Sef Cadayona

John Paul Joseph Cadayona was raised in Las Piñas City. He completed his secondary education at Divine Light Academy and earned a degree in Media Arts, majoring in Broadcasting, from San Beda College Alabang.^[2]

Cadayona made his television debut notable in a commercial for an ice cream brand known for its quirky scenarios involving how to spend a 20-peso bill. Although the advertisement is no longer airing, it gained recognition during its run.^[3] In 2009, Cadayona joined the fifth season of the television reality show StarStruck and advanced to the Final Fourteen in November of that year, alongside Steven Silva and Sarah Lahbati, who were ultimately named the Male and Female Ultimate Survivors, respectively.^[4][5]

In 2010, Cadayona appeared in the comedy-musical television series Diva as Marlon Legaspi, the rival of Joey "Pepe Smith" Fernandez, played by Mark Herras, in a dance competition.^[6] It was followed by the drama fantasy Ilumina as Renato. In 2011, he appeared in the drama dance Time of My Life as Harry.^[7] In the same year, Cadayona guested as a performer in the variety show Party Pilipinas. In 2012, he appeared in the drama fantasy comedy series Alice Bungisngis and Her Wonder Walis as Tomas,^[8] followed by the drama comedy romance Together Forever as Jefferson "Jepoy" Teodoro,^[9] the drama romance comedy Coffee Prince as Baldo,^[10] and the sketch comedy show Bubble Gang as a regular cast member until 2023. In the same year, Cadayona appeared in the film My Kontrabida Girl as Dex,^[11] followed by Just One Summer as Jason,^[12] Slumber Party as Jonel,^[13] Gayak in an unspecified role,^[14] and Boy Pick-Up: The Movie as Fish Vendor; for his performance in Gayak, Cadayona received the Breakthrough Performance by an Actor award from the Golden Screen Awards for Movies.^[15][16]

In 2013, Cadayona appeared in the television sitcom series Vampire ang Daddy Ko as Stefano Bulaga / Stefani Ventura, followed by the drama Mundo Mo’y Akin and the science fiction drama Genesis. In 2015, Cadayona hosted the comedy anthology show Sabado Badoo and appeared in the sitcom series Juan Tamad as the title character. In 2016, he hosted the comedy game show Laff, Camera, Action!, followed in 2017 by his appearance in the romantic comedy drama Meant to Be as Bats Mendiola. In 2021, Cadayona starred in the prequel sitcom Pepito Manaloto: Ang Unang Kuwento as the lead and title character Pepito Manaloto.^[17]