Aiko Melendez appeared to have joined the fray involving It’s Showtime host Kim Chiu and Ryzza Mae Dizon.

In a recent post, Melendez seemed to have taken a jab at Chiu without naming names.

“Never joke around about anyone’s physical appearance. Beauty has always been relative. What one person finds beautiful may be different for someone else. But one thing that never goes out of style is having a kind heart. 

Be the reason someone smiles today, not the reason they lose confidence. Kindness will always be the most beautiful thing a person can wear,” the Quezon City councilor wrote on her Facebook account.

It came right on the heels of Chiu’s now-infamous joke on It’s Showtime when she screamed “Ryzza Mae” after seeing co-host Jugs Jugueta in a Lotus Feet costume.

This columnist believes there’s more to Melendez’s subtle defense of Dizon against Chiu’s tactless shenanigans and tasteless joke. It’s her way of siding with Ogie Diaz, who is her best friend and nanay-nanayan (mother figure) in showbiz.

Intriguingly, Melendez’s statement came right on the heels of Diaz’s revelation about his awkward encounter with Chiu, who allegedly told the vlogger-talent manager, “Buti pinapasok ka dito (Good thing they let you in).”

It happened when Diaz chanced upon Chiu in the hallway outside the It’s Showtime dressing room.

Joey Reyes, Joel Lamangan cite JM Ibarra as standout newbie

Among the relatively new actors, directors Joey Reyes and Joel Lamangan unanimously chose JM Ibarra as the best among today’s newcomers.

In the latest episode of Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, Boy Abunda asked the two veteran directors who, for them, stood out among today’s new actors.

“JM Ibarra. Napanood ko siya sa Child No. 82 sa Cinemalaya, at saka napanood ko siya sa Almost Us na dinirek ni Dan Villegas. Kung babalik ako sa pelikula at may gagawin akong pelikula, sana mabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na i-direct si JM Ibarra (I saw him in Child No. 82 at Cinemalaya, and then I watched him in Almost Us, which was directed by Dan Villegas. If I return to making films, I hope I’ll be given the chance to direct JM Ibarra),” Reyes said. 

Lamangan also gave Ibarra’s acting his thumbs-up after watching him perform on screen.

“Napanood ko rin ang batang ’yan. Napakahusay niya. Gusto kong ma-direct din siya (I’ve also seen that young actor. He’s very good. I’d also like to direct him,” he said.

Currently, Ibarra and his screen partner can be seen in Love Is Never Gone, starring Ivana Alawi and Joshua Garcia. They are also appearing in iWant’s vertical rom-com, Will You Fake Marry Me.

‘Someone, Someday’ to air on primetime 

ABS-CBN has released the special teaser highlighting Asia’s Superstar Kathryn Bernardo in the highly anticipated series Someone, Someday, which premieres on primetime on 27 July.

Kathryn takes on another exciting role as she portrays an empowered female character in the modern, feel-good, and progressive series with heart.

The teaser gives viewers a glimpse of Kathryn’s character as the best ate, boss, and best friend. It also offers a sneak peek into her character’s dynamics with co-stars James Reid and Maja Salvador.

The series also stars Dimples Romana, Rowell Santiago, Rita Avila, McCoy De Leon, Daniela Stranner and introduces Migs Casimiro.

Catch Someone, Someday on primetime beginning 27 July on ALLTV2, TV5, A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live on YouTube and Facebook, and TFC. It will also be available on iWant and will stream first on Netflix.