Well, the guessing game is finally over. Arjo Atayde admitted that he is “exclusively dating” phenomenal star and Philippine sweetheart Maine Mendoza. In a video interview uploaded by reporter MJ Marfori, Atayde shared that he is at his “happiest”.
With the admission, Atayde chose to keep mum about more elaborate details of their deepening friendship and their “dating” status but there’s no denying that he feels that he is at his best with the beloved actress and host. Atayde and Mendoza have met on the set of the Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles and have since created buzz about their blossoming friendship. When asked what he appreciates most about Mendoza, he quipped, “Everything.” He then added, “She makes me laugh all the time. I am just really happy.”
While Atayde shared limited details about his relationship with the actress, he did not hold back on the issue of bashing and online hate directed to him and his family. He shared, “I despise disrespectful people. For my family to get affected, [and] for Maine to be disrespected, that’s not okay with me. But in front of me, try it. I dare you, guys. I dare you.” He was firm in saying that the online bashers do not affect him and his growing friendship with Mendoza. “Don’t keep talking [through] troll accounts and stuff ‘cause it ain’t gonna work for me. I cannot fight back against nameless, faceless people. It’s a waste of time.”
When asked how he and Mendoza have dealt with the online negativity, he replied, “We are just passive about it. We still go out. I can’t do anything about it, eh.”
Atayde also stressed that cyberbullying, or any form of bullying, for that matter, has been a topic of discussion these days and he will not let this affect him, his family, and his growing relationship with Mendoza. He said, “I’m trying to understand where you’re coming from. But it’s not going to affect us, we’re not going to shut anything down just because of you guys.”
It can be remembered that in a Twitter post, Mendoza has responded to the negative comments directed to the siblings, Arjo and actress Ria Atayde, for accusing them of “using” the celebrity’s popularity to get ahead in the industry. She replied to a basher, “I would appreciate if you’ll show some respect not just to our family but to theirs as well. Just stop this nonsense and let us all do better instead. They get projects because of their talent, not because of any other reasons. Once and for all let’s give credit to whom its due.”
I would appreciate if you'll show some respect not just to our family but to theirs as well. Just stop this nonsense and let us all do better instead. They get projects because of their talent, not because of any other reasons. Once and for all let's give credit to whom its due.
— Maine Mendoza (@mainedcm) January 20, 2019
As of press time, Mendoza has yet to respond to the story on Atayde’s comment.