Sylvia Sanchez, Ria Atayde and Zanjoe Marudo. Image: Instagram/@sylviasanchez_a, @onlyzanjoemarudo
Sylvia Sanchez recently gave her seal of approval to Zanjoe Marudo for her daughter Ria Atayde, with the veteran actress describing him as a kind-hearted and respectful person.
Sanchez spoke about this during her and Atayde’s interview with Alora Sasam for “ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2022,” as seen on the network’s YouTube channel on Sunday, Dec. 18. The topic was brought up after Sasam asked Sanchez whether Atayde is “naughty or nice” whenever in a relationship.
“Nice siya [kasi] binibigay lahat, sinusuko lahat. Sinasabihan ko siya talaga na, ‘Magtira ka para sa sarili mo,'” Sanchez said. (She is nice because she gives and surrenders all [when she is in a relationship]. I always tell her, “Leave something for yourself.”)
When asked if she sees a difference in Atayde now that she’s dating Marudo, Sanchez answered affirmatively. Sanchez and Atayde initially avoided mentioning Marudo’s name, but Sasam blurted it out after Sanchez jokingly threatened to withhold Sasam’s Christmas gift if she would not say his name.
“Ang laki ng pinagbago. Ang laki ng kaibahan,” Sanchez stated of her daughter’s relationship. “Masaya ako.” (There was a big change, a big difference. I’m happy.)
“Kaya ko pino-post kasi gusto ko [siya],” she continued, apparently referring to her Instagram post with Marudo in November. “Mabait si Z, ma-respetong bata and gustong-gusto ko siya.”
(I posted about him because I like him. Z is kind. He is a respectful child and I really want him [for Ria].)
Marudo and Ria’s dating status was made public by Sanchez last Oct. 9, saying at the time that Marudo was still courting her daughter.
The pair then appeared to have gone Instagram official in November after they showed what seemed to be “couple photos” from their Japan trip. In the same month, Marudo also bonded with Ria’s family. EDV