The year is far from over, but actor and politician Arjo Atayde already has much to be grateful for, including his recent win as Best Male Lead in a TV Program/Series at the 2024 ContentAsia Awards for his performance in Cattleya Killer.
When asked about rumors that his mother, Sylvia Sanchez, is replacing him in his political role, Arjo straightforwardly said, “No, it’s not true, my mom is not replacing me. I have much to do.
“We have been working very hard in the district. And as a promise to my responsibility, to my commitment to the people… I was able keep myself free until after elections as well so that I could focus of course in the district.
“Opo. Tuloy po. Hindi po si mommy. Ako po,” he added during the presscon at the thanksgiving and Christmas party organized by the Atayde family for the media on September 13 at the Quezon City District 1 headquarters
He also responded to the rumors about his wife, Maine Mendoza, being pregnant, explaining that they travel to spend quality time together, as both have their own commitments when in Manila. “It’s just really time management, and she’s always my priority at the end of the day.” He clarified that Maine is not pregnant, despite the gossip, and that they simply went on vacation to celebrate their first wedding anniversary.
Arjo also shared his plans for the year, particularly those projects he committed to with ABS-CBN. Despite some overlap, he managed to complete these commitments during breaks from his congressional duties, assuring that his responsibilities in public service remained his priority. Among these projects is the film Moonglow, set for release next year, which recently completed a one-day reshoot. However, Arjo deferred further details about the film’s release to its director, Isabel.
He also highlighted Topakk, a film featuring Julia Montes, Enchong Dee, and Sid Lucero, which is expected to hit Manila cinemas soon, hopefully within the year. As for The Bagman, Arjo hinted at an announcement coming soon, though he remained tight-lipped on specifics.
In addition to these career milestones, Arjo’s international acclaim continues to soar with his Best Male Lead win at the 2024 ContentAsia Awards. He was recognized for his portrayal of Anton dela Rosa, the complex and intense central character of Cattleya Killer. The Filipino crime-thriller series, produced by ABS-CBN and Nathan Studios, premiered globally on Prime Video on June 1, 2023. Directed by Dan Villegas and written by Dodo Dayao, the show revolves around a murder investigation linked to an old case involving a notorious serial killer. Cattleya Killer has garnered worldwide acclaim for its gripping plot, high production value, and standout performances, particularly Arjo’s.
At the awards ceremony in Taipei, Arjo expressed his heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in making his victory possible. “Thank you to everyone. I’m forever indebted to all the actors that I work with, to the people behind the camera, to everyone who’s helped me be here, gather all this power to actually pull through this good series.” He also acknowledged the support of his family, especially his wife, Maine Mendoza, saying, “It’s my first time in Taipei, this is such a reward for a first time here. Last but not the least, my family. Thank you so much to my family for supporting so much, to my wife who understands so much of the hard work that we have to pull through to be able to do this.”
Arjo also thanked his ABS-CBN family for their support during the show’s production. “To ABS-CBN, Tita Cory Vidanes, Sir Carlo Katigbak, and of course, to Sir Ruel Bayani, thank you so much for this opportunity. To the Filipinos, to ABS-CBN, maraming, maraming salamat po,” he said.
This latest recognition is a continuation of Arjo’s international success, following his 2020 Best Actor win at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for Bagman, where he portrayed a barber entangled in the dangerous world of politics. That accolade made him the first Filipino to win at the region’s most prestigious platform for creative excellence.
Beyond his acting achievements, Arjo is also serving as Representative of the First District of Quezon City, a position he won by a landslide in the 2022 elections. His dedication to both his craft and public service highlights his multifaceted contributions to Philippine society, and with his passion and hard work, Arjo continues to inspire and elevate the Filipino film and television industry on the global stage.
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