Eight years since she entered the industry, Ria Atayde has finally scored her first-ever lead role in a teleserye through Nag-aapoy Na Damdamin, which serves as one of the first collaborations of ABS-CBN and TV5. But before we get to see her in a different light in this series, let’s look back on some of her exceptional performances in the past series she starred in via this Kapamilya Spotlight feature!
Ria’s first-ever showbiz gig was the 2015 daytime drama Ningning, wherein she endeared us as Teacher Hope Cruz. The following year, she had her debut in the three long-running anthologies of ABS-CBN. She had her first appearance in Maalaala Mo Kaya through its “Puno ng Mangga” episode, starring alongside Joseph Marco and Matt Evans. It was succeeded by her stint in the “Kapansanan” episode of Ipaglaban Mo, which she headlined along with RK Bagatsing and Karen Reyes, as well as in Wansapanataym Presents “Holly and Mau,” wherein she initially showcased her chops as a kontrabida.
In 2017, she was cast in the inspirational drama My Dear Heart as Dra. Gia Divinagracia Lana, the biological mother of the titular character played by child star Heart Ramos. She then appeared in another episode of Ipaglaban Mo titled “Mental”, playing the role of a nurse in psychiatric ward, as well as in MMK through the “Damit” episode, in which she impressed us with her portrayal of Australia-based Filipina entrepreneur Hershey Hilado. She also had a special participation in Wansapanataym Presents “Amazing Ving” as the gracious and powerful deity, Reyna Maxima.
The following year, she astonished us anew with her performances in the “Disgrasyada” episode of Ipaglaban Mo as a ferocious woman fighting for her rights, as well as in Wansapanataym Presents “Ofishially Yours,” which was topbilled by Elisse Joson and Boyband PH. She then starred in the controversial series Halik as Pinky "Baste" Sebastian, who had a significant role in the lives and relationship of the lead characters.
In 2019, Ria had a special participation in Wansapanataym Presents “Mr. Cute-pido” as Maxene, the ex-girlfriend of the titular role played by McCoy de Leon, then returned in Ipaglaban Mo through its “Gayuma” episode, astounding us with her portrayal of Lily, a woman sexually abused by a quack doctor. Later that year, she was tapped to become one of the main casts of the weekly fantasy drama series Parasite Island, taking on the role of Janelle Salvacion.
Two years after, we got to see her again on MMK via its special Valentines episode “Blouse” episode, wherein she amused us with her depiction of Janice, a woman who did everything to seek the approval of her husband Eddie’s (Jake Cuenca) mother, Aling Corsing (Malou de Guzman). She and Jake went on to work together anew in the Kapamilya series Viral Scandal, in which she played the role of his love interest Atty. Lara Dizon.
Aside from the aforementioned TV shows, Ria also appeared in two Lenten specials of It’s Showtime, namely “The Wedding” in 2016 and “Destination: Home” in 2018, as well as in an episode of the documentary program Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan? She also starred in the iWantTFC original series “High” (2019), “Manilennials” (2019), and “Misis Piggy”, and in the psychological thriller drama “Cattleya Killer”.
And beginning this July 25, we’re about to see her fiercer and bolder version as she top-bills the much-awaited revenge drama Nag-aapoy Na Damdamin, portraying the antagonistic character of Melinda.
Are you excited as us to see her in a different light? Well, you better not miss an episode once it premieres this coming July 25! It will be broadcast during weekdays at 3:50PM on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, iWantTFC, TFC, A2Z and TV5.