Before they say their “I dos,” Maine and Arjo sit down with MEGA Entertainment to give us an exclusive interview and allow us to share a gift to their most loyal fans
This is an excerpt from MEGA Entertainment’s June 2023 cover story.
“It feels like it’s our first date every time.” Hearing these sweet and reassuring words uttered by phenomenal star Maine Mendoza makes any true fan feel at ease to finally see her settle down with her true love of almost five years, Arjo Atayde. The two are tying the knot soon. Believe us when we say that our conversation with the love birds sound like the most ideal of wedding vows.
It is a Monday after a long weekend, and a number of people are setting up a charming location in Parañaque City for one of the biggest couple shoots of the year. The team is composed of the crème de la crème of creatives, who are making sure that everything is in perfect condition—the hair, the makeup, the clothes, the lighting, the background, among other things.
We come in about an hour after the glam team had started working their magic, and both of them are already halfway ready. The rush of things feels like the prep area of a TV or movie project. Well, it is something like that, but the big difference is, it is theirs and it is very personal. This is Maine and Arjo allowing us to delve deeper into how their love story came about and where it is headed.
We sit down with the couple while they are having a breakfast break, and we can immediately see that they are as natural and as comfortable as any couple in love could be.
THE MEET-CUTE
Maine and Arjo met at a story conference in 2018 for the film Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles. They both recall how they were mutually shy around each another then. Arjo admits that he already had a crush on Maine at the time.
Was it love at first sight? We ask. Arjo replies, “Ang feeling ko, it was more of a sincere thing. I’ve always had a crush on her, and I’ve always had a thing for her, but there were no chances of meeting her. So I didn’t expect anything until I met her. At first, puro hiya-hiya, but it grew so quick when we got to know each other. But the moment we went out, there was a feeling of contentment that we can’t explain, and it just went smoothly for us. We just blend well together.”
Maine points out that falling in love was the most natural progression for them: “Same thing! I’ve always had a crush on him. We just matched: our personalities are opposites, but somehow our differences make up for what we each lack. So, I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight, but it was a series of conversations and getting to know this and stuff like that. It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, I saw him, and I love him.’ Walang gano’n. I wouldn’t consider it as love at first sight. Does it really happen in real life?”
“Natural” may be one of the simplest words, but it is also one of the most beautiful words that we want to use to describe the deep, loving relationship that Arjo and Maine has. As Maine puts it, “No pretensions. We get to be ourselves around each other.”
Follow Maine and Arjo’s story to forever in MEGA’s June 2023 issue, now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio
Creative Direction JONES PALTENG
Fashion Direction RYUJI SHIOMITSU
Beauty Direction MIA CASTRO
Makeup MIKKA MARCAIDA
Hair CELESTE TUVIERA
Grooming RYAN PANALIGAN
Styling CHRISTINE SION
Fashion Assistant BITHIA REYES
Shoot Coordination KZ FRANCISCO
Video Production REGINA ACERON
Videography JR Ramirez
Shot on location PALACIO DE MEMORIA
Special Thanks to JACQUI CARA, JOJO OCONER, and MICHAEL TUVIERA
