Aiko Melendez on how she...

cloud nine,” she said, adding that it took her almost a year and a half to finish the course.

“It’s a gift that no one can take away from you,” Aiko pointed out. “Mahirap na masarap. I always want to do something new. I remember having a hard time adjusting in the beginning to the way classes were being conducted. I had to submit my paper online and I had to ask Marthena to help me.”

After a short break, Aiko said she would resume her work as an actress. Aiko is a councilor in the 5th District of Quezon City. “I had to really juggle school and my work as a public servant, but I had to turn down three show biz-related offers because I didn’t want to lose my focus. I told myself, ‘It’s now or never.’

If not now, then I might get disinterested,” she said.

Mental well-being

What Aiko is also focusing on is the mental well-being of her kids. “I don’t think I went through any kind of mental illness on my own during the pandemic because maybe I was too preoccupied watching over my two children. I’ve read that it’s really today’s youth who are more affected. They are more exposed to social media and have easy access to information on what’s happening in the world.”

She added: “Andrei is turning 25 in September and Marthena just turned 17. I always ask them how their day was and whether or not something is bothering them. I think simple words like, ‘Are you OK?’ are important to individuals like them. It’s important that they have someone to share their thoughts with, so they won’t feel so overwhelmed or alone.”

Aiko is also aware of the damage of getting negative comments on social media to young minds. “I always have bashers. That’s why I’ve already warned Andrei about them. I’m used to them, but not my daughter who is not an artista and, therefore, is not public property. There’s this one photo I posted of myself and my daughter that got comments from mean people. They said something bad about Marthena that I felt was really unfair. If you have problems with me, you can tell me, but please spare my daughter. You don’t know her,” she declared. n