Mary Aiko Shimoji Melendez (Tagalog: [ˈaɪkɔ mɛˈlɛndɛs]; born December 16, 1975) is a Filipino actress and politician. She began her career as a child actress and later became a romantic lead in the 1990s. She achieved newfound fame playing secondary dramatic roles in film and television in the succeeding decades and has since garnered various accolades, including a Luna Award and two Manila Film Festival Awards, in addition to nominations for five FAMAS Awards. She has served 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.
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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. She ran for vice mayor of Quezon City in 2010 as the running mate of Mike Defensor, but lost to Joy Belmonte.
On October 22, 2007, Melendez appeared in the game show Kapamilya Deal or No Deal where she become the second celebrity contestant to win at least ₱1 million, though she missed out on winning the top prize of ₱3 million (then the top prize of that season), which was inside her briefcase. One year later on November 25, she partnered with Candy Pangilinan on the same show and also won the ₱1 million prize. Their win marked two firsts in Kapamilya Deal or No Deal's history: the first time that a team had won at least ₱1 million, and Melendez as the first (and currently the only) contestant to win ₱1 million in multiple runs.
She did several shows on GMA Network but most often appeared on ABS-CBN. In 2011, Aiko returned to ABS-CBN for an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya and Reputasyon. In 2013, she was part of the TV series Apoy Sa Dagat. In 2015, Melendez played the role of Fionna Vargas in Inday Bote. 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.
Personal life
Her father, Spanish-Japanese Jimmy Melendez (born Jim Shinoji) was also an actor, and her mother, Elsie B. Castañeda, is Filipina with Japanese and Spanish ancestry. Her paternal half-brother, Jam Melendez, also entered showbusiness.
Melendez was married to actor Jomari Yllana from 2000 but separated after a year. They have a son named Andrei. Their marriage was annulled in 2005.
In 2006, Melendez married Martin Jickain, with whom she has a daughter named Marthena. However, their marriage was annulled in 2010.
Melendez dated Zambales's 1st district representative Jay Khonghun, from 2018 until their breakup in 2025. In 2026, she announced that she was dating a long-time friend, actor Onemig Bondoc.
In 2013, Melendez converted to Born Again Christianity.
In October 2026, she was engaged to Onemig Bondoc.
Filmography
TV commercials
Rexona (May 1994)
Pigromix (August 1984)
Accolades
Celebrity Inductee, Eastwood City Walk of Fame Philippines 2014 - Won
Best Supporting Actress for Iadya Mo Kami, 15th Gawad Tanglaw Awards 2017
Pinakapasadong Katuwang na Aktres for Iadya Mo Kami, 19th Gawad PASADO Awards
Pinakapasadong Katuwang na Aktres for Rainbow's Sunset, 21st Gawad PASADO Awards
Favorite Kontrabida for Prima Donnas, RAWR Awards 2020
