MANILA, Philippines – Actress Aiko Melendez said that when she looks at the love team of Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo, it reminds her of her love team days with Aga Muhlach, whom she worked with in the movie May Minamahal in 1993.

At the press conference for the movie Barcelona: A Love Untold on Tuesday, August 30 (Aiko is part of the cast) Aiko said KathNiel said she saw herself in the two during her early days. Aga and Aiko dated after doing the movie. 

“Ako talaga… they really remind me of the Aiko-Aga days, May Minamahal,” she said.  

(For me, they really remind me of the Aiko-Aga days, May Minamahal.)

“Sobrang nakikita ko yung sweetness nila at hindi natin masisi talaga na may maramdaman man sila na more than friendship as of now. Because ‘yung roles na pinoportray nila ay diba nagkaroon ako ng first boyfriend sa May Minamahal sa katauhan ni Aga dahil na in love din si Monica and si Carlitos sa isa’t isa. Kaya naiintindihan ko yung pinagdadaanan nila. 

(I really see the sweetness with them and we cannot blame them for feeling something more than friendship as of now. Because the roles they portray, didn’t I even get my first boyfriend in May Minamahal in the person of Aga because Monica and Carlitos were so in love. That’s why I understand what they’re going through.)

“Pero sana huwag naman maudlot ‘yung sa inyo kasi yung sa amin naudlot,” she said.

(But I hope your relationship will stay strong because ours did not push through.)

Aiko also commended the two for staying grounded despite their popularity.

“Ako ang na-observe ko sa kanila ay ‘yung ugali nila. Ako kasi naniniwala ako na ang acting, natututunan iyan. Pero ang attitude ng isang tao, mahirap i-peke iyan.

(What I’ve observed about them is their attitude. I always believe that you can learn acting. But when it comes to attitude, you cannot fake it.)

“And I’ve said it, with these two stars, I seen myself in you before. Yung popularity nila, but what humbles me is that they don’t know that they’re that famous,” she said.

Aiko also shared that she always reminded her son Andre that if there’s one guy she wouldn’t mind her son looking up to in the industry, it would be Daniel.

“I’ve always said this to Andre. ‘Andre, kung may idol ka na artista sa generation nila, gusto ko si Daniel Padilla yun. Hindi lang dahil sa popularity niya… 

(I’ve always said this to Andre ‘Andre, if you have someone who you look upt of the artists in this generation, I want it to be Daniel Padilla. Not just because of his popularity…)

“Like I said, ang acting napag-aaralan ‘yan, pero ang pag-uugali kahit tumanda sila dala-dala nila ‘yan,” Aiko said.

(Like I said, you can learn acting but when it comes to attitude, even if they get older, they’ll carry that with them.) 

Barcelona: A Love Untold opens on September 14. – Rappler.com