‘I will stay here no matter what’: Arjo Atayde gets emotional as he renews contract with ABS-CBN

Arjo Atayde renewed his contract with ABS-CBN on Friday, February 26, getting emotional as he thanked the Kapamilya network for supporting him throughout his career.

Arjo’s contract signing was streamed live in an event called Kapamilya Strong, where his fellow ABS-CBN talents Maymay Entrata, Edward Barber, Donny Pangilinan, Francine Diaz, and Gary Valenciano also signed new contracts with the network.

The talents signed their contracts alongside ABS-CBN executives, including chairman Mark Lopez, president and CEO Carlo Katigbak, COO of Broadcast Cory Vidanes, head of TV production Lauren Dyogi, head of finance Rick Tan, and ABS-CBN Films managing director Olivia Lamasan.

“Happy to be home,” the award-winning actor said, holding back tears after signing.

Arjo’s girlfriend, GMA-7 actress Maine Mendoza congratulated him in a video message that was played shortly after he signed. 

“Congratulations on your 8th year with Star Magic. I wish you more success in your career, more projects, more challenging and exciting roles,” she said, pledging her “110% support” for her boyfriend. 

“There’s so much in store for you, that I know for sure, pero ngayon palang sasabihin ko na sobrang proud ako sa ‘yo, sa mga narating mo at sa mga mararating mo pa (but as early as now, I’m already so proud of you, of what you’ve achieved, and what you have yet to achieve),” she continued. “Just keep doing what you love. Congratulations, and love you!”

The contract signing event became a show of solidarity from the stars of the embattled media network, which is still dealing with the aftermath of the rejection of their congressional franchise in July 2020. 

As each talent signed, they spoke about what made them proud to be part of the network.

“I owe it to everyone here beside me. I owe it to the people behind the camera. I owe it to my co-actors. I owe it to each and everyone in ABS-CBN. They took care of me. They always made sure I was fine,” Arjo said. “It feels like home.”

He also acknowledged how the network takes care of him, and gives him projects without expecting anything in return. 

“I just love being Kapamilya. I am a Kapamilya. I’m born to be a Kapamilya. And I will stay here no matter what,” he said.

Maymay also got emotional as she thanked the network for giving her an opportunity to follow her dreams. The actress first rose to fame after winning Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7 in 2016. 

“Hindi lang naman ako binigyan ng pagkakataon o oportunidad para po ipagmayabang kung anong meron ako, kundi po para maging inspirasyon dun sa mga taong kagayang nangangarap katulad ko (I wasn’t just given an opportunity to show what I have, but also to become an inspiration to other dreamers like me),” Maymay shared before signing her contract.

“Bilang Kapamilya, nadadapa tayo, sabay-sabay tayong bumabangon dahil iisang kapamilya tayo at ‘yun ‘yung panghahawakan ko habangbuhay, maging kapamilya sa katrabaho o sa kapwa ko (As a Kapamilya, when we fall, we rise together, because we are one family. That’s what I will hold on to forever, to be a Kapamilya with colleagues and with friends),” she continued.

Veteran performer Gary Valenciano spoke about the solidarity within ABS-CBN, likening it to the solidarity among his family. 

“I believe also here in ABS-CBN, especially now more than ever before, we have leadership that is doing very well also, along with all the other artists na magkapamilya talaga lahat (we are really family), not only in word or what we read, but really in our hearts,” he said.

He also commended ABS-CBN’s leadership for sticking it out through “the roughest of times.”

“When we say Kapamilya, talagang damang-dama namin ‘yan (we really feel it), and we really, really mean it. And if we can reach your families during this time of the pandemic, we will and we will do our utmost best to do so,” he said. – Rappler.com