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
Assumed office
June 30, 2022
Preceded byAnthony Peter Crisologo
Personal details
Born
Juan Carlos Campo Atayde

(1990-11-05) November 5, 1990 (age 34)
Quezon City, Philippines
Political partyNacionalista (2022–present)
Other political
affiliations
Independent (2021–2022)
Spouse
(m. 2023)
RelationsRia Atayde (sister)
Coleen Garcia (cousin)
Zanjoe Marudo (brother-in-law)
Parent(s)Art Atayde
Sylvia Sanchez
Alma materDe La Salle University
OccupationActor
ProfessionPolitician
AwardsBest 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

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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

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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

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Congressional career (2022–present)

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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

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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

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Television

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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
2024 The Bagman Benjo Malaya

Web series

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

Film

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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

Awards and nominations

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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

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  1. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "QCD1 Rep. Arjo Atayde joins Nacionalista Party". Manila Bulletin. October 8, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  3. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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.
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