Aiko Melendez
Aiko Melendez is so good at playing “kontrabida” roles that it almost makes me forget how kind-hearted she is off-cam. Sis (that’s how Aiko and I call each other) has a way of making friends feel that they are the “bida” in her life.
Aiko unleashes her onscreen power anew in GMA 7’s afternoon series, “Prima Donnas” (premieres today after “Hanggang sa Dulo ng Buhay Ko”). She portrays Kendra, a femme fatale who makes life miserable for the three Donnas, played by the Kapuso network’s new princesses, Jillian Ward, Althea Ablan and Sofia Pablo. Gina Alajar is at the helm of the series.
Will the bond of the three Donnas remain strong amid the challenges? Let the drama extravaganza begin.
Here’s my chat with Aiko:
What made you decide to move to GMA 7? It’s already their third offer to me. When they asked me to do “Prima Donnas,” I wasn’t ready to work yet because I was still tired from the election campaign of Jay (Khonghun, her boyfriend). So I prayed for a sign if the project was really meant for me. They were willing to wait for me after my US vacation, even if they were already rushing to shoot, so that was more than enough reason for me to grab the offer.
How do you deal with a prima donna? I practice the art of “deadma.” Being a Christian, I would humble myself.
What stage is your relationship with Jay in? The time we spent together during the election period in Zambales made our relationship evolve into something deeper. Fights are normal. But we have learned to fight more for the love and respect we have for each other. Both our families are rooting for our relationship to last. I’m so close to his dad, and my mom loves Jay like her own.
What’s the toughest part of being the girlfriend of a vice governor? His battles have become mine, as well. I filed a libel case against Jay’s rival for baseless accusations. His opponents know that I’m Jay’s strength, that’s why they are trying to pull me down.
When your daughter, Marthena, is old enough, what love advice would you give her? To be with a God-fearing man, who’s more in love with her than she is in love with him. To always have a buffer for herself. Huwag maging tulad ko na “all mine to give” (laughs).
In what ways does your son, Andre, remind you of his dad, Jomari? Andre is a replica of his dad, from his mannerism down to his fave sport. I just hope that Andre doesn’t follow the track record of his dad when it comes to girls (laughs).
If your love story with Jay would be made into a movie, what would the title be? “Against All Odds”
What lesson did you learn from all your “kontrabida” roles? To never be like them, but to understand what made them that way. So I will know how to deal with bitches in real life (laughs).
Do you prefer to play “bida” or “kontrabida”? I don’t want to be typecast. I like a variation of roles. But my dilemma is that I get bored playing “bida,” who’s goody-goody all the time (laughs). I always want to surprise my audience and myself, as well.
PERSONAL: Thanks, more than words can say to Mareng Kaye Losorata of Smart for being a friend over and beyond the call of duty. Muchas gracias to Alvin Cariño and Meg dela Cruz for their kind assistance.