Arjo Atayde Won Best Actor At The Asian Academy Creative Awards

"This is for everyone who has been discouraged by others to pursue their dreams, for everyone who has been told that they don’t belong, for everyone with self-doubt, for everyone behind the scenes that made this possible," writes this actor.

The words come as Kapamilya star Arjo Atayde won Best Actor in a leading role at the Asian Academy Creative Awards, a ceremony that recognizes talents across platforms, recognizing those who have made an impact in television, digital platforms, streaming, mobile services, and other emerging technologies. 

Despite the ceremony reduced to a livestreaming event in Singapore, the Kapamilya star was still overcome with emotion after hearing his name announced.

With eyes reddened with tears and voice shaky from both the shock and achievement, Arjo (virtually) received his award, delivering an emotional acceptance speech. 

"I don't know what to say. I'm caught off guard with this" he begins. 

"To the Asian Academy Creative Awards, thank you for pushing through with the awards night. This means so much to me, to everyone else, to all the actors who've existed tonight and shown their brilliance, their art... It's a dream come true," he continues, as he tearfully thanks his director, co-stars, and even his mom and dad.

Watch Arjo Atayde's Best Actor award full acceptance speech below:

Arjo Atayde won Best Actor at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for Bagman, an all too relevant political thriller where he portrays Benjo, a barber who becomes another victim of one of the government's ill-conceived plans yet finds sinister and treacherous ways to exact his revenge on those that have wronged him. Bagman is streaming on iWant and has been renewed for a second season. 

Arjo bested nine other actors for the award.

There to congratulate Arjo on his big win were first and foremost his sister, Ria. The actress talked about Arjo's win as a "full-circle" moment, reflecting on how he almost never got to start his acting career, but is now making big waves in the industry. 

"I am extremely grateful for the appreciation and recognition of what I do. All I want to do is act and inspire. Thank you for making this dream of mine come true!" he wrote on Instagram. 

Earlier this year, Arjo opened up about wanting to end his acting career. He talked about how the year's events had discouraged him, but that it was ultimately Bagman that grounded him and eventually, led him to one of his career's biggest accolades, to date.

Check out Bagman's official trailer for its first season below:

Congratulations, Arjo!

Photo from @arjoatayde