As villain, Aiko expects the worst

Many actresses can play a meanie on screen. But not all pray before and after the director shouts “Action!” or “Cut!” the way Aiko Melendez does.

Aiko knows it’s not right to take her bad character’s attitude home, where she’s a devoted mom to Andrei and Marthena. It defeats the very reason why she greets each day with joy in her heart.

So Aiko makes it a point to snap out of her character the minute she hears “Cut!”
“Since I’m already a Christian, I pray, ‘Lord, role lang po ito. Make me effective without sacrificing my real being and attitude,” reveals Aiko.

Therefore, those who see her pausing for a moment of silence before and after a take in ABS-CBN’s revenge drama Wildflower, aren’t surprised. She’s praying that her character, politically powerful Emilia Ardiente-Torillo, who doesn’t mind committing bloody murder to protect the family reputation, stays where it should ­— on the set.

It’s so far so good for the award-winning actress. Aiko is tickled pink that Maja Salvador’s (as lead female protagonist/antagonist Lily Cruz) fans are cursing her on Twitter. It only means Aiko is playing her cruel character well.

“As the villain, I’m expecting the worst,” she laughs.

And because she knows the lead character is just as good as the villain, Aiko not only gives her all. She loves getting “meaner” by the day.

But first, she must know her character inside out. And what she discovered moved her to pity.

Aiko found out that Emilia is a victim of circumstances, a woman pushed to the wall because of things beyond her control.

“I understand where her attitude is coming from,” Aiko shakes her head.

Her reputation as a good actress and her role demand that Aiko lives up to high expectations. It is Emilia who takes the story to the proper direction, adding drama to Lily’s life and pushing her to take drastic action.

So Aiko always listens to Maja, their co-stars and director Onat Diaz’s suggestions.

“We sit down and they give us the right to suggest. That’s why I love our Wildflower team. Everyone puts in effort,” adds Aiko.

She’s also all praise for Maja. Aiko admires the way Maja attacks her role, and her dedication on the job. Aiko saw for herself how Maja studies her character so she becomes her character through and through.

“Working with her makes me so excited. She’s the best in her generation. Maja delivers, and her acting nuances are great!” gushes Aiko.

The 41-year-old actress’ list of things to be grateful for is not just limited to good acting. It has grown longer with the recent demise of her fashion designer-friend Pepsi Herrera.

Pepsi was Aiko’s kumpare twice over. He stood as godfather to Andrei and Mathena.

As Andrei’s manager, Pepsi made sure the young actor’s contracts advance his showbiz career. Pepsi signed on the dotted line under which the phrase “parental consent” is printed.

You can’t blame Aiko for crying every day for a friend who never left her, even when the chips were down.
But every loss has a bright side. It carries a lesson for those who care to find meaning in it.

“His (Pepsi’s) sudden death taught me to live each day with gratitude. Life is indeed short. So make the most out of it and tell people who matter to you how much they mean to you,” relates Aiko.