Arjo on fiancée Maine: I was always sure of her
MANILA, Philippines — From the start, Arjo Atayde already knew fiancée Maine Mendoza was “the one” for him.
“I can’t explain… I really knew it was her,” Arjo told The STAR during a recent press interview for Cattleya Killer, the first local series collaboration between Prime Video and ABS-CBN.
Directed by Dan Villegas (Exes Baggage, English Only, Please) and written by Dodo Dayao, the crime-thriller series is currently the most-watched series among Filipino subscribers on Amazon’s streaming service Prime Video. It also premiered at the MIPCOM Cannes 2022.
“I’m not trying to add any pa-sweet quotes on this but I was really… It was a smooth jive between us… Nag-swak lang po talaga kami (We really clicked). I really found a partner (and a) best friend, too,” he said of his soon-to-be wife.
“I proposed because I always wanted to. I was always sure… But to be honest, I knew. You would know. It’s no joke. Sabi ko nga, I’m not trying to be sweet, trust me. It’s really… Adults have their own love stories. They say the same thing, once you meet the person, you’ll just know.”
“And that’s what happened to us in a very unexpected time, in a very unexpected way,” he continued. “For how many times we were about to meet dapat na hindi na nangyari… So thankful. She’s always gonna be the biggest blessing for me, especially now we’re gonna be (husband and wife).”
According to the actor-politician, what keeps their relationship intact is “good communication” and he appreciated Maine’s “honesty” as well.
Although he did not give further details on their upcoming wedding, he said that “it’s happening within the year” and the preparations are “doing good so far.”
With a lot on his plate right now, he said that “time management” is the key. Aside from his acting career and wedding preparations, Arjo also serves as the representative for Quezon City’s first district.
But nevertheless, once he and Maine will get married, the latter will “definitely be my priority.” “Of course, I have my family and Congress (duties), sunod-sunod na po yun. But definitely, my work will also be my priority,” he added.
Arjo has been getting all the support that he needs from his future wife. “Maine is the biggest part of whatever I’m doing,” he asserted. “Sabi ko, ‘Why am I working?’ Of course, for my future family. That’s already instilled in my head. And I always said this in my interviews, I think even years ago, sabi ko, ‘I always work for my future family.’ Not for self, luho or what. Of course, a little bit here and there if I can, as long as I work hard. (Because) I’m also human…
“But definitely, I’m more focused on building an empire for my kids. For my soon- to-be wife. Those are the things that I’m focusing on right now. That’s my mindset.”
When this paper inquired on how many kids they plan to have, he replied, “I don’t know. Whatever God gives us and kung anong kaya ni Maine. But for me, I’m very open naman, I want to have three kids because I come from a big family.”
“My mom (Sylvia Sanchez) has six siblings, my dad (Art Atayde) is the same… So, I’m used to that. Kami din po siblings, yun din po ang gusto ko, mas masaya. Malungkot ‘pag konti lang,” he shared. Arjo has three younger siblings — Ria, Gela and Xavi.
Arjo is likewise reciprocating the support that he gets from Maine. “I’m just always here to support her. No matter what,” he professed. “She knows that. Either or whatever she does, she knows I’m always here (for her) a hundred percent.”
He, nevertheless, refused to comment on the controversy surrounding Eat Bulaga, the country’s longest-running noontime show that paved the way for Maine to also enter showbiz.
“Regarding the issue (Eat Bulaga hosts, including Maine, leaving the show’s production company, Television and Production Exponent Inc., after 44 years), I don’t wanna talk about it. That’s them. For me, whatever her decision is, I will support. And of course, I will always be here for her, no matter what her decision is,” he said.
On his life as a public servant, Arjo said, “You also have to be visible to be able to understand people more, as general communication with the public or more constituents. So, those are the things that you have to keep up with. So far, so good naman po.
“Although I don’t wanna say I’m very good at what I do. There’s always gonna be room for improvement. But definitely, I’m a work in progress and I won’t stop. I’m not here to prove anything. I just really want to be the best of service to the people as much as I can, sincerely.”
Meanwhile, Arjo plays police officer Anton dela Rosa in the six-episode series Cattleya Killer, which was based on the now-classic ‘90s Filipino film, Sa Aking Mga Kamay (In My Own Hands), starring Aga Muhlach.
Cattleya Killer also stars Jake Cuenca, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Jane Oineza, Ria Atayde, Ricky Davao, Nonie Buencamino and Christopher de Leon.
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