With her term as Quezon City councilor of District 2 nears, who does Aiko Melendez see fit to take over her coveted position – Alfred Vargas or Ara Mina?

“For me it doesn’t matter who will win. The most important thing is that they will serve the people of Quezon City from the heart. And the only reason they are running should only be to serve the people,” explained Aiko during the 7th birthday party of “Angelina” (Ogie Alcasid) for the movie “Yaya and Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie.”

She added that she has buried long time ago her “rift” and “ill-feelings” for Ara Mina who she once described as a “home wrecker” and the reason for her failed marriage to actor Jomari Yllana. Thus, she won’t feel bad if Ara wins next year as Councilor for the 2nd District of Quezon City.

“I’ve always been prepared for everything kung baga sa akin wala na yun. Past is past,” she declared.

Since she has focused on her duties as a Councilor for the 2nd District of Quezon City, the awarded actress has done less showbiz work despite the clamor and concentrated more on her civic duties. With her term ending after nine years, she has been keen on running for Vice Mayor of Quezon City in the 2010 elections. But she admits that she still longs to act on TV or the movies and that’s the reason she accepted the offer to play Angelina’s mom in “Yaya and Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie.” This is also the second time for her to play wife to Jomari Yllana who is playing the father of Angelina in the said film.

“As a Councilor, my job has more to do with legislation. This means that I can use the knowledge and experience that I gained in nine years as the Vice Mayor of Quezon City. My forte is as a legislator,” she quipped.

Going back to the movie, “alam naman natin that this movie will be a sure hit,” she smiled. “And it’s a family movie which means my kids, Andrei and Martina, can watch it. I also want to do something wholesome and light. Kasi sa sobrang dami ng problema ng bayan natin, we need to make people laugh and happy naman!”

Aiko also pointed out to the lead actors Ogie Alcasid and Michael V as the reason she accepted the offer to appear in the movie co-produced by GMA Films and APT Entertainment.

“I was very excited to be working again with Ogie and Michael V. Nakatrabaho ko na sila noon pa sa ‘Bubble Gang.’ So it was a breeze and at the same time fun working with them especially in comedy,” she recalled.

“Yaya and Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie” was the movie that interested her more than the other movie scripts given to her which were more on heavy drama.

“I’m very open to do drama because that is my forte. For this time though I really wanted something light… I’m with Tito Boy Abunda now and I know he will see to it that I’ll be doing something worth my while. Like what I’ve said before I miss acting and I really want a teleserye para mahasa ko naman yung pag-arte ko sa drama,” she intimated.

Directed by Mike Tuviera, “Yaya and Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie” also stars Iza Calzado, Leo Martinez, Roxanne Guinoo, Sheena Halili, Victor Aliwalas, Pekto Nacua and John Feir.

Marriage can wait

Aside from a successful political and showbiz career, Aiko is said to be on her way to a successful love life with her blooming relationship with Bulacan, Bulacan Acting Mayor Patrick Meneses. But she stressed that she is not getting married anytime soon.

“We started out as friends and we don’t want to destroy that friendship by rushing into things especially marriage. Doon ako nagkakamali. For almost two years now I’m taking my time being single and I’m enjoying it. I don’t want to get into something very serious. Dahan-dahan muna,” remarked Aiko.

Despite her failed marriages in the past, Aiko confessed that she was never traumatized by her experiences. She still believes in love and the sanctity of marriage. But this time around she is being careful and vigilant in her decisions.

“I just want to get to know him better, and vice versa, especially about our ideals and plans in our respective lives… we were classmates before in UP and our foundation was really that of a ‘barkadahan,’” she said.

Comparing her new relationship to her exes who were showbiz personalities, she described it as having more security and peace. She described herself as feeling like the “only queen in his life.”

More than marriage though, what Aiko is more prepared for now is becoming the Vice Mayor of Quezon City in 2010 and that’s how much she loves being a public servant!