Congressman Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde and Maine Mendoza-Atayde are headed to Europe only days after their grand wedding.
It is a working trip for the neophyte lawmaker who will be there as Vice Chairperson of the Special Committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts.
The couple will also be attending the 76th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland after Atayde’s action-packed thriller “Topakk,” as directed by Richard Somes, was recognized there.
“Me, Maine and the rest of my family are so thankful to hear this announcement just a few days before our wedding day,” the 32-year-old actor-politician said, noting he could only be happy to bring pride for our country.
“I am so thrilled and excited together with my wife Maine to be recognized by the Locarno Film Festival,” he added.
Note “Topakk” also received recognition in Cannes, France last May.
During the trip, from Aug. 5-27, Arjo will still be attending to his duties as congressman albeit remotely.
“There’s so many things to be done in the congress and to my district. We cannot stop helping people more so in our district l,” he said.
It is nothing new for him, of course.
“Even before my special day or even the day I became a congressman of my district, we are already donating and helping a lot of typhoon or fire victims or anybody who need our help. Our team in my district is always monitoring any calamity and any other assistance needed by the people,” he added. “We never stop helping anyone even before.”
Arjo and Maine, meanwhile, expressed gratitude to their wedding guests especially their principal sponsors who all defied Typhoon Egay’s wrath just to be with them on their special day.
“Thank you for being with us despite the rainy weather in Baguio City and thank you for inspiring us,” Arjo said. “Despite the continuous rains and the huge risk of being in Baguio during that moment they still found a way to join us in our special day — and that’s the kind of persistence we want to show in helping our people in return.”
The ninongs were led by former senator Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, Maine’s noontime show colleagues, along with Antonio Tuviera.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, House Speaker Cong. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, businessman Miguel Atayde, ABS CBN CEO Carlo Katigbak and film producer Roldeo Endrinal were also present.
The ninangs were led by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, veteran actresses Maricel Soriano and Nova Villa, Jeny Ferre, Rhea Anicoche-Tan, Madeleine Tuviera, Celeste Tuviera, Jinky Jane Lacarta, ABS CBN executive Cory Vidanes and Rosabella Fernandez.
In the wedding invitation, all the guests as with the ninongs and ninangs were encouraged to give donations to the victims of calamities in lieu of gifts.
