LOOK: Arjo Atayde represents PH, nominated at the 2023 Asia Content and Global OTT Awards
Internationally acclaimed actor and Quezon City Representative Arjo Atayde proved his exceptional talent once again with his performance in ABS-CBN International Production’s and Nathan Studios Inc.’s Cattleya Killer.
Directed by Dan Villegas from a script by genre master Dodo Dayao, the six-part thriller revolves around the investigation of a series of murders by a serial killer.
Their modus operandi, which includes leaving Cattleya flowers on his victims, eerily mirrors that of an infamous killer believed to have been dead for decades. Atayde plays Anton dela Rosa, the son of the detective who cracked the original case. As the story unfolds, past traumas and buried secrets resurface, casting suspicion on Anton.
Beyond local accolades, his performance captivated international award-giving bodies, notably Asia Content Awards & Global OTT Awards and Asian Academy Creative Awards.
In the digital age, streaming services have become an integral part of the entertainment landscape. Recognizing this shift, traditional film festivals have evolved to celebrate content made exclusively for platforms like Amazon Prime Video. Emblematic of this transformation is the 2023 Asia Content Awards & Global OTT Awards, slated for October 8 at the Busan Cinema Center in South Korea — a fabulous live event that could also be streamed on YouTube.
This event, colloquially known as ACA & G.OTT, is a grand celebration of achievements spanning TV, OTT, and online platforms worldwide. The Asia Contents Awards, initiated in 2019, has collaborated with the International OTT Festival, an endeavor backed by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Busan Metropolitan City. This alliance rebranded the event as the 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards.
This partnership broadened the event’s scope, with a surge in submissions by over 50%, culminating in 215 entries from 18 diverse countries. The award categories, reflecting the multifaceted nature of content today, have expanded from 12 to 17. These encompass competitive awards like the Best Creative Award and Best Lead Actor/Actress, as well as non-competitive ones such as Lifetime Achievement Award.
“OTT” stands for “Over-The-Top.” OTT signifies streaming services that relay content straight to viewers using the internet, bypassing traditional mediums like cable or satellite. Prominent OTT platforms in South Korea, like Watcha and Wavve, present a vast array of content on-demand, rendering traditional TV subscriptions obsolete.
Atayde, who serves as the Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts, finds himself in a competitive bracket, vying against heavyweight Asian actors such as South Korea’s Ryu Seung-ryong of the series Moving; China’s Fan Wei of The Long Season; Thailand’s Nat Kitcharit of Delete; and Japan’s Satoh Takeru of First Love and Yūya Yagira of Gannibal.
Furthermore, Atayde was also recognized by the Asian Academy Creative Awards for his work. He was named the Philippines’ national winner in the Best Actor category, and Cattleya Killer was also a national winner for Best Cinematography and Best Drama Series. As such, Atayde and the show’s team will fly to Singapore this December 7 for the Asian Academy Creative Awards’ grand gala night. This is Atayde’s second nomination from the same institution, having previously clinched the Best Actor trophy three years ago for his standout performance on Bag Man.
Speaking about the nominations, Atayde expressed, “I’m deeply honored by the nominations and extend my deepest thanks to both award institutions for acknowledging the collective efforts of my co-stars, our creative teams, and myself. As I look forward to attending both ceremonies, I’d like to emphasize that, regardless of the results, these nominations are a tribute to the Filipino spirit and dedication.”
Atayde’s mother, veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez, expressed pride and joy in a heartfelt Instagram post. “Congratulations, Arjo, for winning Best Actor here in the Philippines for your performance in Cattleya Killer. Your nominations in these award-giving bodies make me so happy. Keep it up, my son. We’re very proud of you. Lord, thank you will never be enough, but yes, thank you so much for all Your blessings,” she wrote.
The entire team behind Cattleya Killer, along with Atayde’s family, friends, and supporters, await the results of the upcoming award ceremonies, hopeful for more accolades to add to the series’ and Atayde’s expanding list of achievements.
