For her "empowered" stance on issues and body positivity, young actress Ria Atayde has been appointed as spokesperson of the Metro Manila Development Authority, acting chair Romando Artes said Friday.

He said Atayde's admirable values and celebrity mileage will come in handy for the agency which deals with the Big City's bleak, day-to-day concerns like traffic, flash floods, garbage, and illegal settlers, to name a few.

Atayde's camp confirmed the job offer to the 31-year-old actress but declined to issue a statement until she arrived from Cannes, France, to attend a film festival.

Atayde is sister to actor and congressman Arjo and daughter to veteran thespian Sylvia Sanchez.

She is CEO of Nathan Studios which produced the films "Cattleya Killer" and "Topakk," which screened in Cannes.

A communications graduate at La Salle, Atayde fended off bashers who hit her endorsement of a whisky brand that usually features svelte models.

Her positive reactions earned her kudos from netizens who relate to her "plus-size" figure and how low people generally look at it.