I’m not a lawbreaker: Arjo Atayde finally breaks silence on Baguio protocol breach

Arjo Atayde

“I was never a lawbreaker nor did I purposely escape quarantine in Baguio City.”

This was according to controversial actor Arjo Atayde, who in some reports had been accused of breaching the city’s COVID-19 protocols while shooting a film there in August.

While news reports also stated that his family, as well as officers of his film production company, Feelmaking Productions Inc., have already met up with Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s group to settle the health protocol violation issue, Arjo has turned down requests for interviews on the topic until now.

“I guess I really have to clear that out,” said Arjo, who admitted that the issue continues to haunt him even three months after the incident. “I’ll be very honest. Hindi po ako tumakas. I already left the night before Mayor texted me the protocols. I have proof of this in my messages. He even said they appreciate our cooperation. I told him, ‘Sorry, Mayor, I did not know. I’m in Cardinal Santos [Medical Center]. I had myself checked in because of my asthma. I went straight to the hospital.’ We had an exchange of messages after that and I have the proof.”

‘One-sided’

In an exclusive interview with Inquirer, Arjo said he was surprised to see reports after his chat with Magalong that were “pure accusations and one-sided.” He added: “Everything was just a lie. I just want to say that I really didn’t do anything wrong. After that, people were already up my alley, bashing me at the worst time of the day—when I couldn’t breathe and was so stressed.”

He further said: “I apologize to the people of Baguio, to Baguio government if it seemed like tumakas ako, as well as all these things that they accused me of. I never had the intention of going down to 7-Eleven and buying hot dogs before going to Cardinal Santos. I’m not like that.”

According to Magalong, Arjo’s team had already been filming the movie “Hey, Joe” in the city for nearly two months. They were given permission to shoot provided that they stay in a bubble and not leave the city throughout the shoot. In August, nine other members of Arjo’s crew tested positive. During the interview, the mayor also said Arjo’s team failed to meet the monthly testing they had committed to doing.

“We do our antigen tests regularly. We observe protocols properly,” said Arjo, who also recalled the time his parents, actress Sylvia Sanchez and businessman Art Atayde, got infected with COVID-19 in April 2020. “My parents almost died because of the virus. Why would I put anyone in harm? It does not make sense. I will tell you this: I had COVID-19. It felt so terrifying that I wouldn’t even wish it on my enemy. It was horrible. I will defend myself because I have proof on my phone.”

‘Big miscommunication’

Asked whether he was ever able to trace how they got infected, Arjo said: “I don’t mean to offend people in any way, but it was very hard to trace. I have to be honest. For example, if you are 50 in a group and some of you got infected but were asymptomatic, that’s really hard to determine. The best way now is to move on and heal everyone. I made sure everyone was OK.”

He then recalled what transpired during the meeting with Magalong. “Our producers went, too. What happened was a big miscommunication between our production and the government of Baguio. One thing I learned is that people can be so judgmental. People can be so one-sided.”

With girlfriend Maine Mendoza (left)

“While growing up, whenever I side with someone, my family would always tell me, ‘Hey, there are two sides to a coin. You have to listen. You can’t judge.’ It’s very sad that people are like that. Again, I apologize, but I will never take back the fact that I didn’t make takas and that I’m a lawbreaker. Also, I will not abandon my people, even if you ask any of them,” he declared.

Excerpts from our exclusive interview:

What was it like when you got infected by the virus?

To tell you honestly, the experience was very scary. The only thing I could think about was that, “Will I still be able to go home?” More than physical, I would have to say the mental challenge was something else. It was one of the scariest times of my life, if not, the scariest. I couldn’t breathe. That was how it felt like, plus the stinging pain on my back because of the pneumonia.

Tell us more about “Hey, Joe.”

When I became part of “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” I was given the opportunity to work with the legend, Eddie Garcia, as well as with Direk Avel Sunpongco, who eventually became my business partner and friend.

Tito Eddie passed away a month before we were about to shoot the film. I wrote that for him. That was eight years in concept, so I tried to forget it. Eventually, it came to light. We came up with our best choice ever, Tita Nova Villa.

We’re trying to present something here that’s very different. People are so used to the cliche love stories, and I say we have to be able to widen our range in terms of love because it really comes in different forms, in different situations, and for different people.

You are now very vocal about your relationship with Maine Mendoza (she defended him amid the protocol breach row). You even said in an interview that she could be the one. At what age do you see yourself settling down with her?

When I was younger, I had wanted to get married at 25. Now that we’re in the 2000s, 35 na. To tell you frankly, I’m turning 31 … (on Nov. 5), it’s not anymore about if I want it or not, I’m already at that age. It’s very natural for anyone at this age to already think about it.

What kind of husband do you imagine yourself to be like?

If I want an adventurous life, I would definitely want to share that with her. If we’re talking about her being a housewife, obviously, I will give her the choice of that. That’s also the reason I’m working hard. I want to be able to provide for my family like how my dad did for us.

Do you want a big family?

I want a big one because we have a big family and it’s fun. I’m close to my first cousins. We’re very clannish. I’d rather hang out with them because I can be myself with them.