Ria Atayde, Zanjoe Marudo are engaged!
CELEBRITY couple Ria Atayde and Zanjoe Marudo delighted fans on Tuesday with the announcement of their engagement.
Atayde, 31 and Marudo, 41, took to Instagram to share the good news, sharing a series of travel photos and a close-up shot of Atayde’s hand proudly displaying a sparkling diamond ring.
“Forever sounds good [white heart emoji] [ring emoji,]” wrote Atayde in the caption.
To which Marudo sweetly replied, “And tastes even better [white heart emoji].”
The actor then also posted a photo on his Instagram story kissing the actress on the cheek while laying in bed and wrote in the caption, “Hi fiancé [waving hand emoji].”
Their joint post garnered congratulatory messages from their family and friends.
“Yaaaay, love you guys! [white heart emoji],”commented Atayde’s sister-in-law Maine Mendoza, whose husband actorCongressman Arjo Atayde posted, “[Red heart emohi] love you two!”
“Congratulations Ri and Z!” shared Joshua Garcia.
“Ayaaaaan na,” wrote Angelica Panganiban.
“Ily both!!! Congrats and best wishes z and riri !!!! ” Janine Gutierrez said.
Gary Valenciano also said, “OMG !!!!! My heartfelt congratulations go out to the both of you !!!!! God bless you @ria @onlyzanjoemarudo.”
Also sharing their warm messages were Gela Atayde, Maris Racal, Lovi Poe, Elisse Joson, Toni Labrusca, Yassi Pressman, Raymond Gutierrez, Rayver Cruz, Maja Salvador and Enchong Dee, among many others.
Atayde and Marudo first worked together in the fantasy television series “My Dear Heart” in 2017 where they became close friends.
Rumors of the two dating began in August 2022 when they were spotted at a restaurant in New York with some friends. They were also constantly seen hanging out with their circle of celebrity friends, Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Joshua Garcia, and Alora Sasam, before Bernardo and Padilla’s breakup.
Atayde’s mother, veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez, first confirmed the pair’s relationship in October of the same year before Marudo’s official announcement in January 2023.
In a previous interview, Atayde revealed that their relationship stemmed from a “good friendship.”
“We really started as friends. I believe that being friends is always a good foundation for any relationship. Getting to know each other at that level and then moving forward is always a beautiful story. I feel like everything is already out in the open anyway. I don’t think there’s anything to deny or confirm. It seems like it’s already out there, so take it for what it is, I suppose,” said Atayde.
“But I think there’s a lot more peace in keeping things private. I know I’m a public figure, and that comes with the territory. But I feel like the status is already so public. Why do I have to make other aspects of it public? I’m fine with people knowing. That’s enough for me,” she added.