Julia Montes with Arjo Atayde star in ‘Topakk.’ ABS-CBN News 

MANILA — The action genre is no alien territory for Julia Montes. She has done an action series for TV, but for film, ‘Topakk’ is her first full-length action movie.

Under the direction of Richard Somes, Montes went through an 18-day action-packed filming from handling guns to jumping floors, punching, kicking, and a whole lot of blood.

“More than fears, mas excited ako kasi maganda ‘yung kwento, ‘yung film, ‘yung purpose and advocacy ng film. ‘Yung na-experience naman na nasaktan, hindi na namin na-feel ‘yun kasi nasa moment na kami ng eksena,” she said.

The movie centers on a security guard (played by Arjo Atayde) who has PTSD, and after some series of post-war events while on duty, it triggered his emotions and trauma while protecting an accused drug mule (played by Julia Montes).

Montes said doing action scenes requires focus and attentiveness.

“Sa action, napansin namin, hindi ka pwedeng naka-steady lang or lutang ka. Magkamali ka lang ng move, mamali mo rin ‘yung co-actor mo. So importante ‘yung rhythm,” she explained.

She also credited Atayde for being professional and in-the-zone in some of their difficult action scenes.  “Ang sarap katrabaho ni Arjo, kasi titingin ka lang, sasabay ka na eh. Doon ko sinasabi na masarap gawin yung eksena kung ganito kagaling yung katrabaho mo.”

But Montes’ big reveal during the interview was when she got into an accident in one scene. When she was about to drop on the floor and do a kneeling position, a nail punctured her knees.

“Kasi ‘yung eksena na ‘yun, nagko-confrontation na ‘yung mga characters. ‘Yun ‘yung first meet up namin ni Arjo, so medyo intense na ‘yung mga bagay bagay. Eh nahiya naman akong i-cut (‘yung eksena) para sabihin na teka lang napako ako, so ang ginawa ko dahil intense ‘yung eksena, wala sa akin ‘yung camera doon ko hinugot ‘yung pako,” said Montes.

She assured everyone that she had tetanus shots after the accident. Her partner, Coco Martin, also gave her some safety reminders while doing action scenes.

“Siyempre pag may baril, automatic ‘yan mag-iingat kasi may mga sparks na lalabas diyan. Pag action, huwag masyadong in the zone. Kasi kaming mga artista pag nag-e-enjoy kami, gusto namin kami na ang gagawa para kuha na ‘yung shot. Ganun namin kamahal ‘yung trabaho, minsan nakakalimutan namin na teka lang are we ready or equipped to jump, kasi hindi natin maiiwasan ‘yung accident.”

Montes also said that Martin didn’t stop her from doing the project. In fact, he was in full support.

“Proud siya. Kasi siya rin naman ‘yung unang nagturo sa akin kung papaano hindi naman gumalaw, kung paano ‘yung safety. Proud siya, hindi naman mawawala ‘yun. ‘Yung mga safety tips, nagamit naman namin,” she said.

Atayde also got into some minor accidents, according to her mother and producer of the film, Sylvia Sanchez.

“Ginusto ko rin naman ‘to, action ‘to. I just have to say na everytime you do action, you have to expect na wounds, bruises, kasi part talaga siya. Masakit pero it’s part of the fun,” said Atayde.