SHOWBIZ BEAT MEDIA

Kapuso actress Maine Mendoza defended her boyfriend Arjo Atayde’s after being criticized for allegedly violating health protocols while filming for a project in Baguio City.

Rumors began to spread online that the Bagman star left the venue after he and nine production staff apparently tested positive for COVID-19. This did not sit well with some netizens, with some accusing Arjo of breaching protocols and abandoning his co-workers.

Maine took a swipe at bashers and said, “Hello! I am not “tolerating” him but there’s just so much you do not know about the story. And I hope he gets the chance to tell his side and the context of what had happened these past few days. I also hope you do not base your judgments solely on what you see online because you might be seeing an angle of the real scenario.”

Apart from Maine, Arjo’s co-workers came to Arjo’s defense. Actor Nikko Natividad spoke up and said, “Hindi kame inabanduna. Nakakatawa kasi pagkakareport. At hindi rin ho tumakas. Sinugod ho sa hospital.”

In an Instagram post, Manuel Chua explained what had transpired and said, “Hindi po kamu inabandona ni Arjo Atayde, kami po una niya iniisip lagi, bago sarili niya.Sobra-sobra po pag-aalaga niya sa amin.”

“Wala pong pang aabandona na nangyari, at wala pong pagpapabaya sa mga kasama na nangyari. Lahat po kami ay inalagaan ni Arjo at buong production ng Feelmaking,” the actor added.

Jobert Austria also defended Arjo and said “Kung iniwan kami sir patay na kami. Hindi nang iwan ‘yung tinakbo sa hospital kasi ayaw nga niya umuwi dahil nag-aalala siya sa amin.”

Meanwhile, Alexa Miro took to Instagram and quashed the rumors that Arjo left his co-actors. “Many are saying Arjo Atayde left and abandoned us in Baguio when he tested positive for COVID-19. That, first and foremost, is FALSE.”

“Us, his co-actor, were very worried as well and wanted him to receive immediate proper medical care despite him insisting he did not want to leave us behind. And that, he DID NOT do,” she stressed.

One may note that Feelmaking Productions Inc. announced in a statement that Arjo had tested positive for Covid-19 in Baguio City, and insinuated that it was imperative that he head to the hospital.

The statement wrote, ““Arjo Atayde tested positive for COVID-19 as shooting for his new film culminated in Baguio last August 16. Arjo was suffering from high fever, headaches, and difficulty breathing. It was the mutual decision of Feelmaking Productions Inc., Arjo’s parents, and doctors to rush the actor, who has a pre-existing medical condition, straight to a hospital in Manila on August 17.” 

It also cited, “We have likewise coordinated with the local officials for the necessary safety protocols. The Atayde family has reached out to Mayor Benjamin Magalong and we assure him and the people of Baguio that we will comply with our commitments to the city.” 

The production company also stated that they were grateful to have been given the chance to film in Baguio City and apologized for any ‘inconvenience’ that the incident had caused.  

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail photo from Instagram (@maindcm)