Aiko Melendez’s daughter Marthena Jickain, 18, just earned five college admissions abroad.
This was revealed in Aiko’s YouTube vlog—the actress' first-ever one-on-one interview with her daughter from her former marriage to Martin Jickain.
It was released on July 29, 2024.
Read: Aiko Melendez-Martin Jickain have totally lost that lovin' feeling
In the interview, Marthena talked about turning down the opportunity of studying abroad and choosing a top Philippine university instead.
Her decision was for Aiko's sake.
She explained, “Actually, I applied kasi abroad din ng college and I got accepted.
“Pero iniisip pa rin ni Mama na, ‘You’re still my baby girl.’
“Siyempre, andon yung emotional attachment, which I one-hundred-percent understand,’ ganon…
“Pero I know naman to myself na where I am now is exactly where I need to be.”
Being more specific, Marthena gave details about her five college admissions: “Three in the U.K. and then two in the U.S.”
Read: Aiko Melendez graduates with a degree in Journalism
Speaking her mind in the vlog, Aiko said that while she wasn't ready yet to “let go” and give her daughter a certain kind of independence, she would have allowed Marthena to pursue her studies abroad.
Apart from Marthena, Aiko has another child, Andre Yllana, 25, from former husband Jomari Yllana.
MARTHENA ON INDEPENDENCE
In the conversation, Marthena talked about experiencing a glimpse of life abroad during her short stay in the States.
She lived with her aunt, Aiko’s sister, and took care of her younger cousins.
Marthena observed, “Yung independence, iba yung level of independence dun—from your own chores down to the smallest things, you have to do it by yourself.
“Here kasi in the Philippines, we have helpers, kasambay, who would help us along whatever we do in the house.”
Turning to her mom, she added, “As a baby girl, lahat ng kailangan ko andon kayo.
“Doon sa U.S., wala talaga. You have to be very independent.”
MARTHENA TO STUDY IN ATENEO
Back to her college studies, Marthena will be taking up Developmental Studies at the Ateneo de Manila University.
Her chosen study is a multidisciplinary course in law, politics, and economics, which are the fields Marthena is interested in.
“At least, I get to have a glance on those areas all at once,” she commented.
She is leaning toward becoming a lawyer someday, and considers her mom Aiko, being a public servant, as a huge influence.
Aiko has intermittently served as a councilor in Quezon City since 2001.
The actress mentioned that Marthena took up a summer course in Law in 2023 at the Somerville College Oxford, which counts two former prime ministers in England and the only British woman to win a Nobel prize for science as its alumni.
MARTHENA ON SHOWBIZ, POLITICS, AND SPORTS
Asked by her mom about entering showbiz, Marthena replied categorically, “Hindi po.
"Right now, it’s not my focus. Parang hindi pa ako masyadong out of my shell for that kind of stretch, out of my comfort zone.”
However, she expressed willingness to do endorsement and modelling gigs.
Apparent during Marthena's interview was her enthusiasm for public service, “Definitely it’s not out of the picture."
Addressing Aiko, she said, "Syempre iba pag nakakatulong ka sa mga tao, di ba, when you’re in public service.
"I’d like to help others, as well.
“I don’t know if it’s todo na sa public service or behind the scenes. So, any kind of that, I can offer, I’m willing to do.”
When asked about sports, Marthena appeared giddy.
She has been playing volleyball since she was eight years old, and, according to Aiko, Marthena joined volleyball tournaments in barangay level as a young girl and was a serious player in school.
Marthena named Jia de Guzman, a popular figure in the volleyball industry, as her idol.
Jia is a former team captain of the Ateneo Lady Eagles Volleyball Team, and is the team leader of the national team in women's volleyball.
She said effusively, “She’s the setter of the Philippines right now. Grabe, iba yung discipline niya, leadership niya on the court.
“Sana, someday, if it’s for me or if I work hard enough for it, sana I get to do that as well.”
As could be expected, Marthena disclosed her hopes to make it to the Ateneo varsity team.
MARTHENA ON MOM AND FUTURE PLANS
Aiko then asked her daughter how she sees herself in five years.
“In five years’ time, hopefully, naka-graduate na ako by that time," answered Marthena.
“Sana by that time, I’m still playing volleyball. Sana na-pursue ko na rin yung goal ko na ipagpatuloy siya i-pursue.
“Hopefully, I get to do that if it’s God’s plan for me and if I work hard enough for it.”
Finally, Marthena left a message to her mom, “I’m really grateful kasi you’re always there.”
She detailed that Aiko would show up in her volleyball practices even on occasions when the actress was taping until the wee hours of the morning.
Marthena specified that those were “special moments” for her.
And since she is now of legal age, Marthena hopes that her mom will give her a bit more freedom to do things on her own terms.
Aiko’s daughter said, “Sana you believe in me enough na kaya kong gawin yung mga bagay na pino-prove ko naman sa iyo na gusto kong gawin.
“Alam ko naman ang pagiging mother mo, sana may mga bagay na feel ko, if you’d say yes to it, I’d probably [have] pursued it.”
For her part, Aiko said that she will make adjustments to accommodate her daughter’s request, albeit gradually.