Award-winning actress Sylvia Sanchez was emotional when her son, Rep. Juan Carlos "Arjo" Atayde (Quezon City, District 1), led the inauguration of the dialysis center on Oct. 10.

"Habang may blessing ng dialysis center, pinipigilan ko lang talaga yung luha ko dahil sa tuwa. Super proud talaga ako. Wow! Nakita ko talaga yung kabutihan ng bata," said Sylvia during an interview. She was accompanied by her husband businessman-philanthropist Art Atayde. "Nakakatuwa kasi pinanindigan niya na tutulong siya sa mga tao. Yun naman ang gusto niya. Naiiyak ako."

In September, Arjo won the Best Male Lead in a TV Program/Series for his portrayal of Anton Dela Rosa, the complex and intense central character in Cattleya Killer, at the 2024 ContentAsia Awards in Taiwan.

Sylvia shared her advice for Arjo, seeking reelection in the 2025 national election.

"Dapat priority niya ang mga tao hindi lang yung sarili niya. Nanumpa siya na tutulong siya sa mga tao kaya dapat totohanin niya."

Sylvia described Arjo as someone who is selfless. "Lagi kami ni Art nasa tabi ng anak namin. Full support kami sa kanya."

Never VIP

Sylvia also mentioned that her son never considered himself a VIP even after he was elected as a congressman.

"Ang kagandahan kay Arjo, hindi siya VIP sa amin dahil congressman siya.  Wala naman ganun. Pipila yan kung kailangan. Ayaw niyang gamitin ang pagiging congressman niya. Ayaw niyang abusuhin," she said.

Sylvia expressed that her son's involvement in politics kept him very occupied, and she found herself missing him greatly. 

She came to the realization that engaging in politics resulted in a busier schedule than that of a movie star.

"Hindi na namin sya masyadong nakakasama. Mas malala pa sa schedule ng artista. Bihira ko na rin siyang makasama kasi married na siya at may sariling buhay na sila ni Maine (Mendoza). Minsan nag tetext na lang kami Sasabihin ko, 'Anak, miss na kita. Pwede ba tayong magkita?"

Sylvia assured her children that she would wholeheartedly back them if they chose to pursue a career in politics later on in life.

"Bahala sila decision nila yun. Hindi kami makikialam sa kanila. Kung ano ang gusto nila, sige lang go lang. Ganun naman kaming mag-asawa eh. Right now si Arjo lang talaga muna."

Sylvia joining politics?

She acknowledged that she had been approached by various other groups to enter the political arena, but she felt that the timing was not right for her to take that step.

"May mga nagsasabi na dapat pumasok na rin ako sa pulitika. Hinihingi ako rito sa district 1 na tumakbo raw ako. Hindi ko pa oras huwag muna nilang madaliin. Enjoy ako sa mga apo ko. 

"Hindi ko sinasarado ang opportunity na tumakbo pero hindi pa ngayon. In God's time. If he will allow it, why not? Kung darating man yung time na yun gusto ko may mga bala akong panlaban sa giyera na papasukin ko. 

"Hindi yung basta na lang akong papasok na walang alam. Mag-aaral ako kasi wala akong alam sa batas.

"Wala ng question sa pagtulong dahil matagal na tayong tumutulong. Ang question is alam ko ba yung mga batas kung papasok ako (sa politics)," Sylvia said.

On her Christmas wish, Sylvia said: Peace of mind, happiness, good health. Maging masaya ang mga anak ko at okay ang buhay nila. Wish ko naman kay Arjo is gabayan pa siya lagi ng Diyos. Maging mabuti siyang tao at sana magka-anak na sila ni Maine."

Aksyon Agad dialysis center

On Tuesday, Arjo launched the first free dialysis center in Bgy. Bahay Toro, Quezon City, "a project that aims to offer life-saving treatment to those who need it the most—our underprivileged kababayans who are battling kidney disease."

At the launch of the Aksyon Agad Dialysis Center, Arjo explained that "kidney disease is a major public health issue in our country. Sa katunayan, ang sakit sa bato ay isa sa mga pangunahing problemang pangkalusugan sa ating bansa."

"Ayon sa National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), ang sakit sa bato ay pang-pitong nangungunang sanhi ng kamatayan sa Pilipinas. Humigit-kumulang 35,000 na mga Pilipino ang sumasailalim sa dialysis kada taon, at patuloy pang tumataas ang bilang na ito." 

The lawmaker lamented that because of the high costs of treatment, "many of our sick countrymen are left struggling, forced to choose between their health and their livelihood. Buhay, o hanapbuhay."

"Marami sa atin ay may kakilala—isang kamaganak, kaibigan, o kapitbahay—na dumaan o kasalukuyang dumadaan sa hirap ng pagkakaroon ng sakit sa bato. Para sa iba, ito’y matagal nang laban, at para sa iba naman, ito’y biglang dumating at lubos na nakakaapekto sa kanilang buhay," said Arjo.

The facility contains 20 dialysis machines from Japan that serve up to 60 patients per day.

He pointed out "isang bagay lang ang tiyak: ang sakit sa bato ay hindi lamang pisikal na pahirap kundi isa ring pasaning pinansyal."

"Isipin niyo ang sakit na gustong-gusto mong gumaling, pero hindi mo kayang tustusan ang paggamot na maaaring magligtas sa iyong buhay. Maraming Pilipino ang araw-araw ay nahaharap sa ganitong kalunos-lunos na sitwasyon."

At the launch of the center, Arjo acknowledged the support of Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and emphasized that the collaboration between the local government and members of Congress helped make the center a reality.

Arjo addressed his constituents in the first district and said that it is his mission "to provide swift action—Aksyon Agad—on the issues that affect our everyday lives. Aksyon agad sa mga isyung nakakaapekto sa ating pang-araw-araw na buhay."

"Access to proper healthcare should not be a privilege for a few but a right for all. Hindi dapat para sa iilan, kundi para sa lahat. This dialysis center is a product of that promise. Here, we are offering not just treatment, but hope. Ang libreng dialysis ay malaking bagay para sa ating mga kababayang nangangailangan. Ito ay nagbibigay ng pagkakataong mabuhay nang mas mahaba at mas malusog nang hindi na pinoproblema ang mahal na bayarin sa ospital."

Arjo said the completion of the first AA Dialysis Center would only be possible with the help of the National Government led by President Bongbong Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez. 

"Sa tulong po ng ating national government, nina President Bongbong Marcos at Speaker Martin Romualdez, nagpababa po ng pondo dito hindi lang po sa distrito uno kundi sa buong Quezon City so definitely po this will be running all throughout the year," Arjo said.

Arjo added that they aim to add at least three more Aksyon Agad dialysis centers in his district and noted the importance of public and private partnerships in creating such centers.