Aiko Melendez is a Filipino actress and politician. She has had a successful career as a child star in the 1980s and leading lady in the 1990s and 2000s. She has received many awards for her acting work. Melendez has also served as councilor of Quezon City from 2001-2010 and currently since 2022. She has a long filmography spanning over 40 years in the entertainment industry.

1. Aiko
Melendez

2. Aiko Melendez
Mary Aiko Shimoji Melendez (born December 16, 1975), known professionally as Aiko
Melendez (Tagalog: [ˈaɪkɔ mɛˈlɛndɛs]), 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.

3. 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 Villaroel 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.

4. Dubbed as the Ultimate Star by the media,[2] 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[3] in London and "Best Actress" at the
International Film Festival Manhattan in New York City.[4] 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.

5. 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.[6][7] She ran for vice
mayor of Quezon City in 2010 as the running mate of Mike Defensor, but lost to Joy Belmonte.

6. She did several shows on GMA Network but most often appeared on ABS-CBN.[6] In 2011, Aiko
returned to ABS-CBN for an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya and Reputasyon.[8][9] In 2013, she
was part of the TV series Apoy Sa Dagat.[7] In 2015, Melendez played the role of Fionna Vargas
in Inday Bote.[10] 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.

7. 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 2004.[12]
In 2006, 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.[13]
In 2013, Melendez converted to Born Again Christianity.[

8. Filmography
982
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

9. 1990 Trese
Last 2 Minutes
Tora Tora, Bang Bang Bang
Nimfa
1991 Underage Too
Gabo: Walang Patawad Kung
Pumatay
Meanne
Kung Sino Pa Ang Minahal
Emma Salazar Case

10. 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

11. 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

12. 1993 Aguinaldo
Dino... Abangan ang Susunod
Na...
Dugo ng Panday
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

13. 1995 Sa'yo Lamang
Bawal na Gamot 2
Araw-araw, Gabi-gabi
Batang-X 1996 Mula Noon Hanggang Ngayon
Huling Sagupaan
Ayoko na Sanang Magmahal

14. 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

15. 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
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