# Aya Medel

Aya Medel (born November 5, 1980) is a Filipina former actress, chef, and restaurateur. She was dubbed as the "Papaya Queen" in the 1990s.

## Career

At age 14, Medel was spotted by a modeling agent after she became first runner-up in Mutya ng Tabaco in Albay. She went from modeling to acting in erotic films such as Asong Ulol, Totoy Mola, Molata, Babae sa Bubungang Lata, Padre Kalibre, and Sisa. Medel also starred in foreign films such as Naked Nights, Love and Desire Troublesome Nights (a comedy film shown in Hong Kong), and Total Aikido (a film shown in Japan). During her showbiz stint, Medel also became a television host for the anthology drama, Daisy Siete, and the longest noontime variety show, Eat Bulaga.
Medel has left her showbiz career to become a chef. She now owns several restaurants.

## Personal life

When Medel quit her acting career in 2002, she married Yoji Hayakawa, a Japanese businessman with whom she has two children. They divorced. Medel studied to become a chef at the Center of Asian Culinary School and started a restaurant business in Tabaco, Albay.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Film Production |
| 1997 | Padre Kalibre | Regal Films |
| 1997 | Totoy Mola | Scorpio Films |
| 1997 | Sya'y Nagdadalaga | Amaritz Films International |
| 1997 | No Read, No Write | Good Harvests Production |
| 1997 | Nakalimot sa pag-ibig | Golden Tower Films |
| 1997 | Masarap, masakit ang magmahal | Good Harvest Unlimited |
| 1997 | Kapag nasukol ang asong ulol | MC Arce Productions, RS Productions |
| 1997 | Akin Ka Lamang | Good Harvests Production, Good Harvests Unlimited |
| 1998 | Bawal | Good Harvests Productions, Regal Films |
| 1998 | Squala | Neo Films |
| 1998 | Kargado | Good Harvests Productions, Regal Films |
| 1998 | Alipin ng Aliw | EDL Productions, Gloanne Films |
| 1998 | Laruang Buhay | MHR Productions |
| 1998 | Troublesome Nights 4 | Filmmakers Workshop, Nam Yin Production Company |
| 1998 | Notoryus | Star Cinema |
| 1998 | Babae sa Bubungang Lata | Good Harvests Productions |
| 1998 | Kaya ko pero Masakit | Widescreen Productions |
| 1998 | Shirley | Amaritz Films International |
| 1999 | Droga, Pagtatapat ng mga Babaeng Addict | EDL Productions, Gloanne Films |
| 1999 | Molata | ATB-4 Films |
| 1999 | Sisa | Regal Films, Good Harvest Productions |
| 1999 | Wala ka nang Lupang Tatapakan | Arthur Films |
| 1999 | Nikilado | Regal Films |
| 1999 | Hilig ng Katawan | Good Harvest Productions |
| 1999 | Pamasak Butas | BSU Productions |
| 1999 | Gatilyo | Good Harvest Productions |
| 1999 | Largado, Ibabalik kita sa pinanggalingan mo! | Classic Films |
| 1999 | Sindak | Metal Dog Productions, Solar Films |
| 1999 | Tatlong Makasalanan | Good Harvest Productions, Regal Films |
| 1999 | Dalagang Dagat | Good Harvest Productions |
| 2000 | Gawin sa Dilim 2 | ATB-4 Films |
| 2000 | Basta Tricycle Driver... Sweet Lover | Sunlight Films, MMG Entertainment International |
| 2001 | Duwag lang ang Sumusuko | ATB-4 Films |
| 2001 | Venus: Diosa ng Kagandahan | Atlantic Films |
| 2001 | Naked Nights | FLT Films International |
| 2002 | Eva, Lason kay Adan | Jordan Films, K Productions |
| 2002 | Bukang Bibig | El Niño Films |
| 2002 | Pagsaluhan | El Niño Films |
| 2002 | Sugat, Walang Paghilom | |
| 2002 | Gising na si Adan | Jolo Films |

### Television

| Year | Title | Network |
| 1997 | Esperanza | ABS-CBN |
| 1999 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | ABS-CBN |
| 2001 | Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Seasons of Love | GMA Network |
| 2014 | Magpakailanman: Ang Ina sa Gitna ng Tsunami | GMA Network |