Arjo Atayde is back in his element. He’s again in a riveting portrayal via “Cattleya Killer,” the first Filipino drama to premiere at the MIPCOM Cannes, France, the largest content market in the world.

In this episode of Kapamilya Chat, Arjo and his sister and co-star Ria Atayde mentioned that “Cattleya Killer” was specially crafted for international pitching, as part of ABS-CBN’s goal to go global. To recall, the siblings graced the red carpet of the MIPCOM opening party with the support of their parents and producers Sylvia Sanchez and Art Atayde, as well as ABS-CBN International Productions head Ruel S. Bayani.

“To have screened sa Cannes, super grateful kasi kami ‘yun ang unang Filipino-made project na nag-screen doon. It was really overwhelming to be there. Iyak kami nang iyak, actually, kasi grabe nga pinagdaanan din ng ABS-CBN last year. Hindi mo akalain na ganu’n ‘yung mararating namin,” recalled Ria.

Excited and grateful are what the siblings are feeling. They are thankful for the opportunity to represent the Philippines in a global market, at the same time, looking forward to presenting this masterpiece to Pinoy viewers.

Prior to this series, Arjo received accolades through iWantTFC's "Bagman" where he played Benjo Malaya, a barber forced to work for a corrupt governor. Asked how he changes his skin from one riveting portrayal to another, he discussed that it boils down to knowing one’s character motivation.

“You don’t overanalyze. I just try to create this character based on the personality given by the production, director, and staff. Kung saan nanggagaling ‘yung character, meaning ‘yung background niya,” he said. “The personality that you build kasi mula pagkabata naman ‘yan, eh. So, obviously, you try to build, ‘Why is he stubborn? Why is he lying?’ There must be something in the background.”

“Cattleya Killer’ gave Arjo one of the hardest scenes in his life and career. There was a five-paged scene that he, Jake Cuenca, and Jane Oineza shot in one go. It’s definitely something viewers must watch out for. “It was a long scene. It was a hard scene. Para siyang Olympics sa aming tatlo. Lahat yata ng emosyon in one shot. And the way Direk Dan [Villegas] did it, it’s crazy, napakahirap no’n. It was the hardest scene I’ve done in my career kasi it was really up and down,” Arjo hinted.

Meanwhile, Ria, who portrays a journalist in the series, said working with top-rated actors kept her on her toes. “Kasi kung gano’n ‘yung caliber ng mga katrabaho mo, parang ayaw mo rin magkamali. It inspires you to do better.”

They worked with a collaborative ensemble cast. After filming, they’d hang out in their bubble to exchange stories as their form of ‘pagpag’ or letting go of their characters’ intense emotions. Arjo shared, “You got to learn how to switch on and switch off, eh. You got to learn how to snap out of it. May madadala kang personalities kaya nga sabi ni Ria to relax, laugh it off. Don’t get stressed about it. Move on from your mistakes that day.”

“Cattleya Killer,” adapted from the Aga Muhlach-starrer and Star Cinema-produced “Sa Aking Mga Kamay” (1996), revolves around the titular serial killer who preys on women cheating on their husbands. The story is set years after NBI deputy director Joven dela Rosa (Christopher de Leon) solved the infamous “Cattleya Killer” case. However, Joven and his two sons Anton (Arjo), an NBI agent, and Benjie (Jake Cuenca), the administrator of a center for traumatized women, are confronted by mystery and dark secrets as the “Cattleya Killer” appears to resurface.