John Paul Joseph Cadayona (born March 3, 1989), professionally known as Sef Cadayona, is a Filipino actor, host, comedian, and dancer. He is an alumnus of the
fifth season of the Philippine reality talent show ''
StarStruck''.
Sef is called as the male
Sheena Halili for portraying sidekick roles in various TV series. The series where he became a sidekick are
''Ilumina'' (2010) as the best friend of
Aljur Abrenica, ''
Time of My Life ''(2011) as the gay best friend of
Kris Bernal, ''
Alice Bungisngis and her Wonder Walis'' (2012) as the sidekick of
Jean Garcia; in
''Together Forever'' as best friend of Julie Ann San Jose
and in ''
Mundo Mo'y Akin
''Mundo Mo'y Akin'' (International title: ''Deception'' / ) is a 2013 Philippine television drama series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Andoy Ranay, it stars Sunshine Dizon, Angelika Dela Cruz, Alden Richards and Louise delos Reyes. It ...
'' (2013) as the best friend of
Alden Richards' role.
Aside from his sidekick roles, Sef also is getting attention because of his gay portrayals in several
GMA Network shows.
Biography
Early life and career beginnings
Cadayona already made some TV appearances through the commercial of an
ice cream brand that made a signature due to the weird scenarios on how to spend the
20 peso bill that is still on the air.
2009–10: ''StarStruck''
Cadayona made it to the final fourteen last November, 2009 with
Steven Silva and
Sarah Lahbati who got the Ultimate Survivor title for male and female, respectively.
He was considered as one of the threats for the boys because he was very active and he excelled in almost every tasks that were being given to them. During the dancing week given Douglas Nierras as the mentor, he gave 100% of his performance and had a chance to perform on stage paired with
Nina Kodaka who finished 6th in the competition. However, during that week, he was included in the bottom group where
Zeryl Lim went home.
In the following week, he was again included in the bottom group together with
Princess Snell and the first timer by then,
Rox Montealegre, where he was declared as the fourth avenger. He accepted his fate that time with humility. He said that what happened to him is just the beginning and just pray no matter what.
2010–present: Post ''StarStruck''
He signed a 5-year contract under
GMA Artist Center together with other ''StarStruck V'' "avengers". Cadayona only wants simple things which are "great projects". He is sure that he will be taken care of and he knows that he is in good hands.
He may be one of the early evicted competitors in the said competition, but he still had a chance to be more active on television compared to some of his contemporaries. He was included in the musical variety show, ''
Party Pilipinas
''Party Pilipinas'' () is a Philippine television variety show broadcast by GMA Network. Hosted by Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Jaya and Janno Gibbs, it premiered on March 28, 2010 replacing ''SOP''. The show concluded on May 19, 2013 with a ...
,'' where the Final Five of ''StarStruck V'' were also included. He has also a hosting stint at ''
Startalk'' together with
Jan Manual and
Chariz Solomon who are from the StarStruck's
fourth season.
In early 2010, he already began to be an actor by having a guest role in the comedy series,''
Diva, ''as the rival of the character of the character of
Mark Herras'' ''in a dance contest. He became also a guest for several episodes in the now defunct show, ''
I Laugh Sabado ''wherein he portrayed different roles to show his comedic skills. In mid-2010, Sef had his first regular role through
''Ilumina'' which was shown in prime time. The said show was led by
Aljur Abrenica,
Jackie Rice and
Rhian Ramos.
In 2011, Cadayona was cast in the second episode of ''
Spooky Nights ''series entitled "''The Ring Tone''". He portrayed the role of a gay character, Vanessa. Come mid-2011, he became part of the ''danceserye'' of GMA Network following the success of ''Diva'' - ''
Time of My Life''. In December 2011, Sef had his first film through the
2011 Metro Manila Film Festival and one of the most successful movie franchises of
Regal Films. The film is ''
Shake, Rattle & Roll 13.''
In 2012, Cadayona was a part of the
Bea Binene
Beanca Marie Binene (born November 4, 1997), professionally known as Bea Binene (), is a Filipinos, Filipino actress and TV host. She was a finalist on ''StarStruck Kids'' and has played the role of Natalie Dimaculangan on ''First Time (TV se ...
-starred TV series, ''
Alice Bungisngis and her Wonder Walis, ''as Tomas, one of the assistants of Esmeralda (
Jean Garcia). He also portrayed the supporting role of Jefferson Teodoro in the weekly teen-oriented series,
''Together Forever'' as Ely and Toyang's friend. During the last quarter of the year, he was a part of the
Filipino adaptation of the hit Korean series,''
Coffee Prince'', as Baldo, the ever loyal and overly submissive suitor of Andy's sister, Mylene.
Also in 2012 marked a milestone for Cadayona for his career in the silver-screen. He had four films in a year, including two from
GMA Films (''
My Kontrabida Girl
''My Kontrabida Girl'' (''My Antagonist Girl'' or ''My Villain Girl'') is a 2012 Filipino romantic comedy film written and directed by Jade Castro. It stars Rhian Ramos, Aljur Abrenica, Bea Binene and Jake Vargas. This movie was produced by GMA Pic ...
'' and ''
Just One Summer''). Sef also made two
independent films, one is under the production of
Cinema One
Cinema One (also called C1 and stylized as C1NEMAONE) is a Philippine pay television channel targeted to the Filipino diaspora. It is owned by Creative Programs Inc., a subsidiary of Philippine media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation. Its progr ...
entitled ''Slumber Party''; his character was Jonel, a guy who wants to be in a frat and the part of his initiation was to sneak in a house.
The other one was an entry in the New Wave Section of
2012 Metro Manila Film Festival
The 38th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is a part of the annual film festival in Metro Manila, Philippines held from December 25, 2012 until January 8, 2013. During the festival, no foreign films are shown in Philippine theaters in order to show ...
with a title ''Gayak.'' He played a gay character, but unlike his previous gay roles which are of comic relief, his character in ''Gayak'' pleaded for sorrow and sympathy.
Because of his performance in the said film, Golden Screen Awards for Movies awarded him the Breakthrough Performance by an Actor award.
In early 2013, he portrayed
Wally Bayola's teenage years in ''
Magpakailanman''. Along with this, Cadayona became a regular cast member in the gag show ''
Bubble Gang'' because of his comedic capabilities. Aside from his weekly Friday-night stint in ''Bubble Gang'', He was also hired as the gay character Stefani via ''
Vampire Ang Daddy Ko''.
When ''
Party Pilipinas
''Party Pilipinas'' () is a Philippine television variety show broadcast by GMA Network. Hosted by Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Jaya and Janno Gibbs, it premiered on March 28, 2010 replacing ''SOP''. The show concluded on May 19, 2013 with a ...
'' was replaced by ''
Sunday All Stars'', Cadayona along with his fellow performers were carried over to join the cast. But since ''Sunday All Stars'' sets a different format compared to its predecessor, He belongs to the Tween Hearts team previously led by
Jennylyn Mercado.
He appeared in ''
Mundo Mo'y Akin
''Mundo Mo'y Akin'' (International title: ''Deception'' / ) is a 2013 Philippine television drama series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Andoy Ranay, it stars Sunshine Dizon, Angelika Dela Cruz, Alden Richards and Louise delos Reyes. It ...
'', where he played Nonoy, who is the friend of Jerome (
Alden Richards), who also works in the resort owned by the Carbonels. Nonoy knows about the special relationship between Jerome Alvarez and Darlene Carbonel (
Lauren Young) and soon notices Marilyn Mendoza's (
Louise de los Reyes
Mary Grace delos Reyes Perido (born September 1, 1992), better known Louise delos Reyes, is a Filipino actress and model. She left GMA Network in May 2017 and signed a 5 year-managerial contract with Viva which made her comeback on ABS-CBN and a ...
) feelings for his friend. Nonoy has a biting and sarcastic wit, serving as somewhat of a comic relief throughout the series. Because of this, having four regular shows, Sef is one of the busiest actors of the network nowadays.
So far, He has one film for 2013, and that is the
Marian Rivera -
Richard Gutierrez-starred film, ''
My Lady Boss
''My Lady Boss'' is a Filipino romantic comedy film directed by Jade Castro, and starring Richard Gutierrez and Marian Rivera. It is produced by GMA Pictures together with Regal Films. The film was supposed to have premiered on April 8, 2013, b ...
'', under GMA Films and
Regal Entertainment.
Education
He was a grade-school graduate of
Marist School in Marikina. He finished high school in Divine Light Academy in Las Piñas.
Cadayona sacrificed his studies of
Media Arts in San Beda Alabang to join ''StarStruck''.
Filmography
Television
Films
TV Specials
*StarStruck Season 5 Finals Night (GMA 7)
*Bubble Gang 15th Anniversary Special (GMA 7, 2009)
*Lucky' 09: The 2009 GMA New Year's Countdown (January 2009)
*GMA @ 60: The GMA 60th Anniversary TV Special (GMA 7, 2010)
*Prosperity In 2010: The 2010 GMA New Year's Countdown (GMA 7, January 2010)
*2010 To '11: The GMA New Year Countdown (GMA 7, January 2011)
*Countdown to 2012: The GMA New Year Special (GMA 7, January 2012)
*Party Pilipinas Anniversary Special (GMA 7, 2011-2013)
*27th PMPC Star Awards For TV (ABS-CBN 2, 2013) - Cameo (Sef's 1st ABS-CBN 2 Appearance)
*Win Na Win Sa 2013: The GMA New Year Countdown (GMA 7, January 2013)
*Sunday All Stars Anniversary Special (GMA 7, 2013-2015)
*28th PMPC Star Awards For TV (ABS-CBN 2, 2014) - Cameo
*Countdown To 2014: The GMA New Year Special (GMA 7, January 2014)
*Countdown To 2015: The GMA New Year Special (GMA 7, January 2015)
*Thank You Kapuso: GMA Fans Day 2015: The GMA 65th Anniversary TV Special (GMA 7, July 2015)
*IMBG 20: Bubble Gang 20th Anniversary Documentary Special - (GMA 7, November 2015)
*21 Gang Salute: Bubble Gang 21st Anniversary Documentary Special - (GMA 7, November 2016)
*
Countdown to 2016: The GMA New Year Special (GMA 7, January 2016)
*The Magic Of Christmas: The 2016 GMA Christmas Special - (GMA 7, December 2016)
*Lipad Sa 2017: The 2017 GMA New Year Countdown Special - (GMA 7, January 2017)
*Bubble Gang Parokya Bente Dos: Bubble Gang 22nd Anniversary Stage Musical Play Special - (GMA 7, November 2017)
Awards and nominations
See also
*
Megan Young
*
Johan Santos
*
Jan Manual
*
Chariz Solomon
External links
Sef Cadayona at GMANetwork.com*
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cadayona, Sef
1989 births
Living people
21st-century Filipino male actors
Filipino male television actors
Filipino male comedians
Participants in Philippine reality television series
StarStruck (Philippine TV series) participants
GMA Network personalities
Filipino male child actors
People from Las Piñas
Male actors from Metro Manila
Tagalog people