Aiko Melendez-Martin Jickain reconciliation dims

"You've lost that loving feeling..." croons The Righteous Brothers in 1965. Estranged couple Aiko Melendez and Martin Jickain should be singing the same tune by now. In a rare interview after their separation, both Aiko and Martin spoke to entertainment columnist Ricky Lo and spewed out their ill feelings towards each other. "Isa sa mga rason kung bakit hindi ako nagsasalita for almost two months kasi alam naman natin lahat pader ‘tong binabangga ko," begins Martin. He then cited his wife's political influence as the strongest reason why he would rather shy away from the press than give his two cents about the issue. "Si Aiko hindi ordinaryong tao. Ayoko siyang sabayan dahil wala naman akong laban sa kanya, e," muses Martin. The interview was aired last Saturday, October 20, in Startalk. In response, Aiko said: "Ako kasi survivor ako, Ninong. Everytime na nadadapa ako, bumabangon ako." The "ninong" reference was directed to Ricky, who stood as one of the principal sponsors during Aiko and Martin's February 16, 2006 wedding held at the Fernwood Gardens in Quezon City. IMPRISONED WOMANIZER? The reason behind the split remains vague. As a result, a lot of speculations have risen-with Martin's alleged philandering ways as the loudest of them all. When Ricky broached the subject candidly by asking, "Ano ba talaga ang dahilan ng hiwalayan ninyo, once and for all? May ibang babae si Martin?" Aiko simply grinned before answering: "Can I just smile?" In defense, Martin argued that it would be very impossible for him to carry on an affair with just anybody since he's very well stifled by security escorts provided by Aiko. "Paano ko makapambababae, meron siyang in-assign na bodyguard sa akin, every week paiba-iba? Lahat ng mga kaibigan ko, ‘O, Martin sosyal ka na di-bodyguard ka ngayon.' ‘Di ko lang masabi, ‘Taga-report 'yan.'" As Quezon City's second district councilor, Aiko admitted having bodyguards for herself extending to her former husband. "I don't deny the fact that I have securities," stated Aiko, who is serving her second term as councilor in Quezon City's largest district. She further added sarcastically, "Pero 'yong para sabihin na ang security po namin ay natutulog sa kuwarto namin, katabi naming mag-asawa na 24 hours nagbabantay doon, parang napaka-imposible naman yata po non. E, di sana 'yong asawa ko, 'yong mga security ko na lang po." WASHING DIRTY LINENS. As a throwback to the womanizing charge, Martin, on the other hand, accused his ex-wife of keeping a gambling habit, which contributed greatly to the cracks of their union. "Isa sa mga rason," muses Martin hesitantly, "Siguro 'yong pagka-casino niya." Aiko has a ready reply: "I don't deny the fact na I've been to a casino. But I can never say that I'm a gambler. That I go there like everyday, no. Bakit ngayon lang lumalabas?" After the separation, Aiko was besieged with rumors that she immediately picked the pieces and briskly plunged into a relationship with Bulacan, Bulacan Vice-Mayor Patrick Meneses, who was the actress's classmate when she took up a Public Administration crash course in University of The Philippines June of this year. The rumor stemmed from some people's accounts that the two are often seen together. That fact was even more strengthened when Aiko attended a public event with Patrick in tow. "That's what they say," Aiko fired back before continuing, "I don't deny the fact that he became my friend and I don't see anything wrong there. It's so unfair for Patrick." Is Martin aware of the issue? "Naririring ko pero matanda na siya, e. Alam niya na yong tama at mali," the young model answered. Ricky asked both parties if there's still any feeling left inside of them intended for each other. The answer turned out to be mutual. "As of now talaga, I don't feel anything," quoted Aiko bearing a straight face. It was the same for Martin. "Wala na talaga kong maramdaman, ni galit wala na, e. Wala, blangko na," he coldly reacted. - Philippine Entertainment Portal