Award-winning actress Aiko Melendez confirmed on Wednesday, January 12, that she is looking to play a different role after Prima Donnas: Book 2.
“Ayoko na. As much as possible. Hindi dahil… gusto ko lang kasing ma-reinvent na naman ng sarili ko eh. Kasi 2 shows ko kontrabida ako. So gusto ko next project ko, as much as possible, iba na naman. Para my audience won’t get bored of me. Yun ang rason ko talaga,” she said during the show’s virtual media conference.
However, if the series ends up getting another season, Melendez said she would think about it because of her Prima Donnas family.
“Hindi ko talaga masagot kasi depende din ‘yan sa outcome ng ratings ng Prima Donnas kung it will lead to another book ‘di ba?
“Ang hirap naman kasing iwan yung show na madami ka ring ininvest na emotions and then yung tightness ng relationship namin na igi-give up ko lang doon sa kagustuhan ko na ayoko nang magkontrabida.
“I think I’ll just cross the bridge when we get there kung may Book 3 pa. Kasi hindi ako namatay dito sa Book 2 so let’s see kung may Book 3,” explained the actress.
She also had a hard time giving up the friendship she formed with her co-stars.
“Mahirap. Kasi yung last day ko umiiyak ako, humahagulgol ako. Kasi nga we built a family dito sa soap na ‘to.”
She missed bonding with her cast members but was thankful that they still did not lose communication after their taping ended.
“Bibihira sa mga soap ang tumatagal ng ganito katagal. And talagang mahirap na iwanan, thank God for technology.
“Kasi may chat pa rin kami kasi may chat pa rin kami na I can still read. I’m updated kung ano nangyayari sa mga cast members ko. Kami ni Wendell lagi kaming in touch, Kami ni Ms. Chan tsaka ni Katrina, lagi kaming nagte-text lang, sina Direk Gina, lahat.”
Melendez struggled in the new season of Prima Donnas.
The actress will play, once again, the evil and demented Ma. Kendra Fajardo-Claveria. This time around, in the show’s new season, she was challenged by her directors, Gina Alajar and Philip Lazaro by having her play through a rollercoaster of emotions on a scene.
She admitted that it was [really] hard for her and had days where she was “not feeling it.”
“Hirap na hirap talaga ako and there were days talaga na I go to Direk Gina and Direk Philip and I tell them na nawawala ako sa lines ko. Kasi nga ang daming nangyayari sa labas and then yung taping, yung strict protocols.”
But Melendez felt blessed despite the hardships. She thanked her directors for believing in her.
“Hirap ako pero I’m so blessed kasi hindi nagsawa yung mga directors ko na naniwala na meron pa akong p’wedeng ilabas at ipakita sa Book 2.
“Kaya Direk Gina, maraming maraming salamat, Direk Philip, thank you,” she expressed her gratitude.
Direk Gina is impressed by Aiko’s maturity.
The actress also wowed the show’s director with her acting in the series.
According to Alajar, Melendez surpassed what she did in Prima Donnas’ first season.
“Kasi she did it na walang ka-effort-effort. She did it na walang karga… basta magaling ang pagkakagawa niya. Parang hindi siya nahihirapan, walang ka-effort-effort. And you know it’s coming from somewhere, it’s coming from within. And I’m truly happy with the outcome of Kendra’s character,” observed the director.
Alajar also got inspired by the actress to be a much better director as she said, “If you have an actress like Aiko Melendez who is willing to do anything, mai-inspire ka din.”
The director also pointed that her dedication to the character could shock the viewers.
“She can still surprise you, that’s the best thing.”
Prima Donnas Book 2 will begin airing on GMA Afternoon Prime on January 24.
