Stronger, wiser this time around

Aiko Melendez is moving on. After two unsuccessful marriages, first with Jomari Yllana with whom she has a boy named Andrei and second with Martin Jickain with whom she has a daughter Marthena, Aiko is now stronger, wiser and even more beautiful. Aiko is one of the most beautiful faces in Philippine showbiz. From teeny-bopper roles, Aiko graduated to playing more meaningful roles in the movies and on TV. But her relationships put her in controversial waters, and these at some point, eclipsed her work as an actress of note. Aiko has learned her lessons. But the actress is not turning back. She is now friends with her former husband Jomari, whose girlfriend Pops Fernandez, is a friend. As with Martin, he cannot come close to her by 1,000 meters. Aiko is also a two-term councilor in Quezon City. Two storms behind her, Aiko is in fighting form both as an actress and as a public servant. Read on.

You are given the opportunity to work with any actor in Hollywood, who would you choose? Why?

I’d like to work with Robert de Niro because he is simply brilliant.

What do you like most about being an actor?

Being an actor brings out the discipline and values that I have in life. In a world that is so crazy, values and respect matter the most. And the perks of being an actor I guess are the compliments that you get from the people that you don’t know. And the fun part of it is when you make any reservations, be it a booking for a hotel or a restaurant, you are given V.I.P. treatment.

Who is your favorite director? Why?

Maryo J. delos Reyes. He is my mentor. We worked together for a drama series for seven years. He somehow brought out the best in me. Joey Reyes is fun to work with. There’s no tension or anything of that sort. And Olive Lamasan — I owe her my first acting award for the movie Maalaala Mo Kaya.

How do you handle fame?

By constantly putting my feet on the ground. And learning how to be sensitive to the people I work with.

The downside of being famous?

Downside of being famous? No privacy.  Everything that I do is written about and magnified because I’m in showbiz and politics.

Favorite leading man?

Richard Gomez, Christopher de Leon and Aga Muhlach.

Favorite role you have played in a movie? Why?

The role that I did for Maalaala Mo Kaya, the Movie. Because that’s where I was recognized as an actress. And May Minamahal, almost everyone that I know saw the film. The movie was so light and it felt like I was not acting. I saw myself in Monica (my character in that movie), boyish and very frank.

Do you watch all your movies?

Most of them.

When was the last time you watched a movie at a movie theater?

When I saw What Happens in Vegas.

Your favorite movie of all time?

Notting Hill.

The local and foreign actor that you admire most?

I admire Vilma Santos and Maricel Soriano. Vilma is a very good actress — big name and yet super down to earth. Maricel is very motherly and a very generous actress. For foreign actors, I like Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep. I find Julia cute, and she knows what is the right project and material for her. No wonder most of Julia’s movies made it to the box office. Meryl is very professional. She does her homework.

One movie that you have done that you are ashamed of?

The one movie that I am ashamed doing is Last 2 Minutes... Teeny-bopper role and too much pa-sweet, pa-cutey in short.

The most memorable movie that you appeared in? Why?

Maalaala Mo Kaya, the Movie. It became so controversial because of the filmfest scam... The famous Take it! Take it!

The most photogenic face in the world?

Dawn Zulueta and Angelina Jolie. Angelina is very sexy and every angle is fab.

Your greatest influence as an actor?

My Dad Jimmy Melendez is the reason why I’m in this business and why I became Aiko Melendez. Who I am today, I owe it to him.

Who are your favorite movie heroes?

Richard Gere in the movie Pretty Woman. He saved Julia Roberts despite the fact that Julia was a prostitute in the film.

Who are your top and best Filipino film actors of all time?

Charito Solis, Nida Blanca,Vilma, Maricel, Eddie Garcia and Christopher.

What do you like most about your work?

The pay... Hehehe...

What role would you not play?

A stripper...that says it all... I just don’t see myself baring my skin and I’d like to maintain a little mystery.

The first movie that you have seen as a young kid?

My dad’s movie Bilibid Boys.

Your dream movie project?

It would have been working with Lino Brocka.

The movie that made you cry a river?

Untamed Heart with Christian Slater.

Did you always want to be an actress?

Yes, my dream was to be an actress and a singer.

Which other profession would you like to do aside from acting (and politics)?

I’d like to be a singer.

The worst tsismis about you?

My first failed marriage.

The worst question ever asked of you in an interview?

If I was still a virgin. To think that I was just 17 then.

How do you deal with criticisms?

Criticisms will always be part of everything that you do. You must take the best part of every criticism because it might help you become a better individual.

The best movie theme song?

Somewhere in Time.

The best food to eat when watching a movie?

Popcorn.

The best companion when watching a movie?

My friends or a date.

What is your biggest come-on when watching a movie — story, director, co-actor? Why?

First it should be the story, a good actor should always look for a good material then director because he is the captain of the ship. It all depends on the director on how he can make the story even more beautiful and interesting. The co-actor is just icing on the cake.