(From left) Aiko Melendez and Ogie Diaz. Image: Instagram/@aikomelendez
Despite her busy schedule as a politician, Aiko Melendez has embarked on a new step in her showbiz career after she signed a contract with talent manager Ogie Diaz.
The veteran actress was recently welcomed as Diaz’s new talent during a contract signing with the talent manager, as seen in Melendez’s personal Instagram page on Friday, March 10.
“Just inked… @ogie_diaz @ogiediaztalents,” she said in the caption. “Sealed it with love and formality. Finally, under the wing and care of my long time friend, confidant. [I’m sure there are so many beautiful things that we still can explore together. Thank you.”
Melendez also shared a glimpse of her contract signing with Diaz on her YouTube channel on Sunday, March 12, where she talked about her previous talent managers prior to signing with Diaz.
The “Wildflower” star also had the opportunity to ask Diaz about his responsibilities as a talent manager.
“Dati kasi, si Tito Douglas [Quijano], he passed away then napunta ako kay Tito Wyngard Tracy and he passed away again. So, for a time, si Mother Ogie became my consultant before na naging tulay with Tito Boy [Abunda], and I lasted with Tito Boy for 15 years. Ang laking pasasalamat ko sa kanya kasi ang ganda ng pagkakahawak niya rin sa karera ko,” she said.
“And then since hindi na nagmamanage si Tito Boy [ng talents], napunta ako kay Kuya Arnold Vegafria at malaki rin ang pasasalamat ko. And finally, [si Ogie Diaz],” she further explained.
(Before, I was managed by Tito Douglas Quijano, he passed away. And then I was managed by Tito Wyngard Tracy and he passed away again. So, for a time, Ogie became my consultant for a time, and he became a bridge between me and Tito Boy Abunda. I lasted with Tito Boy for 15 years, and I’m very grateful for him because he managed my career really well. Since Tito Boy doesn’t manage talents anymore, I was under Kuya Arnold Vegafria’s wing and I’m very thankful to him as well. And finally, Ogie Diaz.)
Ogie’s management style
During the interview, Melendez asked Diaz about his management style, like if he ever went overboard when it came to managing the career of his former ward, Liza Soberano.
“Hindi ko alam. Si Liza lang naman makakapagsabi niyan (I don’t know. Only Liza can answer that question),” the talent manager replied, but Melendez persisted, urging him to answer based on his honest observations.
“Hindi, kasi marami akong mga anak eh. So, hindi ko rin naman sinasakal ang mga anak ko. I want them to stay happy for as long as ‘yung hindi makakasama sa sarili nila,” he said, referring to celebrities under his ward. (No, because I have a lot of wards and I don’t control them. I want them to stay happy for as long as they wouldn’t cause harm to themselves in the process.)
Diaz and Soberano have been making headlines since the beginning of the month after the latter revealed her frustrations as an actress while contract with ABS-CBN for over a decade, and recently accused her erstwhile manager of “lying” about certain aspects of their business relationship. The showbiz personality addressed this issue in a vlog last March 15, saying that he never made up stories about the “Forevermore” star.
One sore point that Diaz clarified was the actress’ claim during an interview with Boy Abunda that she only initially got a measly 30% of her talent fee because of the proportion of Diaz’s commission(30%), his co-manager and Soberano’s aunt Joni’s (20%), and former management Star Magic (10%), before Diaz and Joni agreed to a cut in their respective commissions.
The TV personality, however, said Soberano was able to receive 63% from her talent fee because he was only entitled to 20% commission, while Star Magic received 10% and Joni 7%. He also pointed out that it was he who ultimately decided to reduce their fees. EDV