AIKO Melendez describes hitting it off with Onemig Bondoc after 16 long years as nothing short of serendipitous. Both are in agreement that having past failed relationships was needed for them to get to where they are now.
If they had they not crossed paths again, the ‘90s male heartthrob of T.G.I.S. fame would not have been influenced to try his hand at vlogging. Initially, it was on Aiko’s YouTube channel where she had closed in on Onemig — as the two looked back on a promising romance that got “nipped in the bud.”
In principle, it’s where the couple picked up from where they left off. They are far more mature with a broader sense of understanding about life in general, and hold no promises to each other. “We’re living every moment of it.”
One beautiful thing that has has come out of their romantic sequel is, thanks to Aiko, Onemig’s discovery that he can also vlog with as much ease and passion.
A self-confessed introvert, she is his mentor acting as a “teleprompter” and cuing him what topics to tackle, spiels to deliver and lines to wrap it all up to ensure a smooth, seamless flow.
In fairness, Aiko is generous with heaping compliments on how Onemig is able to inject humor even in an otherwise asinine exchange of thoughts. “Kaya mo naman pala, eh (Oh, you can do it),” is Aiko’s morale-boosting remark.
More than the conscious effort that he puts in, Onemig’s biggest self-realization comes from overcoming his timid, laid-back demeanor.
“Yung hiya ko noon ang dahilan kung bakit hindi tayo nagkatuluyan (My timidity then is the reason why we didn’t end up together)! I know better this time,” he said.
The postscript to this swoon-worthy love story that this writer cannot help but categorically state is that between the two, Onemig is the one more fiercely head over heels in love.
He shares his misgivings if he’s indeed the actress-public servant’s end game. Only when assured many times over does Onemig clam up.
Only then do I realize that he nears 50, Onemig is still — oh, boy — such a boy!