Arjo Atayde

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Campo and the surname or paternal family name is Atayde.

Juan Carlos "Arjo" Campo Atayde (born November 5, 1990)^[1] is a Filipino actor and politician who has served as the representative for Quezon City's 1st district since 2022. He is best known for his appearances on drama series aired on ABS-CBN, as well as his critically acclaimed role as Benjo in the web series Bagman. A member of the Nacionalista Party, Atayde was first elected to Congress as an independent in the 2022 general elections, where he unseated incumbent representative Onyx Crisologo.^[2][3]

Arjo Atayde
Official portrait, 2022
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Quezon City's 1st district
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2022
Preceded by	Anthony Peter Crisologo
Personal details
Born	Juan Carlos Campo Atayde (1990-11-05) November 5, 1990 (age 34) Quezon City, Philippines
Political party	Nacionalista (2022–present)
Other political affiliations	Independent (2021–2022)
Spouse	Maine Mendoza ​ (m. 2023)​
Relations	Ria Atayde (sister) Coleen Garcia (cousin) Zanjoe Marudo (brother-in-law)
Parent(s)	Art Atayde Sylvia Sanchez
Alma mater	De La Salle University
Occupation	Actor
Profession	Politician
Awards	Best New Male TV Personality - PMPC 2012; Best Drama Supporting Actor for TV - PMPC 2013; Best Single Performance by an Actor - PMPC 2014; Best Drama Supporting Actor of the Year - PMPC 2016; Best Actor in a Leading Role - 3rd Asian Academy Creative Awards 2020

Early life

Atayde was born on November 5, 1990, to actress Sylvia Sanchez^[1][4] and Spanish-Filipino businessman Arturo Atayde. He is the eldest with three younger siblings: Ria, Gela, and Xavi.^[5] Arjo studied at La Salle Green Hills and later moved to Reedley International School.

Entertainment and business career

His first official venture into acting was at age 9 for Ang TV. However, he was pulled out of acting when it affected his schooling. Atayde's first notable appearance was more than a decade later, in 2012, for the show E-Boy as "Jepoy".^[5]

He has played several starring roles in the drama anthology series Maalaala Mo Kaya. He appeared in the episodes "Bangka",^[6] "Dos Por Dos",^[7] "Itlog",^[8] "Liham",^[9] "Marital Lies",^[10] "Sibuyan Siblings",^[11] and "Tsubibo".^[12] For his acting in the series, he won the following awards from PMPC Star Awards for Television: "Best Male New TV Personality" in 2012 for "Bangka" and Best Single Performance by an Actor in 2014 for his portrayal of a gay parent in "Dos Por Dos".

In 2013, he starred as Rafael de Lara in the daytime television series Dugong Buhay^[13] for which he won a PMPC Star Awards for Best Single Performance by an Actor. He then went on to star in the Korean adaptation, Pure Love as Raymond de la Cruz/Ramon Esguerra. The following year, he was given his biggest role to date as the main antagonist Joaquin Tuazon on FPJ's Ang Probinsyano. He also won a PMPC Star Awards for Best Single Performance by an Actor for this role.

He continued to have various notable roles in 2019 for which he received many accolades. Most noteworthy are his portrayals of Benjo, a barber who falls into criminality, in the iWant TV exclusive show Bagman^[14] where he won Best Actor in Leading Role award during the 3rd Asian Academy Creative Awards,^[15] and then as Elai, a man with autism, in The General's Daughter. The latter brought him praise on social media, including the approval of Autism Society Philippines for his sensitive and nuanced representation of autism.^[16][17]

In July 2024, Atayde launched his first "Inasal Republic," Tatak Ilonggo branch in West Avenue in Quezon City. It also has branches in Scout Gandia, Tomas Morato Avenue and Masinag Antipolo City. The chain restaurant is his joint venture with film director Richard Somes, entrepreneurs Mark San Diego, Ivan Villamar, and cousin Gabby Atayde.^[18]

Political career

Congressional career (2022–present)

Atayde (center) with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (2nd from left) and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto (2nd from right) during the 2024 Chinese New Year festival at Banawe Chinatown District

In 2022, Atayde ran for representative in Quezon City's 1st congressional district. He ran as an independent with the backing of the Joy Belmonte-led Serbisyo sa Bayan Party.^[19] He was elected with 66.85% of the vote, unseating incumbent Onyx Crisologo.^[3] He was sworn in on June 30, 2022.

On October 8, 2022, Atayde joined the Nacionalista Party, being sworn in by fellow Representative Sandro Marcos (Ilocos Norte–1st).^[2]

Personal life

In 2016, he was reportedly courting the actress, Jane Oineza, but it did not work out.^[20][21] Atayde then dated a member of GirlTrends, Sammie Rimando, until 2018.^[22][23] In 2018, he began dating Maine Mendoza, whom he married on July 28, 2023 at a wedding ceremony in Baguio.^[24][25]

Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Role	Network	Notes
2001–2002	Ang TV	Himself	ABS-CBN
2012	E-Boy	Jepoy		Supporting Cast
	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Richard Abaño		Episode Cast
	Maynila	Danny	GMA Network	Episode: "Aking Prinsesa"
2013	Carlo J. Caparas' Dugong Buhay	Rafael de Lara	ABS-CBN	Main Cast
	Toda Max	RJ Catacutan
	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Jay		Episode: "Puntod"
		Erni		Episode: "Tsubibo"
2014	Pure Love	Raymond Dela Cruz		Main Cast
	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Jess		Episode: "Dos Por Dos"
		Fr. Francis		Episode: "Liham"
2015		Jason Villanueva		Episode: "Pictures"
	Wansapanataym	younger grandfather of Eric		Episode: "Remote ni Eric"
	Nathaniel	Pedro Alvaro		Guest Cast
	Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal	Briefcase number 13
2015–2017	FPJ's Ang Probinsyano	Police C/Insp. Joaquin S. Tuazon		Main Cast
2016–2020	Ipaglaban Mo!	Various Roles
2016	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Simon		Episode: "Itlog"
2017		Rocky Gathercole		Episode: "Sketch Pad"
2017–2018	Hanggang Saan	Atty. Francisco "Paco" Alipio		Lead Cast
2019	The General's Daughter	Elijah "Elai" Sarmiento		Main Cast
2020	24/7	Cedric Jacinto		Main Cast
	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Dr. El Bactol	Kapamilya Channel	Episode: "Stethoscope"
				Episode: "Bracelet"
	Trip to Quiapo		iWantTFC
2023	Cattleya Killer	Anton dela Rosa	Amazon Prime Video	Lead Cast
TBA	The Bagman	Benjo Malaya

Web series

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Network
2019–	Bagman	Benjo Malaya	Lead Cast	iWant

Film

Year	Title	Role	Studio
2017	Ang Panday	Previous Lizardo	CCM Productions, Star Cinema and Viva Films
2018	BuyBust	Biggie Chen	Viva Films and Reality Entertainment
	Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles	Andrew Montenegro	APT Entertainment, CCM Film Productions, M-Zet Productions
2019	Stranded	Spencer	Regal Entertainment
2020	Love Lockdown	Fred	Dreamscape Entertainment
2023	Penduko		Viva Films
2024	Spy × Family Code: White	Yuri Briar (voice)	Wit Studio, CloverWorks, Netflix Philippines
	Topakk	Miguel	Nathan Studios

Awards and nominations

Year	Work	Award	Category	Result	Ref.
2012	Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Bangka"	26th PMPC Star Awards for Television	Best New Male TV Personality	Won
			Best Single Performance by an Actor	Nominated
2013	Dugong Buhay	27th PMPC Star Awards for Television	Best Drama Supporting Actor	Won
2014	Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Dos Por Dos"	28th PMPC Star Awards for Television	Best Single Performance by an Actor	Won
2015	Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Liham"	29th PMPC Star Awards for Television		Nominated
2016	FPJ's Ang Probinsyano	The PEP List Year 3	Best Supporting Actor	Won
		30th PMPC Star Awards for Television	Best Drama Supporting Actor	Won
2018	Hanggang Saan	32nd PMPC Star Awards for Television	Best Drama Actor	Nominated
2019	The General's Daughter	33rd PMPC Star Awards for Television	Best Drama Supporting Actor	Won
2020	Bagman	3rd Asian Academy Creative Awards	Best Actor in a Leading Role	Won
2023	Cattleya Killer	Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards	Best Lead Actor	Nominated	[26]
		Asian Academy Creative Awards	Best Actor in a Leading Role	Won	[27]

References

1. Lo, Ricky (May 28, 2016). "Body Talk with Arjo Atayde Out of mom's shadow and confirmed that he is indeed a gay". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
2. "QCD1 Rep. Arjo Atayde joins Nacionalista Party". Manila Bulletin. October 8, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
3. Pagulong, Charmie Joy. "Celebrities who won and lost in 2022 polls". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
4. Reyes, William (March 18, 2013). "Sylvia Sanchez Gives Pointers to Newbie Actor-Son Arjo Atayde". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
5. Cruz, Marinel R. (September 8, 2014). "Sylvia Sanchez's kid no more". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
6. "Maalaala Mo Kaya: Bangka (Batang Langoy) (2012)". Maalaala Mo Kaya. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
7. "Maalaala Mo Kaya: Dos Por Dos (Gay Parent) (2014)". Maalaala Mo Kaya. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
8. "Maalaala Mo Kaya: Itlog (The Guest) (2016)". Maalaala Mo Kaya. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
9. "Maalaala Mo Kaya: Liham (Padre Loves Madre) (2014)". Maalaala Mo Kaya. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
10. "Maalaala Mo Kaya: Marital Lies (Pictures) (2015)". Maalaala Mo Kaya. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
11. "Maalaala Mo Kaya: Sibuyan Siblings (2018)". Maalaala Mo Kaya. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
12. "Maalaala Mo Kaya: Tsubibo (Little Brenda) (2013)". Maalaala Mo Kaya. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
13. Mendoza, Ruel (July 17, 2013). "Arjo Atayde wants to make a mark in showbiz without depending too much on mom Sylvia Sanchez". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
14. Sumayao, Marco (April 4, 2019). "Despite a Stellar Performance by Arjo Atayde, Bagman is Crippled by its Production and Platform". Esquire.
15. "Arjo Atayde bags Best Actor award at 2020 Asian Academy Creative Awards". Rappler. December 5, 2020.
16. "Arjo Atayde praised for portrayal of autism in 'General's Daughter' scene". ABS-CBN News. September 6, 2019.
17. Arcadia, Ryan (September 22, 2019). "Arjo Atayde praised for 'sensitive, nuanced' portrayal of character with autism". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
18. Krishnan, Ganiel (September 22, 2024). "Arjo Atayde ventures into business amidst busy schedule". ABS-CBN. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
19. "Arjo Atayde seeks political debut as Quezon City congressman". RAPPLER. October 8, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
20. Oineza, Jane (April 18, 2016). "Arjo Atayde Opens Up About Jane Oineza". ABS-CBN News.
21. Parungao, Regina Mae (April 2, 2017). "What happened to Arjo Atayde's 'relationship' with Jane Oineza". Manila Bulletin.
22. Pumaloy, Rey (April 21, 2018). "Arjo Atayde is very happy with girlfriend Sammie Rimando". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
23. Benoza, Paulea (November 7, 2018). "Sammie Rimando confirms breakup with Arjo Atayde". PUSH ABS-CBN.
24. Pasajol, Anne (July 28, 2023). "LOOK: Maine Mendoza, Arjo Atayde are now married". Inquirer.net.
25. Aseoche, Therese (August 1, 2022). "A Timeline of Maine Mendoza and Arjo Atayde's Relationship". When in Manila. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
26. Uson, Melanie (September 12, 2023). "Arjo Atayde gets nominated for best actor at 2023 Asia Contents Awards". Philstar Life. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
27. "ABS-CBN emerges as most awarded PH media company with 10 nat'l wins at the 2023 Asian Academy Awards". ABS-CBN Entertainment.

External links

• Media related to Arjo Atayde at Wikimedia Commons
• Arjo Atayde at IMDb