Arjo Atayde admits he is ‘exclusively dating’ Maine Mendoza

“We are exclusively dating, and I’m the happiest right now.” (File Photo: @arjoatayde/Instagram)

After numerous speculations, actor Arjo Atayde finally reveals that he and 23-year-old Maine Mendoza are “exclusively dating.”

During Arjo’s guesting on variety show Eat Bulaga last Tuesday, January 22, he was asked about his status with Maine, to which he says that they are not yet officially together, but in his words, “We are exclusively dating, and I’m the happiest right now,” adding in Filipino, “Let’s just leave it at that first.” The Eat Bulaga hosts then ask Arjo what he liked the most about the actress, and he quickly answers with, “Everything. I’m just really happy. She makes me laugh all the time.”

After news broke out, Arjo was given follow-up questions by numerous media outlets at his press conference for upcoming movie “Tol,” one question was about the negative response both his family and Maine receive. “Do it to me in person,” he responds, “I don’t know how to get mad. I don’t know how to disrespect people. I despise disrespectful people. If they disrespect me, it’s fine, though. But for my family to get affected, for Maine to be disrespected, that’s not okay with me.” He adds as a word to his bashers, “Do it in front of me, try it. I dare you guys. I dare you!”

On the other hand, Maine is quick to defend Arjo’s family on social media as well, responding to one user saying, “I would appreciate if you’ll show some respect not just to our family but to theirs as well. Just stop this nonsense and let us all do better instead. They get projects because of their talent, not because of any other reasons. Once and for all let’s give credit to whom its due.”

The couple initially worked together in 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles” this year, news of them dating surfacing in October after photos shown the two spending a lot of time together. However, in an interview in December, Mendoza stated that they were “just friends” and that they were in a “getting to know each other” phase.