A mother's quiet pride

A certain stillness fills the air when a mother watches her son take the stage — not just in the literal sense, but in that deeper, more profound way when he stands for something far greater than himself. This is what the Skydome felt like on the afternoon of actor-turned-public servant Representative Juan Carlos "Arjo" Atayde's first State of the District Address (SODA) this week — an earnest, emotional and impressive first report that marked a significant evolution in his journey both as a leader and voice for his constituents.

As the young and driven first-term legislator proceeded with his SODA — detailing how more than 400,000 residents had already benefited from his flagship "Aksyon Agad" programs while reaffirming his heartfelt commitment to Quezon City's First District (read TMT report "Over 400K QC residents get aid from Atayde's program" by Arlie Calalo, March 26) — his mother, actress and producer Sylvia Sanchez, unintentionally emerged as a quiet focal point throughout the triumphant event.

As the cameras found her beside her husband, businessman Art Atayde, and projected her image onto the big screen, Sylvia remained composed yet visibly moved — bearing witness to her son embracing his role with purpose, gravity and resolve in a way only a mother can.

Eyes still misty as the thunderous applause for a visibly emotional Cong. Arjo died down at the end of his speech, The T-Zone caught up with Sylvia for an impromptu and heartfelt exchange. There, on the sidelines, she spoke openly about the son she had just seen take the spotlight in a way she had never witnessed before.

"I'm so proud of him! Pinipigil ko yung luha ko (I was holding back my tears)," she said with a laugh, admitting that she failed to hold them back in the end.

Her expression still carrying the emotion of the moment, she went on to say in Filipino, "I was just staring at him, thinking, 'Oh wow, Lord, thank you for blessing me with a child like that.' That's all I can say — I'm filled with so much gratitude."

Sylvia spoke simply — just as mothers often do when their pride swells beyond words — but her voice carried the full weight of watching a child step into his calling. She described a son who had changed in ways that humbled and inspired her.

Cong. Arjo, she said, had become tireless in his work for the district.

"He hardly rests, and he barely sleeps these days," she shared, referring to his long hours of public service and the constant demands of his sworn duty. "But he's happy doing what he does. That's why we let him be, and he always, always has our full support — mine, his dad's, the whole family's."

Sylvia then elaborated on the transformation she had witnessed up close in her eldest son — both as a mother and a public observer.

"Before, he was really a baby — a mama's boy. But now, he's completely changed and grown into a very principled man," she noted. "And what's beautiful is that, even though he's a congressman now, he never allowed the title get to his head. He's not the type to act like 'I have power' or that he has the right to do whatever he wants. Instead, he's become even more grounded, even more humble — and he's reaching out to people more than ever."

It is this humility, paired with the sincerity she instilled in him from childhood, which Sylvia believes truly connects Cong. Arjo to his constituents.

"For Arjo, action is puso (heart)," she said. "He doesn't act for appearances or applause — he acts with heart." And that, she believes, is why the people of District 1 have come to love him.

"In just three years," she continued, "he has done so much and never bragged about what he's accomplished. I'm sure even you were surprised by all he's done, right? He built a free dialysis center, he's built schools, and he's building a hospital — he's doing all of it and more. And I'm just really, really proud of our boy."

Looking ahead, Sylvia said very little about what's next. But the way she observed Cong. Arjo that day — attentively and completely, with a mother's pride and a citizen's trust — spoke volumes. It reflected a quiet confidence in his chosen path and a belief that her son was ready for greater responsibilities ahead.

Now, what comes next is no longer a question: Cong. Arjo is running for re-election. And this time, as he once again seeks the trust of District 1, it won't be just his programs or promises that resonate — but the consistency of his service, the sincerity of his efforts, and the steady conviction that, on that afternoon, radiated not only from the podium but from the proud mother standing nearby.And so, with eyes on the next chapter, Cong. Arjo steps forward once again — with heart, humility and the backing of those who know him best.