VETERAN actress Aiko Melendez thanked ABS-CBN for giving her good projects for the past nine years. She looked forward to starring in the GMA-7 soap “Prima Donnas.”
It was earlier announced that she will be part of the upcoming GMA-7 drama series.
In an Instagram post Friday, May 24, Aiko said she will always be grateful to the bosses of ABS-CBN who cast her in teleseryes for the past nine years.
She wrote (published as is), "Nagpapasalamat po ako sa chan 2 sa 9 years na oppurtunity na binigay nyo sa akin na makapag work dahil dito ako nag grow bilang isang actress at hindi ko mararating kung ano ako ngayon kundi dahil sa kanila.
"Nagpapasalamat po ako sa mga Boss ko po sa ABS CBN dahil maayos naman po ang aming relasyon at nakapagpaalam ako ng maayos."
The 43-year-old actress also emphasized the importance of having work as a single mother.
As she looks forward to doing her "big part" in Prima Donnas, Aiko knows that in the future, she will be able to work again in the Kapamilya network.
"Para sa akin po ang work ay napaka halaga bilang isang single mom. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa bagong blessing na binigay ng GMA 7 sa akin.
"Maliit ang mundo ng showbiz kaya alam ko sa puso ko na sa mga susunod na pagkakataon makakatrabaho uli ako sa ABS CBN! I will forever be grateful, No Goodbyes only but good words for ABS CBN :)
"For now, as I embark another journey in my career, I’m looking forward to be playing a Big Part in this new afternoon soap of GMA 7 entitled Prima Donnas. Salamat mga Kapamilya at Kapuso."
Aiko also gave a teaser for her look as Kendra, her character in Prima Donnas.
She only wrote in the caption, "IM BACK!!! Abangan si #Kendra #PrimaDonnas."
Prima Donnas reunites Aiko with Wendell Ramos, who played her husband in the defunct ABS-CBN series, Wildflower, in 2017.
In her latest Instagram post, Aiko recalls working with Wendell who was known as Jaguar in Wildflower.
She wrote: "Happy To be working again with @wendellramosofficial and Ms Chanda Romero. We never had the chance to work with each other. We were in one film pero di ko sya naka eksena, finally working with her! Excited to be directed by @ginalajar. I worked with her as an actress and we all know how good of an actress she is. So many learnings again for sure from her. While Wendell and I have this certain chemistry tlaga but this time di na sya si Jaguar #primadonnas @gmapinoytv."
Aiko's first and last teleserye with GMA-7 before Primas Donnas was the afternoon series Basahang Ginto, aired in 2010.
Prima Donnas, which is top-billed by Kapuso tween actresses Jillian Ward, Althea Ablan, and Sofia Pablo, is directed by Gina Alajar.
***
Angel Locsin fires back at Jimmy Bondoc's Facebook account.
"The network might not be perfect but for you to be happy about thousands of people losing their jobs is pure evil."
Angel may not have mentioned Jimmy's name on her post, but netizens believe the message is intended to the "Let Me Be The One" singer.
According to Jimmy, he is very excited to see the closing down of the biggest network in the country.
Jimmy is the current assistant vice president for entertainment of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).
In his Facebook post, the singer posted (as published): "I am so excited to see the biggest TV network close down.
"This company is a snake pit, where success is based on politics and sexual favors.
"NOBODY dares to talk about it because they either benefit from it, or they would rather not have them as enemies. Read before you judge me.
"ART and CULTURE have been ruined by this network. Our moral fiber as a nation, too. Wide-eyed kids seek dreams and fall in line, not knowing the hell that their lives will be plunged into.
"They have contests where the winners have been pre-determined, or are manipulated to suit the whims of the hidden bosses.
"Their news is for sale, highest bidder gets the slant. And foreign groups are usually the victors.
"I AM EAGERLY AWAITING YOUR DEMISE. I know how this sounds. And I know the nasty comments which are bound to come. I don't care.
"If you think COMELEC is bad, wait until you see the real machinery that is known as 'the biggest network.'
"This is not schadenfraude. This is hope! This is for real change.
"You have COUNTLESS VICTIMS, from sexual harassment to plain and simple bullying.
"I am so happy that your time has come."
Jimmy did not make mention of any network, but basing on his statement, he was obviously referring to ABS-CBN.
Prior to this, President Rodrigo Duterte said he will stop the franchise renewal of the kapamilya network.
It rooted up during Duterte's campaign at the presidential elections 2016.
Meanwhile, Angel posted on her Twitter account...
"Let me be the one to break this news to you so you don’t have to make excuses.
"The network might not be perfect but for you to be happy about thousands of people losing their jobs is pure evil.
"Maybe you’re just having a bad day. I will pray for you.
"Nung sumikat ka ba may na experience ka na sexual harassment? If yes I encourage you and all the victims to report this to the police.
"But generalizing that sexual favor is a prerequisite to success is just wrong."
Angel is currently seen on kapamilya's soap "The General's Daughter."
Jimmy replied back through his post.
"Mam Angel,
"1) all due respect to you;
"2) In my opinion, it was not a generalization, but rather a recognition of its existence. However, generalized or not, one case of verified harassment is one too many, personal or not;
"3) It is not about "pagsikat." It is more about many people who do NOT make it because they do not acquiesce;
"4) I do not believe na "sumikat" po ako, and I think this is beside the point.
"5) Filing a case under Art. 245 or 336 is not an option for most artists who are usually too young to know better. There are social repercussions that a teen or 20-something year old would not be equipped to handle. There is a case filed now, as far as I know, by a more known personality. But the case might not be open...
"To be clear, the post was not meant to apply to the artists or the hapless employees.
"It is about the system, and the consequences of the unwarranted benefits that I BELIEVE this network has received from past administrations.
"But of course, I expected the negative reactions. So be it."