Actress Aiko Melendez Opens Up About Her Co-Parenting Relationship with Fathers of her Children
Aiko Melendez, a popular actress in the Philippines, recently spoke about her unique co-parenting arrangement with the fathers of her two children, Andrei and Marthena. Aiko, who is currently dating Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun, believes in maintaining a peaceful relationship with her exes for the sake of her children.
Aiko’s son Andrei, 24, is from her previous relationship with Jomari Yllana, while her daughter Marthena, 17, is from her previous marriage to Martin Jickain. Both men have their own respective partners now, and Aiko values the importance of respect and boundaries in maintaining a healthy co-parenting dynamic.
As a single parent, Aiko emphasizes that she plays both the mother and father role for her children. She takes on the responsibility of being both the disciplinarian and the one who spoils them. Regarding Marthena’s relationship with her father Martin, Aiko prefers not to meddle and only communicates with him when necessary.
Although they may no longer have romantic feelings towards each other, Aiko acknowledges that people still react when they see her with her exes, especially on social media. She shared an incident where a photo she posted of herself, Martin, Marthena, Jay, and Andrei received negative reactions from bashers. Despite this, Aiko remains firm in her belief that she doesn’t owe anyone an explanation about her personal life.
Aiko also opened up about her relationship with Jomari, explaining that they decided not to hang out anymore to avoid complications. Their previous attempts to remain friends were always met with pressure from people who wanted them to get back together. Aiko and Jomari have moved on and are focused on co-parenting their son Andrei. Jomari is set to marry former actress Abby Viduya in November.
In addition to her personal life, Aiko recently completed her college degree in mass communications at Philippine Women’s University. At 47 years old, she admits that studying was not easy, but she feels proud of her accomplishment. Aiko plans to pursue her masters’ degree in the future.
While juggling her responsibilities as an actress and a public servant as a councilor in the 5th District of Quezon City, Aiko made the decision to prioritize her education and turned down showbiz-related offers. She believes that finishing her degree was a gift that no one can take away from her.
Apart from her own achievements, Aiko also prioritizes the mental well-being of her children. She acknowledges the challenges faced by today’s youth, particularly their exposure to social media and the overwhelming access to information. Aiko maintains open communication with her kids, asking about their day and ensuring they have someone to share their thoughts with.
Aiko is no stranger to online bashers and has warned her son Andrei about them. She recently defended her daughter Marthena from mean comments on social media and emphasized the importance of protecting her privacy.
With a successful acting career, a college degree, and a loving relationship with her children, Aiko Melendez continues to navigate her way through life as a dedicated and resilient single parent.
