AIKO MELENDEZ was last seen in “Prima Donnas 2” where her character had to be replaced by Sheryl Cruz since she got busy with the election campaign.
Now that she has won as 5th District QC Councilor, she returns to acting in “Mano Po Legacy: The Flower Sisters”.
She’s glad that she plays the role of the eldest sister, Lily.
“I’m an original Regal Baby of Mother Lily,” she says.
“This is our homage to her. Nakaka-pressure but may mga eksena po ako rito na ginaya ko si Mother Lily.”
She has no problem acting and serving as councilor at the same time.
“It’s just a matter of proper time management. Nakakapagod lang dahil sa dami ng trabaho at kung minsan, nagkakasakit ka.
"But when I saw the trailer of ‘The Flower Sisters’, I felt so happy and I have no regrets that I accepted doing this series.
"I feel I’m making a comeback in acting with a big bang.”
For the first time, she stars with Beauty Gonzalez, Thea Tolentino and Angel Guardian who play her half sisters.
They have the same father, but different mothers.
“I feel it’s a blessing na nakasama ko rito si Beauty. Before, magkatapat yung shows naming ‘Prima Donnas’ at ‘Kadenang Ginto’.
"Now, yung characters namin dito sa ‘The Flower Sisters’ as Lily and Violet, kami naman ang magkatapat.
"We’re rivals here, always in conflict, but in real life, we’re okay. Nagkaroon ako ng bagong kaibigan.”
How about working with her two other sisters, Thea Tolentino as Dahlia and Angel Guardian as Iris?
“I’m also happy to be working with Thea and Angel. Actually, masaya ang samahan naming apat sa set.
"We’ve got good rapport with each other at panay ang tawanan namin so I’m thankful na nakatrabaho ko sila rito, also Marcus Madrigal who plays my husband and MIgz Cuaderno and Will Ashley as our two sons.”
As warring sisters, do they have plenty of dramatic confrontation scenes?
“Yes, pero hindi ko pa alam kung magkakaroon kami ng mga eksena ng sampalan dito sa confrontation scenes namin, kasi we’re still taping the show.
"Ang pakiusap ko lang sa kanila, huwag nilang lalakasan ang sampal nila sa akin kasi ako, hindi ako marunong manampal on cam. Puro daya lang.”
A lot of press people noticed that she has lost a lot of weight. What kind of diet and exercise does she do?
“I watch what I eat. I don’t eat rice, pork and beef. Only chicken and fish. Wala akong exercise. Wala kasi akong time.
"Ang exercise ko lang, yung nag-iikot ako sa mga barangay sa district namin to help the people.
"Some people think nagpa-lipo ako but hindi, all natural po yan, walang retoke.”
Her ex-hubby Jomari Yllana sent a message to his current partner Abby Viduya when they celebrated their anniversary last week. He said: “My first and last, my love and my life. Everything makes sense since you came back. Happy anniversary.”
What can Aiko say about this?
“Eh di wow! Kung happy siya sa lovelife niya ngayon, ibigay na natin yun sa kanya.
"But I hope na sana, isama niya sa pagiging buo ng buhay niya ang panganay niyang anak na si Andre at pati mga iba pa niyang anak.
"Si Andre, walang tampo o galit sa ama niya, he understands.
"But sana, magkaroon siya ng time not only with Andre but pati sa ibang mga anak niya.”