# Aiko Melendez

Mary Aiko Shimoji Melendez (born December 16, 1975), known professionally as Aiko Melendez (Tagalog:), is a Filipino actress and politician. 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. Her father, Jimmy Melendez (born Jim Shinoji), was an actor. Her half-brother, Jam Melendez (son of Jimmy Melendez and Deborah Sun), also entered showbusiness.
Aiko Melendez started as a child star in the early '80s under Regal Films among them, Santa Claus is Coming to Town in 1982 and she was billed simply as Aiko. In the late '80s, the same movie outfit, launched her together with Ruffa Gutierrez and Carmina Villarroel as teen actresses. From the late '80s through '90s, she became a blockbuster leading lady to big actors such as Richard Gomez, Jomari Yllana and Aga Muhlach. She received multiple awards for May Minamahal in 1993 and Sa 'yo Lamang in 1995. Her 1997 film, Kahit Kailan, received several awards at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). The movie was produced by Lily Monteverde. In the late 2000s, she starred in TV shows. In 2017, she garnered praises for her work in Wildflower, a primetime soap opera.
Dubbed as the Ultimate Star by the media, Melendez is a recipient of countless accolades and recognitions locally and globally. She won "Best Actress in a Foreign Language Film" at the 7th International Filmmaker Festival of World Cinema in London and "Best Actress" at the International Film Festival Manhattan in New York City. She has also been honored at the Metro Manila Film Festival, PMPC Star Awards for Television, Gawad Tanglaw Awards and Fap Awards, including several nominations from FAMAS Awards.

## Career

Melendez was discovered in the late 1980s and signed a contract with Regal Films, becoming one of their 'Regal Babies'.
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. 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. In 2011, Aiko returned to ABS-CBN for an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya and Reputasyon. In 2013, she was part of the TV series Apoy Sa Dagat. In 2015, Melendez played the role of Fionna Vargas in Inday Bote. 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.

## Personal life

Melendez was married to actor Jomari Yllana from 2000, but got separated after a year. They have a son named Andrei. Their marriage was annulled in 2005.
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 Jefferson "Jay" Khonghun.
In 2013, Melendez converted to Born Again Christianity.

## Filmography
### Film

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

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Source | Network |
| 1981 | Anna Liza | – | | GMA Network |
| 1989 | Lovingly Yours, Helen | – | | GMA Network |
| 1990 | Buddy en Sol | Toni / Tonette | | RPN |
| 1995–1998 | Bubble Gang | Herself | | GMA Network |
| 1989–1995 | Eat Bulaga! | Herself | Co-host | ABS-CBN |
| 1993 | The Maricel Drama Special | Armina | Episode: "Istranghera" | ABS-CBN |
| 1994, 1995 | Star Drama Theater Presents: Aiko | Herself | | ABS-CBN |
| 2002 | Klasmayts | – | | ABS-CBN |
| 2004 | Yes, Yes Show! | – | | ABS-CBN |
| 2006 | Noel | – | | GMA Network |
| 2008 | Your Song | Marge Fernando | Episode: "Someone Like You" | ABS-CBN |
| 2008 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Aurora | Episode: "Kanin" | ABS-CBN |
| 2009 | Talentadong Pinoy | Herself / Judge | TV5 |
| 2010 | Sine Novela: Basahang Ginto | Rosenda Montecillo | Recurring Role | GMA Network |
| 2011 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Marivic | Episode: "TV" | ABS-CBN |
| 2011–2012 | Reputasyon | Catherine Espeleta-Villamayor / Connie Aragon | | ABS-CBN |
| 2012 | Nandito Ako | Margareth Posadas | TV5 |
| 2012 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Christie | Episode: "Belen" | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | Apoy sa Dagat | Odessa Villarosa-del Sol | | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Gloria | Episode: "Harmonica" | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Ipaglaban Mo! | Candida | Episode: "Sa Aking Pagbangon" | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | The Ryzza Mae Show | Herself | | GMA Network |
| 2014 | Give Love of Christmas | Rose Aguinaldo | Series title: The Gift Giver | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Beth | Episode: "Salamin" | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Inday Bote | Fiona Vargas-Navarro | | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Ipaglaban Mo! | Belen | Episode: "Inabusong Inosente" | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Myrna Cuenco | Episode: "Karaoke" | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Sima | Episode: "Lubid" | ABS-CBN |
| 2016 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Shirley Esguerra | Episode: "Backpack" | ABS-CBN |
| 2016 | The Story of Us | Carmy Santos-Manalo | | ABS-CBN |
| 2016 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Marilyn "Bing" Concine | Episode: "Riles" | ABS-CBN |
| 2016 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Amy | Episode: "Popcorn" | ABS-CBN |
| 2016 | Celebrity Playtime | Player on Team 90's | | ABS-CBN |
| 2017–2018 | Wildflower | Emilia Ardiente-Torillo | | ABS-CBN |
| 2018 | Bagani | Matadora / Bighani | | ABS-CBN |
| 2019 | StarStruck | Herself/Mentor | | GMA Network |
| 2019 | Dear Uge | Arlene | Episode: "Bahay Bangayan" | GMA Network |
| 2019–2022 | Prima Donnas | Ma. Kendra Fajardo-Claveria | | GMA Network |
| 2021 | I Can See You: #Future | Menchie Torres | | GMA Network |
| 2021 | Tadhana | Lileth | Episode: "Dalawa ang Aking Ina" | GMA Network |
| 2022–2023 | Mano Po Legacy: The Flower Sisters | Lily Y. Chua-Tan | | GMA Network |
| 2024 | Pamilya Sagrado | Atty. Divine Torres | | Kapamilya Channel |
| 2024 | ASAP Natin 'To | Herself / Performer | Co-host | Kapamilya Channel |

### TV commercials

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

## Awards

* Best Actress for Maalaala Mo Kaya: The Movie, FAP Luna Awards 1995
* 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
* Best Drama Supporting Actress for Wildflower, 31st PMPC Star Awards for Television
* Best Supporting Actress for Rainbow's Sunset, 44th Metro Manila Film Festival
* Pinakapasadong Katuwang na Aktres for Rainbow's Sunset, 21st Gawad PASADO Awards
* Favorite Kontrabida for Prima Donnas, RAWR Awards 2020
* Best Drama Supporting Actress for Prima Donnas, 34th PMPC Star Awards for Television