Arjo Atayde
I’ve witnessed it and it was all for fun,” said actor Arjo Atayde on the issue that actor-producer Coco Martin maltreated crew members of the action-adventure series “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.”
Actor Robin Padilla, while discussing the controversial franchise renewal of ABS-CBN with his Instagram followers, claimed that Coco doused water on crew members whom the latter caught sleeping on the set, as well as quarreled with a female location manager.
“I wasn’t part of it, but I’ve seen it,” Arjo said of the water-dousing incident. “These people have been working with Coco for years. The team he formed while working in the series ‘Juan dela Cruz,’ he brought to ‘Ang Probinsyano.’ They already have an efficient working relationship and everyone who went to ‘Ang Probinsyano’ can attest to it.”
Arjo, however, did not comment on the issue involving the female location manager. “I don’t want to have issues with anyone. I’m just saying what I’ve witnessed and I’m speaking about what I actually experienced. It’s just for fun. It’s not offensive at all. It’s a joke. Things just got twisted. That’s what always happens in show biz.”
Arjo also said he wasn’t aware if any crew member filed a complaint against Coco. “I’m no longer in ‘Ang Probinsyano.’ They’ve been running for four years and I was there for only two,” he pointed out.
“I have no clue about what’s going on there anymore. I just know that they’re OK and they’re all into biking. ’Di ako nakikichismis and I never had any issues with anyone I’ve worked with there,” Arjo told reporters during the renewal of his contract as ambassador of the cosmetic company Beautederm. He is now endorsing a new line of products called Spruce & Dash.
Arjo also said his stint in “Ang Probinsyano” has inspired him to get into movie production. He recently conceptualized a story that would have featured the late Eddie Garcia in a film project. He has decided to push through with it, now with Nova Villa as coactor and Shugo Praico (“Bagman” series) as director.
The actor said he is currently working on a story that would feature his real-life girlfriend Maine Mendoza. “When the time is right, we’d also produce it for her,” he declared.
Asked about his opinion on celebrities opting to keep from the media details of their wedding ceremonies, such as the controversial union of Matteo Guidicelli and Sarah Geronimo, Arjo said he’d also keep his wedding celebration private. He quickly added he has no plans to tie the knot with Maine anytime soon.
“This is because I’m also a very private person. Yes, we talk about our future together. I’m at that age already,” he admitted. “This is my love story. This is it for me. What’s keeping us [from taking the plunge]? We just have commitments to fulfill, and being here for each other as we accomplish all the things we need to do personally will only make our love grow stronger.”
Does he see Maine as the only girl for him? “Of course,” Arjo declared.