AIKO MELENDEZ is one of the most hated villains on TV because of her effective portrayal as the scheming and devilish Kendra in the hit Afternoon Prime show, “Prima Donnas”. So how do people treat her when they see her in public?
“Well, alam naman po nilang I’m just playing a role so nagpapa-picture pa rin po sila sa akin kahit naiinis sila kay Kendra,” she says. “Viewers now naman know kung ano ang totoo at kung ano ang make believe lang for the screen.”
How is it working with the tween stars in the show: Jillian Ward, Sofia Pablo, Althea Ablan and Elijah Alejo? “I’m having fun doing scenes with them kasi they’re all eager to learn. Very open sila at nakikinig sa aming more senior stars na kasama nila sa ‘Prima Donnas’.
"The show is a big success and we’re all happy about it. Ilang beses na nga kaming na-extend and I always remind them na huwag lalaki ang ulo nila ngayong naging tagumpay ang show. It’s just too bad na na-stop ang taping namin dahil sa corona crisis, kaya nami-miss na nga naming lahat ang isa’t isa.”
One thing she likes about all the people involved in the show is that they’re all prayerful.
“We have a chat group, kasama si Direk Gina Alajar and the other GMA bosses, and we all pray together. We’re thankful our show is a hit but to God be all the glory. We are really a praying team and we even pray for each other. We also pray to the Lord na sana ay mahanapan na ng lunas itong corona virus na naghahasik ng lagim ngayon sa buong mundo.”
What precautionary measures does she take against the virus?
“Dati, I don’t take vitamins but now, I do na, kasi nga gusto kong maging malakas ang immune system ko at pati ng son kong si Andre and my daughter Marthena. I always remind them to wash their hands and wear face mask when we go out kasi namili kami ng enough food supplies para hindi kami maubusan ng stock.
"Hindi naman hoarding yun, kasi we just bought what's enough for us. Dahil nasa bahay lang kami lagi, I now have more time bonding with my kids. Magkakasama kaming kumakain, which we seldom get to do before kasi busy ako with work at sila naman, nasa school.
"I also want to thank our medical frontliners and law enforcers for all their help to our countrymen. Sana, biyayaan sila ni Lord ng good health and strength always, so they can go on serving as our real heroes today.”
What can viewers expect from “Prima Donnas” when they return on the air after this crisis?
“Una sa lahat, sobrang pasasalamat ko sa lahat ng viewers na sumusuporta sa amin, making it the number one afternoon drama from Monday to Saturday. They made us a part of their lives so abangan na lang nila ang pagbabalik namin.
"Siempre, abangan nila ang mga iba pang bagong kasamaan na gagawin ng character ko as Kendra. Kung ang akala ng Prima Donnas, nakaligtas na sila sa kamandag ko, pwes, they will find out na nagkakamali sila. Kendra will be back with a vengeance!”
While she’s not taping “Prima Donnas”, she is busy making TikTok videos.
“It’s my way of making people smile habang nakaharap tayo ngayon sa isang malaking pagsubok sa ating mga buhay. Gusto ko lang silang aliwin at nang hindi tayo basta malungkot na lang at nagmumukmok sa bahay. My TikTok account @chapee king shows a different side of me na kalog at nagpapatawa, so different from Kendra.
"Sinasamahan ko ito ng awareness videos about the virus and what’s happening to us now, to inspire viewers na patuloy lang silang lumaban. Huwag tayong basta susuko! Sa tulong ni Lord, malalampasanan natin lahat ng panganib na ito.”
