Aiko Melendez says her son Andre is entering showbiz this year

Rhea Manila Santos

<div><img src='' alt='030813-aiko_main.jpg' width='305' height='290' align='left' border='0'>An exciting addition to the cast of the Primetime Bida series<i> Apoy Sa Dagat</i> is award-winning actress Aiko Melendez who will play the role of Odessa, which was portrayed by Nikki Gil during the premiere week. “<i>Sobrang</i> excited and pressured <i>kasi nanggagaling tayo sa napakahusay na</i> Nikki Gil <i>sa pagganap ng</i> role <i>ko bilang</i> Odessa. She had good reviews and a great performance so I’m kind of pressured <i>na sana mapantayan ko yung ginawa ni </i>Nikki,” Aiko said during her <i>Apoy Sa Dagat</i> solo presscon held last March 7 inside ABS-CBN. </div><div><br/></div><div>The 37-year-old actress said that fans of the show can look forward to many dramatic confrontations between her character Odessa and Angel Aquino’s character Adriana. “<i>Magkakaroon kami ng mga sagutan siyempre sa linyahan pa-bonggahan ng</i> lines and then <i>hindi pa naman kasi na-te-</i>tape<i> kung ano yung mga sagutan namin. Diniscuss pa lang sa amin </i>how <i>tapos ang ganda ang mga eksena kasi pati yung</i> role <i>ni Ate </i>Sylvia Sanchez <i>dito bilang</i> best friend <i>ko, ang ganda ng</i> twist <i>nung storya, nugn pagpasok ng</i> role <i>ko kung paano ko papabagsakin si</i> Adriana. <i>May sampalan. Sa mga na-</i>tape <i>ko na, siguro sa tatatlong </i>sequences <i>puro ako ang nasasampal kasi nga api ako dito. Kay tita </i>Liza Lorena <i>pa lang ako nasasampal eh. Pero sana abangan nila. Pinapangako namin kung gaano ka-init ang pagtanggap nila mula sa</i> pilot <i>hanggang sa huli ibibigay ng Apoy Sa Dagat yung hinahanap nilang apoy sa bawat eksena</i>,” she shared.</div><div><br/></div><div>After playing the kontrabida role of Catherine Villamayor in <i>Reputasyon</i> in 2011, Aiko admitted she is excited to play an underdog role in <i>Apoy Sa Dagat. </i>This will also be her first time to work with Piolo Pascual, Angelica Panganiban, and Diether Ocampo. “I’m really excited, <i>nakunan na yung isang</i> scene<i> ng unang pagtatagpo namin ni</i> Angelica and excited <i>na </i>excited <i>ako na mapanuod ito ng tao kasi napakahusay dito ni</i> Angelica. <i>Hindi madali na mag-</i>portray <i>ng kambal na</i> role, <i>nakakapagod yun </i>physically and emotionally. She gave a good performance,” she said.</div><div><br/></div><div>Although she plays varying characters on television, Aiko’s favorite role will always be doting mother to Andre and Marthena, her children with Jomari Yllana and with Martin Jickain. Aiko revealed that 14-year-old Andre is planning to enter showbiz very, very soon. “Yes, we’re preparing him <i>na. Kung ano gagawin niya, yun ang</i> gusto<i> namin i-</i>figure out<i> kasi ayoko naman na paglabas niya, parang ano</i> <i>bayan nakakahiya, nakaka</i>-pressure<i> yun sa akin</i> and <i>sa </i>dad <i>niya. Kaya nga mag-uusap pa kami ni </i>Jom this week<i> kung paano namin iha</i>-handle<i> yung pagpasok ni </i>Andre <i>sa</i> showbiz<i> kasi </i>next week <i>may ipa-plano kami,</i>” she admitted.</div><div><br/></div><div>Aiko said her son is interested in more than just acting. “<i>Gusto ko makita</i> and <i>ma</i>-experience <i>naman ng tao na may boses yung anak ko eh,</i> he can sing so that’s one thing <i>na gusto ko medyo i-</i>hone<i> na</i> talent and<i> sa </i>acting <i>medyo ipa-pa</i>-workshop <i>namin kasi hindi pa naman siya sanay,</i>” she added.</div><div><br/></div><div>Aiko couldn’t help but show her stage mother side while talking about her firstborn. “He’s a combination of Jomari and Aiko, but more of Jomari <i>pero maputing</i> version. So just imagine. I’m such a proud mom. So <i>parang kaya ako siguro hindi nag</i>-file <i>ng</i> candidacy <i>ko </i>this year <i>kasi magiging mas</i> busy <i>ako</i> as a mom, as a stage mom to my son. (laughs),” she admitted.</div><div><br/></div><div>Because he is only in first year high school, Aiko admitted she is not allowing her son to court girls yet. “<i>Kasi</i> 14 <i>pa lang siya eh tapos minsan may nakausap akong manghuhula, alam ko naman hindi dapat ako maniwala pero sabi madami daw kaming magiging apo sa labas ni</i> Jom. So <i>na</i>-tense<i> ako. yung </i>cellphone <i>ng anak, alam naman niya ito, binabasa ko </i>so <i>mga</i> two weeks <i>ako, linagyan ba naman niya ng</i> pass code! So<i> sabi ko,</i> my God <i>baka naman magkatotoo yan, aatakihin ako </i>(laughs),” she shared.</div><div><br/></div><div>If ever Andre becomes part of a love team, Aiko said she will be okay with it. “<i>Sa </i>love team<i> oo pero gusto ko makilala muna yung ka-</i>love team (laughs).<i> Siyempre mga</i> love team love team <i>na yan ang uso </i>now<i> di ba? Parang barkada ang relasyon ko kay </i>Andre. I want him to treat me more like a<i> barkada </i>with respect <i>para hindi siya magtago sa aki</i>n,” she admitted.</div><div><br/></div><div>For more Kapamilya updates, log on daily to <a href='www.Push.com.ph'>Push.com.ph</a> and follow <a href='https://twitter.com/Push_Mina'>@Push_Mina</a> on Twitter.</div>

Aiko Melendez admits she is excited to become a stage mother to son Andre.

Aiko Melendez says her son Andre is entering showbiz this year | PUSH.COM.PH