Melai Cantiveros
{{short description|Filipino comedian and television personality (born 1988)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Melai Cantiveros-Francisco
| image = Shake, Rattle and Roll XV Official Trailer - Melai Cantiveros.jpg
| caption = Cantiveros in 2014
| birth_name = Melisa Bunayog Cantiveros
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|4|6}}
| birth_place = General Santos, South Cotabato, Philippines
| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|comedian|host}}
| yearsactive = 2009–present
| agent = Star Magic (2010–present)
| spouse = {{marriage|Jason Francisco|2013}}
| children = 2
}}
Melisa Bunayog Cantiveros-Francisco{{efn|In this Philippine name for married women, the birth middle name or maternal family name is Bunayog, the birth surname or paternal family name is Cantiveros, and the marital name is Francisco.}} ({{IPA|tl|ˈmɛlaɪ kantɪˈbɛɾɔs|lang}}; born April 6, 1988) is a Filipino comedian, television personality and actress. She rose to fame in 2009, after winning Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up. In 2015, she won the first season of the Filipino version of Your Face Sounds Familiar. She is currently one of ABS-CBN's contract talents and one of the host of the networks longest running morning show, Magandang Buhay. Her accolades include an Asia Artist Award, two PMPC Star Awards for Television, including a nomination for an Asian Television Award.
Personal life
Melisa Bunayog Cantiveros was born in General Santos, Philippines, to Dionisio and Virginia Cantiveros. She is the third of four siblings, and the only daughter. She finished at Mindanao State University–General Santos, where she was an activist and member of a social democratic party.
She married Jason Francisco on December 9, 2013 as she carried their first child, Amelia “Mela” Lucille, born in April 2014 in General Santos. On July 26, 2016, she and Francisco confirmed their separation through their daughter’s Instagram. The couple later reconciled, with Cantiveros having her second child with Francisco, Stela Rosalind, in April 2017.{{cite news |last1=Abanilla |first1=Clarizel |title=LOOK: Melai gives birth to second baby |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/221552/look-melai-gives-birth-to-second-baby |access-date=June 29, 2020 |work=INQUIRER.net |date=April 10, 2017}}{{cite news |last1= Pasajol|first1=Anne |title=On April Fools' Day, Melai Cantiveros recalls denial of feelings for Jason Francisco |url= https://entertainment.inquirer.net/549611/on-april-fools-day-melai-cantiveros-recalls-denial-of-feelings-for-jason-francisco|accessdate=April 7, 2024 |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=April 2, 2024}} The couple now have the YouTube channel “Melason Family.”{{cite news |last1= Mariano |first1= Dianne |title=Fun family moments of Melai Cantiveros, Jason Francisco with kids Mela and Stela that will brighten your day|url= https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/celebritylife/family/18151/fun-family-moments-of-melai-cantiveros-jason-francisco-with-kids-mela-and-stela-that-will-brighten-your-day/photo/245545/south-korea|accessdate=April 7, 2024 |publisher=GMA Integrated News |date=September 8, 2023}}
Career
In October 2009, Cantiveros entered the Big Brother house along with 25 other housemates. After 133 days, she was able to garner enough votes to reach the final episode wherein she won the competition by getting 1,226,675 votes or 32.08% of the entire votes.
In February 2010, Cantiveros did guesting in several talk shows like The Buzz, SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon, and Entertainment Live. She was also invited to variety shows such as ASAP ROCKS. She and her real life partner, Jason Francisco, starred in a reality show spin off entitled Melason In Love.
Cantiveros was also cast in the daytime drama Impostor. She also landed a main role in the fantaserye show, Kokey @ Ako. She also played a main role in Maalaala Mo Kaya as a maid named Pangga. She became one of the hosts on the now defunct noon time show Happy, Yipee, Yehey. She also played a main role as Brandy De la Paz in Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Mana Po before the show ended in late March.
In February 2015, Cantiveros became the winner of Your Face Sounds Familiar. {{Cite news |title=MELAI NAMED FIRST "YOUR FACE SOUNDS FAMILIAR” GRAND WINNER |url=https://careers.abs-cbn.com/updates/6325/MELAI-NAMED-FIRST-ldquo;YOUR-FACE-SOUNDS-FAMILIAR |url-status=live |access-date=19 March 2025 |work=ABS-CBN Careers}}
Filmography
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
|
! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes ! class="unsortable" |{{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |
| 2009–2010
| Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up | Herself / Housemate | Big Winner | |
| rowspan="7"|2010
| Josa Reyes | | |
| Melason In Love
| rowspan="3" | Herself | | |
| Melason: In Da City
| | |
| Melason: Promdi Heart
| | |
| Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Impostor
| Devina "Devin" Ventura | | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya
| Pangga | Episode: "Toy Car" | |
| Wansapanataym
| Inday Vargas | Episode: "Inday Bote" | |
| 2010–2013; 2015–present | ASAP | Herself / Co-host / Performer | | |
| 2010–2015
| Herself / Various Characters | | |
| rowspan="2"|2010
| Showtime | Herself / Guest Judge | | |
| Matanglawin
| Herself / Guest Co-host | | |
| rowspan="3"|2011
| Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Mana Po | Brandi Dela Paz | | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya
| Young Carol Araos | Episode: "Birth Certificate" | |
| 100 Days to Heaven
| Girlie | | |
| 2011–2013
| Herself / Co-host | | |
| 2011
| Wansapanataym | | Episode: "Wan Tru Lav" | |
| 2011–2016
| Kris TV | rowspan="2" | Herself / Co-host | Recurring | |
| 2011–2012
| | |
| rowspan="3"|2012
| Pinoy Big Brother: Unlimited | Herself — Houseguest | | |
| Wansapanataym
| Bituin | Episode: "Dollhouse" | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya
| Norma | Episode: "Baunan" | |
| rowspan="3"|2013
| Wansapanataym | Pepay | Episode: "Number One Father & Son | |
| Be Careful With My Heart
| Gemma | | |
| Apoy sa Dagat
| Paprika Mendoza | | |
| 2013–2014
| Honesto | Cleopatra Batungbakal | | |
| rowspan="6"|2014
| Monica Miravelez | Guest role | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya
| Nonette | Episode: "Jeep" | |
| Ipaglaban Mo!
| Elena | Episode: "Nang Dahil Sa Utang" | |
| Wansapanataym
| Dory | Episode: "Perfecto" | |
| Two Wives
| Carla | | |
| Umagang Kay Ganda
| Herself / Co-host | | |
| rowspan="3"|2015
| Herself |
| Wansapanataym
| Beverly | Episode: "Noche Buena Gang" | |
| Give Love on Christmas
| Ruby | Episode: "Exchange Gift" | |
| 2016
| Ma. Cecilia "Maricel" Rubio | |
| 2016–present
| rowspan=4 | Herself / Co-host | |
| 2018–2019
| | |
| 2020–2021
| | |
| 2021–2022
| Pinoy Big Brother: Kumunity Season 10 | | |
| 2022
| The Chosen One: Soap Opera | Host / Jane Crame | |
| rowspan="3"|2023
| PIEnalo | Herself / Co-host | |
| Ur Da Boss
| Herself / Main Host | | |
| It's Your Lucky Day
| Herself / Co-host | | |
| 2024
| Herself / Guest Star Patroller | |
| rowspan="2"|2025
| Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition | rowspan="2"|Herself / Co-host | | |
| Pilipinas Got Talent season 7
| | |
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
|
! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes ! class="unsortable" | Source |
|
| 2010 | I Do | Marian | | |
| 2011
| The Adventures of Pureza, Queen of the Riles | Pureza | |
| 2012
| Larong Bata | Ms. De Regla | | |
| 2012
| Janet | | |
| 2014
| Kelly | | |
| 2014
| Julie | Segment: “Ahas” | |
| 2015
| Meanne | | |
| 2015
| Sekyu | | |
| 2015
| Choosy Cayabyab | | |
| 2018
| DOTGA: Da One That Ghost Away | Annabelle | Special participation | |
| 2018
| Carey | | |
| rowspan="2"| 2021
| Mylene | | |
| The Exorsis
| Jessa Mae | | |
| 2022
| The Entitled | Yaya Monina | | |
| 2023
| Ma'am Chief: Shakedown in Seoul | Police Exec. Msgt. Criselda Kaptan | | |
| 2025
| My Love Will Make You Disappear | Cookie | Sounds only | |
= Webcast =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Title !Network ! scope="col" |Note(s) ! scope="col" |{{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
| 2024
|27 episodes |
Awards and nominations
Notes
{{Reflist|group="note"}}
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
{{cite web | url = http://doubleup.pinoybigbrother.com/tabid/59/item/14/Inday.aspx | title = Melai | publisher=ABS-CBN Corporation |work=Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up | access-date = October 5, 2016 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120707122454/http://doubleup.pinoybigbrother.com/tabid/59/item/14/Inday.aspx | archive-date = July 7, 2012 | df = mdy-all }}
{{cite news | url = http://thestandard.com.ph/showbitz/simply-red-by-isah-v-red/200464/-we-will-survive-tonight.html | title = 'We Will Survive' Tonight | publisher = Manila Standard | author = Red, Isah V. |work=Simply Red | date = February 28, 2016 | access-date = October 5, 2016}}
}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|3706447}}
{{S-start}}
{{Succession box
| title = Pinoy Big Brother
Big Winner
| years = 2009–2010
| before = Ejay Falcon
| after ={{Flagicon|Australia}} James Reid
}}
{{Succession box
| title = Pinoy Big Brother Regular Season
Big Winner
| years = 2009–2010
| before = Beatriz Saw
| after = Slater Young
}}
{{Succession box
| title = Your Face Sounds Familiar (Philippine TV series)
Winner
| years = 2015
| before = First
| after = Denise Laurel
}}
{{Succession box
| title = Your Face Sounds Familiar (Philippine TV series) Regular Season
Winner
| years = March 2015–June 2015
| before = First
| after = Denise Laurel
}}
{{end}}
{{Pinoy Big Brother}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cantiveros, Melisa}}
Category:People from General Santos
Category:Filipino film actresses
Category:Filipino Roman Catholics
Category:Filipino television actresses
Category:Filipino women comedians
Category:ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs people
Category:Filipino sketch comedians
Category:Pinoy Big Brother winners
Category:Your Face Sounds Familiar (Philippine TV series) winners