ACTRESS Aiko Melendez has appealed to critics to give her son Andrei Yllana a chance in show business following his appearance on a television anthology recently.
“Si Andrei (Yllana) kakapasok lang po. So sana po bigyan naman nila ng pagkakataon ‘yung bata na maghanda naman ng sarili nya,” said Melendez during an interview on “Tonight With Boy Abunda” on ABS CBN.
“That’s why nagwo-workshop sya. In fact, we did a workshop together, he’s one of my students. Di ba napag-usapan natin na ang dream project ko is to work with my son,” said Melendez, one of the stars of the popular afternoon teleserye “Wildflower” on the Kapamilya network.
“Mahirap para sa anak katulad ni Andrei na ma compare na ang tatay at nanay nya ay artista. And I want him to have his own identity. Someday I hope that he will make his own mark,” she said.
Andrei is the son of Melendez and actor Jomari Yllana. Both have separated but they remain good friends. During Andrei’s appearance on “Maala-ala Mo Kaya,” some netizens criticized his acting skills.
Asked to comment on her Instagram post “Weak people revenge, Strong people forgive, Intelligent people ignore,” Melendez said: “Maybe because I’ve matured. That I’ve learned how to choose my battles. And maybe there were incidents these past few days that I don’t want to discuss anymore that I’d like to ignore.”
Melendez was referring to a confrontation incident with her Iranian ex-boyfriend Shahin Alimirzapour and close friend Ken Alfonso at the Revel in Bonaficio Global City in Taguig City recently.
The former Quezon City councilor clarified that she has separated from her boyfriend for quite sometime now.
“Matagal na kaming wala. I think it’s but the best for both of us to leave me in peace. I’m at peace right now with my life. Ayoko ng controversies. Sana, he’ll stop posting sa Instagram niya,” Melendez told entertainment website PEP.
“You know, I didn’t have Facebook for a long time, two days ago langakonagka-Facebook ulit. So, a lot of people and our common friends have been sending me what he was posting [about] me. So, sanalanghuwagnamagparinig, kasi it will not help any…
“It will not help me, it will not help him, move on na,” she said.