With or without the added recognition of awards, actress and film producer Sylvia Sanchez admitted the biggest flex she has from their Metro Manila Film Festival entry Topakk is the feedback that they are reinventing the action film genre in the Philippines because of it.
“Yun nga ang trophy namin. Sinabi na kami daw yung nagbago ngayon sa action. Binago daw namin yung action movie. Oh di ba trophy na yun? Na kahit itong film festival, itong gabing ito, matatapos ito, hindi na ito pag-uusapan later on pero ang mananatili sa amin dito, ngayong gabi, hanggang ten years from now, pag sinabi, ‘Paano nabago yung action sa Pilipinas?’ Nathan, Topakk ang nagbago. Okay yun di ba? “ she shared with the press during the 50th MMFF Gabi ng Parangal last December 27 held at the Solaire Resort in Paranaque City.
As a mom, Sylvia said she could not be prouder of her son Arjo for his portrayal of an ex-soldier named Miguel who left the service because of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
“Sobra akong proud. Sobrang proud na masasabi ko mas magaling sa akin anak ko. Sobra. As an actor, mas magaling siya sa akin. Nakita ko yun. Mas malalim siya sa akin. Minana niya sa akin pero ang lalim ni Arjo. Basta, iba siya. Nagugulat ako. Saan galing yun? Saan galing yung pag-portray mo?” she admitted.
Sylvia said she also give credits to her two daughters Ria and Gela for their help as co-producers on the film, “Si Gela and Ria, meron din yung binatbat, yung mga batang yun. Ang tatalino eh. Sila yung techie. Ako naman yung tatanga-tanga at nagtatanong, ‘Anak, ano nga ito ‘nak?’ (laughs) Sila yun.”
The Nathan Studios head also admitted that because of her dedication to their MMFF entry, her entire holiday schedule this year became a big challenge for her and her family.
“Ginulo ng Metro Manila Film Festival! (laughs) Nag-spend kami ng Christmas sa bahay ng biyenan. Dapat nandun na kami ng 10 o’clock. Hindi ako nakatayo ng 10 p.m., 10:30 p.m. ako tumayo para pumunta sa bahay dahil sa sobrang pagod. Dumating kami dun ng 11 p.m., may sakit pa yung apo ko, yung anak ni Z (Zanjoe Marudo) at saka ni Ria. So ang nangyari, inalagaan ko and at the same time, telepono ko may meeting hanggang 11:20 p.m. So hindi ako nakakain ng Noche Buena.
"Nung gabing yun ang ginawa ko, yinakap ko na lang yung apo, hinalikan ko, at sabi ako ng sabi, ‘Akin na lang yung sakit mo’ the whole time. Yun pa lang masaya na ako. Kinabukasan, dapat meron kaming get together, buong Atayde party ng 3 p.m. Hindi ko nagawa yun. Wala kami. First time yun. First time after 34 years. Ngayon lang kami hindi talaga nakasama dun dahil sa Metro Manila Film Fest.
"Pero masaya ako and grateful lang. Actually after tonight, pahinga na ako. Sabi ko, ayoko na, pagod na ako. Kasi since June, July, ganito na ako, may JK (Labajo, concert event) ako. After ni JK, mas tumindi na dito. So nonstop. Wala akong tulog,” she explained.
For the new year, Sylvia reveals her biggest wish, “More apos. Kay Arjo, bahala sila, si Arjo at Ria, bahala sila. More projects sa Nathan. Happiness. Peace of Mind. Tulog (laughs).”
Watch Topakk still showing in theaters nationwide.