Zanjoe Marudo shuts down breakup rumors with Ria Atayde

• Zanjoe Marudo strongly denied rumors that he and Ria Atayde have separated
• The actor said fake news has been spreading online, even reaching friends abroad
• He shared that he has changed many of his old habits as part of growing personally and emotionally
• Zanjoe is currently promoting the MMFF 2025 film “UnMarry,” which reunites him with Angelica Panganiban

Zanjoe Marudo finally put an end to the buzz online claiming he and his wife Ria Atayde have broken up. The Kapamilya actor was asked directly about the issue during the grand mediacon of his upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival 2025 movie “UnMarry,” and he did not hold back in clearing the air.

Rumors recently circulated on social media saying the couple had a major fight that led to a supposed split. But Zanjoe made it clear these stories were nothing more than online fiction. “Hindi ko na pinagpapapansin yung mga ganyan. Napakarami na talagang lumalabas na fake news sa socmed, sa YouTube,” he said, shaking his head at how far the stories had traveled.

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He even revealed that people overseas were calling him to ask if the gossip was true. “Ang daming tumatawag sa akin from the States na nagtatanong, ‘Uy, ano totoo ba? Totoo ba?’ Sabi ko sa kanila, ‘Bakit iyan ang libangan n’yo? Ha-hahaha!’” he shared. He added that these friends only wanted clarity so they could tell others the truth. “Hindi totoo! Hindi totoo!” he said with a laugh.

Zanjoe also opened up about personal growth. With his new film tackling themes of endings, healing, and starting over, the actor reflected on how he overcame his own challenges. “Kung paano ako umabot sa ganito, siguro yung dating version ko na insecure, matagal magdesisyon, walang bilib sa sarili, yun yung mga binago ko,” he admitted. He explained that letting go of those traits made his outlook better. “And then, gumanda yung pananaw ko sa buhay. Nag-iba yung relationship ko sa mga tao. Tulad ngayon may masaya na akong pamilya.”

“UnMarry,” his film with Angelica Panganiban, marks an important comeback for both stars. It also reunites them with director Jeffrey Jeturian after memorable past projects. The movie follows the intertwined stories of Celine and Ivan, both navigating failed marriages, parenthood, and the emotional weight that comes with moving on.

The film explores whether new beginnings are still possible after painful goodbyes. Its quiet, grounded storytelling is what drew Angelica to say yes. “Siguro unang una yung tiwala sa mga makers nung film… nung narinig ko na yung kuwento, yung simplicity nung story niya but at the same time very complex,” she said. She appreciated that the material didn’t force dramatic extremes. “Ang ganda-ganda nu’ng atake, nu’ng storytelling, na hindi siya nanghihingi ng kahit anong bigness. Ang tahimik ng atake ng storytelling niya.”

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Joining Zanjoe and Angelica are Tom Rodriguez, Solenn Heussaff, and Eugene Domingo, each playing characters that add depth to the emotional journey of the story. The film will screen nationwide starting December 25 as part of the 2025 MMFF lineup.

With Zanjoe opening up about both his personal growth and the fake breakup rumors, fans were quick to rally behind him and Ria, who continue to keep their relationship grounded and private.

Previously, “Zanjoe Marudo shares how Angelica Panganiban supports Ria Atayde, a fellow mom,” highlights how Angelica has become a steady presence not only in Zanjoe’s work life but also in Ria’s motherhood journey. The story shows the tight bond within their circle and how they support each other beyond the cameras.

Earlier, Zanjoe discussed his views on relationships ending and the importance of compassion in navigating them. This ties closely to the themes of his film, giving fans a deeper look at how his personal reflections connect with his work.

Source: KAMI.com.gh