“I’ll play the mother of Angelica Panganiban in the new soap, ‘Apoy sa Dagat’, with Piolo Pascual. And right after that, I’m supposed to do another soap. The movie naman with Gov. Chavit is a suspense thriller, ‘Ikapito’, written by Joel Mercado of ‘Sukob’ and ‘Dalaw’ and the full length directorial debut of Rechie del Carmen who directed me before in ABS-CBN’s ‘Reputasyon’.”
Why is title ‘Ikapito’? “Because there’s a curse on our family and it will take effect when my daughter reaches her seventh birthday. Doon maraming strange events na magaganap sa buhay namin. Kasama rito sina Pops Fernandez and Candy Pangilinan. Yung leading man ko, next week pa puedeng i-announce kung sino. We intend to release this by February next year.”
Is it true she and ex-hubby Jomari Yllana have reconciled? “No, we’re the best of friends now and we’re in good terms for our son, Andre. But wala pong balikang nagaganap. I’m not dating anyone seriously”
How about second hubby Martin Jickaine? “We’re okay. He just got married again. Friends ko ang exes ko, except the last one.”
She’s referring to Mayor Patrick Meneses who filed a libel case against her. Haven’t they settled it yet? “Ewan ko doon.” But he’s now with Ara Mina. “So I heard.” This is the second time Ara got cozy with an ex of hers, the first one being Jomari. What can she say about it? “I don’t know. That imitation is the best form of compliment?” she laughs. “Siguro we have the same taste. Basta, akong nauuna, ha.”
Aiko joined showbiz when she was only 6 as the young Snooky Serna in “Where Love Has Gone” and as Gabby Concepcion’s sister in “Sta. Claus is Coming to Town”. She’s now turning 37 on December 16 and after 31 years in showbiz, she feels she has a lot more to give as an actress.
