Aiko Melendez with her daughter Marthena Jickain and son Andre Yllana. Image: Instagram/@mspainteilyn via @aikomelendez
Aiko Melendez organized an intimate event with loved ones and close friends to celebrate her daughter Marthena officially becoming an adult.
Marthena looked radiant in a blush pink tube dress with a huge bow detail at the back, as seen on Melendez’s Instagram page on Monday, July 29.
“My Pretty Debutant Marthena. We just had a simple get together dinner for her 18th birthday!” the actress said in the caption. “Intimate gathering of those who are dear to us. Consisted of 50 people who matter to us the most.”
Addressing those in attendance, she added, “Thank you for making her birthday a memorable one.”
Present at the event were Melendez’s son and Marthena’s brother, actor Andre Yllana, as well as Melendez’s boyfriend, politician Jay Khonghun. The actress’ celebrity friends Ogie Diaz and Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chairperson Diorella Sotto were also in attendance.
“Family is everything…. Finally, we found our home in their Tito Jay Khonghun,” Melendez said in a separate post. “Ours may not be a perfect one, but sure there is peace in our hearts. We are doing everything to make it work and it is surely working.”
Melendez also dedicated a message to her daughter, underscoring how she is proud of the latter.
“Keep chasing your dreams; you are almost there. I love you so much, and you will always be our baby girl,” Melendez addressed Marthena.
Marthena is Melendez’s child with former model-actor Martin Jickain. In 2023, Marthena completed a course in law in a summer school in Oxford, England. She then finished high school as an outstanding student last May.