John Paul Joseph "Sef" Cadayona is a Filipino actor, comedian and dancer. He gained recognition from an ice cream commercial in the early 2000s and later joined the fifth season of StarStruck (2009), where he reached the Final Fourteen and showcased his dance skills. He went on to appear in several GMA Network programs, including Bubble Gang, Sabado Badoo (2015), and Laff Camera Action (2016), and starred in Pepito Manaloto: Ang Unang Kuwento (2021).
Life and career 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.
2000s: Early television appearances 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. 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.
2010–present: Post StarStruck 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. It was followed by the drama fantasy Ilumina as Renato. In 2011, he appeared in the drama dance Time of My Life as Harry. 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, followed by the drama comedy romance Together Forever as Jefferson "Jepoy" Teodoro, the drama romance comedy Coffee Prince as Baldo, 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, followed by Just One Summer as Jason, Slumber Party as Jonel, Gayak in an unspecified role, 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.
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.
Filmography Television Year Title Role Notes 2009–2010 StarStruck V Himself (finalist)2010 Diva Marlon Legaspi 2010; 2015 Maynila Sunny NandingEpisode: "Once Princess"DaveEpisode: "Edi Wow"2010 I Laugh Sabado Himself (various roles) Ilumina Renato2011 Spooky Nights Vanessa Episode: "The Ringtone" Time of My Life Harry 2011–2013 Party Pilipinas Himself (performer) 2012 Alice Bungisngis and her Wonder Walis Tomas / Tom Together Forever Jefferson "Jepoy" Teodoro Coffee Prince Baldo Celebrity Bluff Himself 2012–2023 Bubble Gang 2013–2014 Magpakailanman teen WallyEpisode: "The Wally Bayola Story"RollyEpisode: "Habang Buhay Na Maghihintay"2013–2016 Vampire ang Daddy Ko Stefano Bulaga / Stefani Ventura2013 Mundo Mo'y Akin Nonoy Pambide Genesis Randy 2013–2015 Sunday All Stars Himself (performer)2014 Dading Pato 2015 Eat Bulaga Lenten Special: Sukli ng Pagmamahal Budong Sabado Badoo Himself (host) My Faithful Husband Jerome Dela Paz Juan Tamad Juan Wagas Danny Episode: "Danny & Fredes Love Story"2016 Dear Uge Kevin Episode role A1 Ko Sa 'Yo Enzo Laff, Camera, Action! Himself (judge) 2016–2018Pepito Manaloto: Ang Tunay na KuwentoZsa Zsa2017 Meant to Be Bats Bendiola Wish Ko Lang LeevanEpisode: "Leevan"2018 Sirkus Al The Stepdaughters Bryce Morales 2019 Hiram na Anak Vince Urbanez 2021 Game of the Gens Himself (host) 2021; 2022–2023All-Out SundaysHimself (performer) 2021–2022 Pepito Manaloto: Ang Unang Kuwento Pepito Manaloto 2022 Running Man Philippines Himself (guest) 2023 Love Before Sunrise Bong Pagdilao 2024Pulang ArawLuisForever YoungKapitan Gerry Peralta 2025Pepito Manaloto: Tuloy na KuwentoYoung Pepito Manaloto
Films Year Title Role 2010 You to Me Are Everything Sef2012 My Kontrabida Girl Dex Just One Summer Jason Slumber Party Jonel Gayak Boy Pick-Up: The Movie Fish Vendor2013 My Lady Boss Nonoy Kaleidoscope World 2014 My Big Bossing's Adventures Warda / Wardo
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nomination Result 2013 1st Sunday All Stars Awards Stand Out Season Performer None 10th Golden Screen Awards for Movies Breakthrough Performance by an Actor Gayak 2014 5th Golden Screen Awards for TV Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Gag or Comedy Show Bubble Gang 28th Star Awards for TV Best Comedy Actor 40th Metro Manila Film festival Festival Best Supporting Actor My Big Bossing's Adventure: Prinsesa 2015 6th Golden Screen Television Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Gag / Comedy Program Bubble Gang 29th PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actor
External links Sef Cadayona at GMANetwork.com
References