Maine Mendoza and Arjo Atayde. Image: Instagram/@jajasamaniego via @starmagicphils
Days after their Baguio wedding, Arjo Atayde and Maine Mendoza will be heading to Switzerland, Italy and Greece as part of the actor-politician’s official trip as vice chairperson of the House special committee on creative industry and performing arts.
The newlywed couple will attend the 76th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland after Atayde’s “Topakk,” helmed by director Richard Somes, was recognized anew by another international film institution last week, as per a press release from Atayde’s camp.
This recognition came after the action-packed thriller also had its screening at the Fantastic Pavilion of the Cannes Marché du Film in France last May.
“Me, Maine and the rest of my family are so thankful to hear this announcement just a few days before our wedding day,” Atayde said, noting that he was happy to bring home another pride for the Philippine film industry.
“I am so thrilled and excited together with my wife Maine to be recognized by Locarno Film Festival,” he added.
Parents of the newlywed couple Maine Mendoza-Atayde and husband Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde (from left) Engineer Teodoro Mendoza Jr. and Mrs Mary Ann Mendoza, Arturo Atayde and Josette Atayde (better known as Sylvia Sanchez) pose for a photo after the wedding last Friday at the Alphaland Chapel in Baguio City. (Contributed photo)
Atayde, who will be working remotely during their Europe trip from Aug. 5 to 27 to attend to his duties as the Quezon City first district Congressman, was also tasked by Congress to visit the Filipino communities in Italy and Greece.
“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,” Atayde added.
Meanwhile, Atayde and Mendoza have expressed their gratitude to their guests, especially their principal sponsors, for inspiring the couple “to become a good role model” and for weathering the storm to attend the pair’s wedding.
“We are really inspired to see their presence 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 on helping our people in return,” Arjo stated.
Ninangs and Ninongs (from left) Jeny Ferre, Rosabella Fernandez, Madeleine Tuviera, Celeste Tuviera, Novelita Gallegos, Maricel Soriano, ABS CBN executive Cory Vidanes, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Rhea Anicoche-Tan, the wedding couple Maine Mendoza-Atayde and Rep. Arjo Atayde, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, ABS CBN CEO Carlo Katigbak, Roldeo Endrinal, Joey de Leon, Miguel Atayde, former senator Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Antonio Tuviera pose for a pictorial on Friday, July 28, 2023, at the Alphaland Chapel in Baguio City. (Contributed photo)
The godfathers were led by former senator Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon, who are Mendoza’s “E.A.T.” colleagues, along with TV producer Tony Tuviera.
READ: House: No public funds for Arjo Atayde, Maine Mendoza’s Europe trip
Also present on the wedding day were principal sponsors Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, businessman Miguel Atayde, ABS-CBN CEO Carlo Katigbak and film producer Roldeo Endrinal.
The godmothers, on the other hand, were led by Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, veteran actresses Maricel Soriano and Nova Villa (Novelita Gallegos), Jeny Ferre, Rhea Anicoche-Tan, Madeleine Tuviera, Celeste Tuviera, Jinky Jane Lacarta, ABS-CBN executive Cory Vidanes (Maria Socorro Valenzuela) and Rosabella Fernandez.
The couple’s wedding entourage also included actors Enchong Dee and Joseph Marco as groomsmen, and Maja Salvador, MJ Lastimosa, Ciara Sotto, Kristine Hermosa and Sheen Halili as bridesmaids.
(Contributed photo)
As per the couple’s wedding invitation, they encouraged their godparents to give donations to calamity victims in lieu of wedding gifts.
Atayde and Mendoza tied the knot last July 28, after four years of being in a relationship. /ra