2” (Singapore)
- Best Lifestyle, Entertainment Presenter/Host: Phanya Nirunkul for “Wit Makes Miracle” (Thailand)
- Best Music or Dance Program: “Times of Music” (India)
- Best Non-Scripted Entertainment: “Man vs Wild with Bear Grylls and Prime Minister Modi” (India)
- Best Original Screenplay: Yeon Sang Ho – “The Cursed” (South Korea)
- Best Telenovela/Soap Opera: “Royal Nirvana” (China)
- Best Original Program by a Streamer/OTT: “Queen” (India)
- Best Theme Song: “Enemies of You” for “Lake Pyar” by Daniel Saw (Myanmar)
- Best Animated Program or Series (2D or 3D): “A Whisker Away” (Japan)
- Best Branded Program or Series: “Petronas Land of Light Bulbs” (Malaysia)
- Best Children’s Program (one off/series): “Lamput – The Chase” (India)
- Best Comedy Program: “Mr. Zoo” (South Korea)
- Best Current Affairs Program or Series: “Man Woman and # MeToo” (India)
- Best Direction (Non-Fiction): Sujata Kulshreshtha, Abhimanyu Tewari – “India 2050” (India)
- Best Documentary Program (one-off): “The Australian Dream” (Australia)
- Best Documentary Series: “Revelation” (Australia)
- Best Feature Film: “The Garden of Evening Mists” (Malaysia)
- Best Immersive (360, VR): “High” (Singapore)
- Best News or Current Affairs Presenter/Anchor: Danny Yeo – “A Medical Journey” (Singapore)
- Best News Program: “Evening News (2020 Presidential Election)” (Taiwan)
- Best Preschool Program: “Bluey” (Australia)
- Best Promo or Trailer: “The Driver” (Singapore)
- Best Short Form Content: ”Three Trees” (Japan)
- Best Single Drama/Telemovie/ Anthology Episode: “76 Horror Bookstore – Tin Can of Fear” (Taiwan)
- Best Single News Story/Report: “News Desk: Human Rights Abandoned at Sea” (South Korea)
- Best Sound: Chen George, Lo Annie, Lin Jimmy – “Yong-Jiu Grocery Store” (South Korea)
- Best Sports Program (one off or series): “Kizuna: Ultimate Partnerships” (Japan)
- Best Visual or Special FX in TV series or Feature Films: “Jumanji: The Next Level” (Australia)