Aiko Melendez

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Shimojiand the surname or paternal family name is Melendez.

Jomari Yllana

​

​

(m. 2000;ann. 2005)​

Martin Jickain

​

​

(m. 2005;ann. 2010)​

Aiko Melendez
Melendez in 2025
Member of the Quezon City Council
Incumbent
Assumed office June 30, 2022
Domestic partner	Jefferson Khonghun
Children	2
Occupation	Actress and politician

Mary Aiko Shimoji Melendez (born December 16, 1975), known professionally as Aiko Melendez (Tagalog: [ˈaɪkɔmɛˈlɛndɛs] ), is a Filipino actress and politician. She began her career as a child actress and later became a romantic lead in the 1990s. She achieved newfound fame playing secondary dramatic roles in film and television in the succeeding decades and has since garnered various accolades including a Luna Award and two Manila Film Festival Awards, in addition to nominations for five FAMAS Awards. She currently serves as a councilor of Quezon City from the 5th district since 2022, a position she previously held from the 2nd district from 2001 to 2010. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Career

Melendez with selected members of the House of Representatives (2024)

Melendez was discovered in the late 1980s and signed a contract with Regal Films, becoming one of their 'Regal Babies'. ^[4]

In 2001, Melendez ran for councilor of the 2nd district of Quezon City and won. She was reelected in 2004 and in 2007 and remained in office for 9 years until 2010. ^{[5] [6]} She ran for vice mayor of Quezon City in 2010 as the running mate of Mike Defensor, but lost to Joy Belmonte.

She did several shows on GMA Network but most often appeared on ABS-CBN. ^[5] In 2011, Aiko returned to ABS-CBN for an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya and Reputasyon . ^{[7] [8]} In 2013, she was part of the TV series Apoy Sa Dagat . ^[6] In 2015, Melendez played the role of Fionna Vargas in Inday Bote . ^[9] In 2017, Melendez played the role of Emilia Ardiente in Wildflower . In 2018, Melendez played the role of Matadora/Bighani in Bagani. In 2019, Melendez returned to GMA Network to play a role in Prima Donnas .

Melendez ran for Quezon City councilor in 2022, this time at the 5th district, and won. ^[10]

Personal life

Her father, Jimmy Melendez (born Jim Shinoji), was also an actor. Her paternal half-brother, Jam Melendez, also entered showbusiness. ^[11]

Melendez was married to actor Jomari Yllana from 2000 but separated after a year. They have a son named Andrei. Their marriage was annulled in 2005. ^[12]

In 2005, Melendez married Martin Jickain, with whom she has a daughter named Marthena. However, their marriage was annulled in 2010.

Melendez is currently dating Zambales's 1st district representative Jay Khonghun. ^[13]

In 2013, Melendez converted to Born Again Christianity. ^[14]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role
1982	Where Love Has Gone
	Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
1983	Don't Cry for Me, Papa	Tessie
1989	My Pretty Baby	Maria
	Romeo Loves Juliet ... But Their Families Hate Each Other!	Juliet
	Isang Araw Walang Diyos	Laya
1990	Trese	Tessa Encarnacion
	Last 2 Minutes
	Tora Tora, Bang Bang Bang
	Nimfa
1991	Underage Too	Aiko
	Gabo: Walang Patawad Kung Pumatay	Meanne
	Kung Sino Pa Ang Minahal
	Emma Salazar Case
1992	Ali in Wonderland
	Cornelia Ramos Story
	Guwapings: The First Adventure
	Si Lucio at si Miguel: Hihintayin Kayo sa Langit	Rosanna
	Buddy en Sol (Sine Ito!)	Anna
	Unang Tibok ng Puso	Lena
	Shake, Rattle & Roll IV	Sister Mary John
	Kamay ni Kain
	Sonny Boy, Public Enemy Number 1 of Cebu City
	Sinungaling Mong Puso	Anna
1993	Aguinaldo
	Dino... Abangan ang Susunod Na...
	Dugo ng Panday	Luna
	May Minamahal	Monica
1994	Buhay ng Buhay Ko
	Multo in the City	Mabel
	Ang Ika-Labing Isang Utos: Mahalin Mo, Asawa Mo	Solidad
	Maalaala Mo Kaya: The Movie	Ana
	Bawal Na Gamot	Shiela
1995	Sa'yo Lamang	Louella
	Bawal Na Gamot 2	Shiela
	Araw-araw, Gabi-gabi
	Batang-X
1996	Mula Noon Hanggang Ngayon	Beverly
	Huling Sagupaan
	Ayoko na Sanang Magmahal
1997	Atraso: Ang Taong may Kasalanan	Tessa Villanueva
	Kung Marunong Kang Magdasal, Umpisahan Mo Na	Cynthia
	Kahit Kailan
1998	Pagdating ng Panahon
	Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Iibigin	Pia Tesoro
1999	Higit Pa Sa Buhay Ko	Marita Bernardo
2000	Mahal Kita, Walang Iwanan	Cynthia
2003	Filipinas	Vicky Filipinas
2009	Yaya and Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie	Mommy
2014	Asintado	Julia
2015	Etiquette for Mistresses	Adelle Ayson
	Everyday I Love You	Guada Locsin
2016	Barcelona: A Love Untold	Insiang
2017	Pwera Usog	Minda
2018	Rainbow's Sunset	Georgina
2021	Huwag Kang Lalabas	Espie
TBA	Mabuhay Aloha Mabuhay	Sara Duterte

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1981	Anna Liza	–
1989	Lovingly Yours, Helen
1990	Buddy en Sol	Toni / Tonette
1995–1998	Bubble Gang	Herself
1989–1995	Eat Bulaga!		Co-host
1993	The Maricel Drama Special	Armina	Episode: "Istranghera"
1994, 1995	Star Drama Theater Presents: Aiko	Herself
2002	Klasmayts	–
2004	Yes, Yes Show!
2006	Noel
2008	Your Song	Marge Fernando	Episode: "Someone Like You"
	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Aurora	Episode: "Kanin"
2009	Talentadong Pinoy	Herself / Judge
2010	Sine Novela: Basahang Ginto	Rosenda Montecillo	Recurring Role
2011	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Marivic	Episode: "TV"
2011–2012	Reputasyon	Catherine Espeleta-Villamayor / Connie Aragon
2012	Nandito Ako	Margareth Posadas
	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Christie	Episode: "Belen"
2013	Apoy sa Dagat	Odessa Villarosa-del Sol
2014	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Gloria	Episode: "Harmonica"
	Ipaglaban Mo!	Candida	Episode: "Sa Aking Pagbangon"
	The Ryzza Mae Show	Herself
	Give Love of Christmas	Rose Aguinaldo	Series title: The Gift Giver
	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Beth	Episode: "Salamin"
2015	Inday Bote	Fiona Vargas-Navarro
	Ipaglaban Mo!	Belen	Episode: "Inabusong Inosente"
	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Myrna Cuenco	Episode: "Karaoke"
		Sima	Episode: "Lubid"
2016		Shirley Esguerra	Episode: "Backpack"
	The Story of Us	Carmy Santos-Manalo
	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Marilyn "Bing" Concine	Episode: "Riles"
		Amy	Episode: "Popcorn"
	Celebrity Playtime	Player on Team 90's
2017–2018	Wildflower	Emilia Ardiente-Torillo
2018	Bagani	Matadora / Bighani
2019	StarStruck	Herself/Mentor
	Dear Uge	Arlene	Episode: "Bahay Bangayan"
2019–2022	Prima Donnas	Ma. Kendra Fajardo-Claveria
2021	I Can See You: #Future	Menchie Torres
	Tadhana	Lileth	Episode: "Dalawa ang Aking Ina"
2022–2023	Mano Po Legacy: The Flower Sisters	Lily Y. Chua-Tan
2024	PamilyaSagrado [15]	Atty. Divine Torres
	ASAP Natin 'To	Herself / Performer	Co-host

TV commercials

• Rexona (May 1994)
• Pigromix (August 1984)

Accolades

Awards and nominations received by Aiko Melendez

Award [a]	Year [b]	Category	Nominated work	Result	Ref.
Dangal ng Lahi	2023	Outstanding Public Servant of the Year	Herself	Won	[16]
FAMAS Awards	1983	Best Child Actress	Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!	Nominated	[17]
	1993	Best Supporting Actress	Sinungaling Mong Puso	Nominated
	1995	Best Actress	Maalaala Mo Kaya: The Movie	Nominated
	2015		Asintado	Nominated	[18]
	2017	Best Supporting Actress	Barcelona: A Love Untold	Nominated	[19]
International Filmmaker Festival of World Cinema	2015	Best Actress	Asintado	Won	[20]
International Film Festival Manhattan	2015	Best Actress	Asintado	Won	[21]
Luna Awards	1994	Best Actress	May Minamahal	Nominated	[22]
	1995		Maalaala Mo Kaya: The Movie	Nominated	[23]
	2019	Best Supporting Actress	Rainbow's Sunset	Won	[24]
Manila Film Festival	1994	Best Actress	Maalaala Mo Kaya: The Movie	Won	[25]
	1995		Sa 'Yo Lamang	Won	[26]
Metro Manila Film Festival	2018	Best Supporting Actress	Rainbow's Sunset	Won	[27]
Saludo Excellence Awards	2023	National Outstanding Humanitarian and Leadership Service	Herself	Won	[28]
Star Awards for Movies	2015	Movie Actress of the Year	Asintado	Nominated	[29]
	2018	Movie Supporting Actress of the Year	Pwera Usog	Nominated	[30]
	2019		Rainbow's Sunset	Nominated	[31]
Subic Bay International Film Festival	2019	Best Actress	Tell Me Your Dreams	Won	[32]
Star Awards for Television	2011	Best Single Performance by an Actress	Maalaala Mo Kaya (Episode: "TV")	Nominated	[33]
	2015	Best Drama Actress	Give Love on Christmas Day	Nominated	[34]
	2016	Best Single Performance by an Actress	Maalaala Mo Kaya (Episode: "Lubid")	Nominated	[35]
	2017	Best Drama Supporting Actress	Wildflower	Won	[36]
	2021		Prima Donnas	Won	[37]
The EDDYS	2017	Best Supporting Actress	Barcelona: A Love Untold	Nominated	[38]
	2019		Rainbow's Sunset	Nominated	[39]

• Celebrity Inductee, Eastwood City Walk of Fame Philippines 2014 - Won
• Best Supporting Actress for Iadya Mo Kami, 15th Gawad Tanglaw Awards 2017
• Pinakapasadong Katuwang na Aktres for Iadya Mo Kami, 19th Gawad PASADO Awards
• Pinakapasadong Katuwang na Aktres for Rainbow's Sunset, 21st Gawad PASADO Awards
• Favorite Kontrabida for Prima Donnas , RAWR Awards 2020 ^[40]
• Best Drama Supporting Actress for Prima Donnas, 34th PMPC Star Awards for Television

Notes

1. Awards, festivals, honors and other miscellaneous organizations are listed in alphabetical order.
2. Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References

1. "Aiko Melendez: Ultimate star". PEP.ph. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
2. "Aiko Melendez wins best actress award in int'l film festival". www.philstar.com. March 3, 2015. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
3. Germs, Kuya. "Asintado namayagpag sa NY". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
4. Lo, Ricky. "The Evolution of The Regal Babies". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
5. Aiko open to TV project with ex-hubby Jomari Archived December 8, 2013, at the Wayback Machine ABS-CBN June 6, 2008
6. Aiko makes comeback with May-December affair in 'Your Song' Archived December 8, 2013, at the Wayback Machine ABS-CBN. August 30, 2008
7. "TV (Twist of Fate)". MMK 25. Archived from the original on August 4, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
8. "Aiko Melendez admits she almost didn't accept her kontrabida role in Reputasyon". Push ABS-CBN. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
9. Santiago, Ervin. "Inday Bote patok na patok sa mga bagets; Aiko kinasusuklaman". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Bandera. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
10. "Aiko Melendez, Bobby Andrews file COC for councilor in QC". ABS-CBN News. October 6, 2021. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
11. "Filipina Actress - Aiko Melendez". Blogspot. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
12. "Aiko Melendez Confirms Misunderstanding with Son Andrei". Philnews.ph. May 25, 2016. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
13. "'Independent na ako': Aiko Melendez reveals marriage with Jomari Yllana annulled on Independence Day". Push.com.ph. June 12, 2020. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
14. "19 Celebrities Who Changed Religions". Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
15. "Shaina Magdayao, Tirso Cruz III, Aiko Melendez, John Arcilla join Piolo Pascual in Pamilya Sagrado". PEP.ph. Archived from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
16. Sanchez, Giselle (December 19, 2023). "GOSSIP GIRL: Aiko Melendez shares her birthday wish". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
17. "FAMAS Awards Winners and Nominees". FAMAS Awards Database. Archived from the original on July 17, 2006.
18. "63rd FAMAS Awards nominees revealed; Sarah, Dawn, Maricel, Nora, Susan, and Gloria hailed as Iconic Movie Queens". Philippine Entertainment Portal. September 3, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
19. Afinidad-Bernardo, Deni Rose M. (December 29, 2017). "FULL LIST: FAMAS 2017 winners". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022.
20. Jimenez, Joyce (March 3, 2015). "Aiko Melendez wins best actress award in int'l film festival". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
21. Lastrilla, Gary Ann (October 24, 2015). "Aiko Melendez bags second international Best Actress award for indie film". ABS-CBN Push. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
22. Fap awards given tonite. Manila Standard. April 22, 1994. p. 42.
23. FAP bares nominees for film awards. Manila Standard. May 20, 1995. p. 111.
24. Villano, Alexa (December 30, 2019). "Full List: Winners, Luna Awards 2019". Rappler.
25. "IT'S FILM FEST SCAM: THE SEQUEL! A MONTH LATER, THE PHILIPPINES SCANDAL REFUSES TO GO AWAY". Washington Post. July 18, 1994. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved May 31, 2024.
26. Aiko, Richard top Manila filmfest awards. Manila Standard. June 16, 1995. p. 227.
27. "Full List: MMFF 2018 awards night winners". The Philippine Star. December 28, 2018. Archived from the original on January 25, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
28. Araja, Rio (November 10, 2023). "Aiko pays out P20m in ayuda to 10.5k QC residents". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
29. Villano, Alexa (March 8, 2015). "Full List: Winners, Star Awards for movies 2015". Rappler. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
30. "Mga nominado sa 34th PMPC Star Awards for Movies, inilabas na". ABS-CBN News. February 7, 2018. Archived from the original on July 23, 2025.
31. Villano, Alexa (June 3, 2019). "FULL LIST: Winners, PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2019". Rappler. Archived from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
32. "Utol ni Coco waging Best Actor". The Philippine Star. June 25, 2019. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
33. "ABS-CBN best TV station sa PMPC Star Awards". The Philippine Star. November 24, 2011. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
34. Villano, Alexa (December 3, 2015). "FULL LIST: Winners, 2015 PMPC Star Awards for TV". Rappler. Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
35. Villano, Alexa (October 10, 2016). "FULL LIST: Nominees, PMPC Star Awards for Television 2016". Rappler. Archived from the original on June 2, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
36. "ABS-CBN named Best TV Station at the PMPC Star Awards for TV | ABS-CBN Entertainment". ABS-CBN Entertainment. November 13, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
37. Eusebio, Aaron Brennt (October 19, 2021). "Aiko Melendez dedicates Best Drama Supporting Actress award to her fans". GMA Network. Archived from the original on May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
38. Serato, Arniel C. (June 10, 2017). "Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Jaclyn Jose lead Best Actress nominees for The Eddys". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
39. "Eddys 2019 nominees para sa Best Supporting Actor/Actress, Best Picture, inihayag na". Philippine Entertainment Portal. May 19, 2019. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
40. Marah Ruiz (December 6, 2020). "Ilang Kapuso stars, wagi sa RAWR Awards 2020". GMA Network . Archived from the original on December 6, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.

External links

• - Official website
• Aiko Melendez at IMDb