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
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 seriesBagman. 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]
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 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)
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.
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]