Nangati ang lalamunan at nawalan ng panlasa… AIKO, NAPRANING NA MAY COVID-19

ni Reggee Bonoan - @Sheet Matters | December 2, 2020

Dahil sa tonsillitis kaya nawalan ng panlasa ang aktres na si Aiko Melendez habang nasa locked-in taping siya ng teleseryeng Prima Donnas sa loob nang 22 days.

Ang FB post ni Aiko nu’ng isang araw, “Eto ‘yung araw na akala namin lahat me Covid ako. Nawalan ng panlasa. Protocol is isolate kaagad sa set. That’s how strict GMA is kapag me symptoms ka.

“They made me wear PPE straight in my room until I got my test result which is negative. I was brought to the hospital to get my swab.

“And Dang (damn) that was the longest 45 minutes of my life waited and prayed. And what got me going was while I was escorted by the ambulance, back in the set they were all praying for me led by Direk Tuding Alajar (Gina Alajar).

“Since I didn’t have my mom on the set, Direk Gina acted as my mom, gave me all the energy boosters. Sharing this story 'coz being in a locked-in setup is never easy. Everyday we pray for safety.

“Just to be able to work and give our viewers what they deserve to watch comes risks also to our health. But my Lord is bigger than any of this scare! I’m completely healed and surrounded with people who pray so hard.

“Salamat Lord! I’m back negative! And ready to be Kendra again. In a few days, our last stretch of locked-in will come to end. Can you blame me if I will surely be missing this set?

“We don’t know yet if there is book 2 so, pls. to our viewers, give it your best shot to watch our remaining episodes. Buwis-buhay episodes coming up! Like what I’ve said, times like these you’ll know who’s up for concern and up dedma, ahahahaha! At least I know.”

Sabi pa ni Aiko sa amin, “AKALA ko may COVID ako. Nawalan ako ng panlasa and may makati sa throat ko. Hahahaha!” na ang pakiramdam daw niya ay napapraning siya.

“Thank you Lord. I know my energy comes from you. I almost got sick but you healed me right away. Got a Covid scare 'coz I had symptoms. GMA had me tested ‘coz nawala panlasa ko only to find out I have tonsillitis.

“Thank you to my GMA family who took good care of me until I tested negative, and to Direk Tuding Alajar who is just like my 2nd mom on the set, made sure to give me the proper meds and vitamins.

“Was telling direk, sana, siya na lang naging stepmom ko. Hahahahah! 'Coz alam ni Mommy, Papa Jimi had a crush on her. I love you, direk. To my EP’s Ms. Marissa Jesuitas-Hilario and Sir Edwin Manzano Hilado round the clock checking on me when I got isolated.

“And to our PM Ms. Redgynn Alba who prepared my favorite tacos as my comfort food just to ease the tension while waiting for my result. To my Ms. Chanda Romero who was so worried about me, thank you. Lady Prima your highness. And to sis Maria Katrina Halili, Wendell Xavier Ramos, James Blanco who prayed for my healing, salamat.

“I sincerely appreciate it, Ate Mel Kimura also who constantly checked on me. Love you, ate.

Negative result! Tonsillitis kaya wala panlasa. Times like this you’ll know who cares for me.

“To my family who I caused anxiety! Ok na ako and du’n sa mga tao na dapat 'andu'n for me, salamat na lang. You know when you are sick, you tend to be emotional. Thank you, Kuya Arnold Vegafria and Vanessa Marcelo who checked on me. To GMA bosses for adjusting the scripts just for me able to rest, salamat, mahal ko kayo.”

Pero may mga miron na nagsabing baka nga may Covid si Aiko at itinago lang nito ang resulta dahil kailangan nitong tapusin ang taping ng Prima Donnas.

Kaagad kaming pinadalhan ng aktres ng larawan ng Covid test niya na negatibo siya.

Aniya, “Ate, send-an kita ng negative result ko kasi ang dami na nag-msg, akala nila, pinipilit lang ako ng GMA to work. Okay talaga ako, wala naman akong fever. Lost my sense of taste kasi may colds at tonsillitis ako kaya ganu’n, but other than that, wala na, it must be fatigue also, Ate, since I’m working almost every day. Isang araw lang day-off ko.”

Samantala, magaling na nga si Aiko habang ka-chat namin sa FB dahil nagawa pa niyang biruin ang Mama Elsie Castañeda niya na ang orihinal na ka-love team ng Daddy Jimi Melendez niya ay ang direktor nila ngayon sa Prima Donnas na si Direk Gina Alajar. Ipinost pa niya ang lumang larawan ng dad niya at ng direktora.

Ang caption ng larawan nina Jimi at Gina, “Bago pa ang KathNiel and LizQuen, Papa Jimi ko muna and si Direk Tuding Alajar ang magka-partner on screen.

"Bagay sila, aminin! I’m very open and so as my mom Elsie Castañeda na dapat s’ya na lang stepmom ko. Eh, di sana, may libre akong acting tips lagi, ahahahahahah! Hays, Papa naman, natorpe pa! #flashback. 'Di ba, Mama Elsie, fan ka ni direk, gusto magpunta sa set para sa picture with direk, kaso bawal lumabas, Mama. So, Mama, reminisce ka na lang muna. Sino'ng agree, bagay sila (Jimi at Gina)?"