Arjo Atayde

Juan Carlos "Arjo" Campo Atayde (born November 5, 1990) 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 with his single GMA Network appearance on Maynila, as well as his critically acclaimed role as Benjo in the web series Bagman. A member of the National Unity Party, Atayde was first elected to Congress as an independent in the 2022 general elections, where he unseated incumbent representative Onyx Crisologo. and Spanish-Filipino businessman Arturo Atayde. He is the eldest with three younger siblings: Ria, Gela, and Xavi. 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". "Dos Por Dos", "Itlog", "Liham", "Marital Lies", "Sibuyan Siblings", and "Tsubibo". 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 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 where he won Best Actor in Leading Role award during the 3rd Asian Academy Creative Awards, 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.

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.

Political career Congressional career (2022–present)

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. He was elected with 66.85% of the vote, unseating incumbent Onyx Crisologo. 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). Atayde has denied the allegations as "falsehoods."

Personal life In 2016, he was reportedly courting actress Jane Oineza but it did not work out. Atayde then dated a member of GirlTrends, Sammie Rimando, until 2018. In 2018, he began dating Maine Mendoza, whom he married on July 28, 2023, at a wedding ceremony in Baguio.

Electoral history

Filmography Television Year Title Role Notes 2001–2002 Ang TV Himself 2012 E-Boy Jepoy Supporting Cast Maalaala Mo Kaya Richard Abaño Episode CastMaynila Danny Episode: "Aking Prinsesa" 2013 Carlo J. Caparas' Dugong Buhay Rafael de Lara 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. Israel "El" Bactol Episode: "Stethoscope" Episode: "Bracelet"Trip to Quiapo2023Cattleya KillerAnton dela Rosa Lead Cast 2025 The BagmanBenjo Malaya

Film Year Title Role 2017 Ang Panday Previous Lizardo 2018 BuyBust Biggie Chen Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles Andrew Montenegro 2019 Stranded Spencer 'Tol Lando 2020 Love Lockdown Fred 2023Penduko 2024 Topakk Miguel 2026 Moonglow Charlie

Web series Year Title Role Notes 2019– Bagman Benjo Malaya Lead Cast

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