Melai Cantiveros

Contents

Melisa "Melai" Bunayog Cantiveros-Francisco[1] (Tagalog: [ˈmɛlaɪ kantɪˈvɛɾɔs]; 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 on April 6, 1988 in General Santos, Philippines, to Dionisio and Virginia Cantiveros. She is the third of four siblings, and the only daughter in her family. She finished at Mindanao State University–General Santos,[2] where she was an activist and member of a social democratic party.

She married her Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up housemate Jason Francisco on December 9, 2013, as she carried their first child,[3] a girl born in 2014. On July 26, 2016, she and Francisco confirmed their separation through their daughter's Instagram.[4] The couple later reconciled, with Cantiveros having her second child with Francisco, a girl born in 2017.[5][6] The couple now have the YouTube channel "Melason Family".[7]

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.[8]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2009–2010Pinoy Big Brother: Double UpHerself / HousemateBig Winner
2010Kokey at AkoJosa Reyes
Melason In LoveHerself
Melason: In Da City
Melason: Promdi Heart
Precious Hearts Romances Presents: ImpostorDevina "Devin" Ventura
Maalaala Mo KayaPanggaEpisode: "Toy Car"
WansapanataymInday VargasEpisode: "Inday Bote"
2010–2013; 2015–presentASAPHerself / Co-host / Performer
2010–2015Banana SundaeHerself / Various Characters
2010ShowtimeHerself / Guest Judge
MatanglawinHerself / Guest Co-host
2011Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Mana PoBrandi Dela Paz
Maalaala Mo KayaYoung Carol AraosEpisode: "Birth Certificate"
100 Days to HeavenGirlie
2011–2013I Dare YouHerself / Co-host
2011WansapanataymEpisode: "Wan Tru Lav"
2011–2016Kris TVHerself / Co-hostRecurring
2011–2012Happy Yipee Yehey!
2012Pinoy Big Brother: UnlimitedHerself — Houseguest
WansapanataymBituinEpisode: "Dollhouse"
Maalaala Mo KayaNormaEpisode: "Baunan"
2013WansapanataymPepayEpisode: "Number One Father & Son
Be Careful With My HeartGemma
Apoy sa DagatPaprika Mendoza
2013–2014HonestoCleopatra Batungbakal
2014Ikaw LamangMonica MiravelezGuest role
Maalaala Mo KayaNonetteEpisode: "Jeep"
Ipaglaban Mo!ElenaEpisode: "Nang Dahil Sa Utang"
WansapanataymDoryEpisode: "Perfecto"
Two WivesCarla
Umagang Kay GandaHerself / Co-host
2015Your Face Sounds FamiliarHerselfGrand Winner (season 1) Co-Host (season 2)[9]
WansapanataymBeverlyEpisode: "Noche Buena Gang"
Give Love on ChristmasRubyEpisode: "Exchange Gift"
2016We Will SurviveMa. Cecilia "Maricel" Rubio[10]
2016–2026Magandang BuhayHerself / Co-host[11]
2018–2019Pinoy Big Brother: Otso
2020–2021Pinoy Big Brother: Connect
2021–2022Pinoy Big Brother: Kumunity Season 10
2022The Chosen One: Soap OperaHost / Jane Crame[12]
2023PIEnaloHerself / Co-host[13]
Ur Da BossHerself / Main Host
It's Your Lucky DayHerself / Co-host
2024TV PatrolHerself / Guest Star Patroller[14]
2025Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab EditionHerself / Co-host
Pilipinas Got Talent season 7
Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesSource
2010I DoMarian
2011The Adventures of Pureza, Queen of the RilesPureza[15]
2012Larong BataMs. De Regla
2012SisterakasJanet
2014Past TenseKelly
2014Shake, Rattle & Roll XVJulieSegment: "Ahas"
2015You're Still The OneMeanne
2015Sekyu[16]
2015The PrenupChoosy Cayabyab
2018DOTGA: Da One That Ghost AwayAnnabelleSpecial participation
2018Mary, Marry MeCarey
2019Familia BlondinaDemonyita Melai
2021Momshies! Ang Soul Mo'y AkinMylene
The ExorsisJessa Mae
2022The EntitledYaya Monina
2023Ma'am Chief: Shakedown in SeoulPolice Exec. Msgt. Criselda Kaptan
2025My Love Will Make You DisappearCookieSounds only

Webcast

YearTitleNote(s)Ref.
2024–presentKuan on One4 seasons; 54 episodes[17]

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations received by Melai Cantiveros
Award[18]Year[19]CategoryNominee / WorkResultRef.
ASAP POP Viewers' Choice Awards2010Pop Fans ClubMelasonWon[20]
2011Pop Movie LoveteamThe Adventures of Pureza: Queen of the RilesNominated[21]
Asia Artist Awards2023Best Actor AwardMa'am Chief: Shakedown in SeoulWon[22][23]
Asian Television Awards2024Best Quiz or Game Show HostUr Da BossNominated[24]
Cosmopolitan Awards2010Fun Fearless WomenHerselfWon[25]
Global Awards for Outstanding Executives2022Events Host & Media InfluencerHerselfWon[26]
International Emmy Awards2011Best TelenovelaImpostorNominated[27][28]
PMPC Star Awards for Movies2011New Movie Actress of the YearI DoNominated[29]
PMPC Star Awards for Television2025Best Reality Show HostPinoy Big Brother: Gen 11Won[30]
2023Best Celebrity Talk Show HostMagandang BuhayWon[31]
2021Nominated[32]
2019Nominated[33]
2018Nominated[34]
2017Nominated[35]
2016Nominated[36]
2014Best Reality Show HostI Dare YouNominated[37]
2010New Female TV PersonalityMelasonNominated[38]

References

  1. 1.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.
  2. 2."Melai". Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up. ABS-CBN Corporation. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  3. 3."Melai Confirms Pregnancy, will Marry Jason". ABS-CBN News. September 8, 2013. Archived from the original on October 6, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  4. 4."Melason No More: Jason Confirms Split with Melai". ABS-CBN News. July 27, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  5. 5.Abanilla, Clarizel (April 10, 2017). "LOOK: Melai gives birth to second baby". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  6. 6.Pasajol, Anne (April 2, 2024). "On April Fools' Day, Melai Cantiveros recalls denial of feelings for Jason Francisco". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  7. 7.Mariano, Dianne (September 8, 2023). "Fun family moments of Melai Cantiveros, Jason Francisco with kids Mela and Stela that will brighten your day". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  8. 8."MELAI NAMED FIRST "YOUR FACE SOUNDS FAMILIAR" GRAND WINNER". ABS-CBN Careers. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  9. 9.Cruz, Marinel R. (June 10, 2015). "'Face' win Embarrasses Melai". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  10. 10.Red, Isah V. (February 28, 2016). "'We Will Survive' Tonight". Simply Red. Manila Standard. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  11. 11.Jimenez, Joyce (April 12, 2016). "Melai, Karla, Jolina to Host Replacement Show for 'Kris TV'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  12. 12.Cruz, Marinel (October 5, 2022). "Melai Cantiveros' biggest challenge as a TV host". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  13. 13."Melai Cantiveros, Samantha Bernardo join forces to host PIE Channel's game show". ABS-CBN News. February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  14. 14."WATCH: Melai Cantiveros, nagbabalik bilang Star Patroller sa TV Patrol". ABS-CBN Entertainment. July 3, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  15. 15."The Director's Hand in Adventures of Pureza". GMA News. July 30, 2011. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  16. 16.San Diego Jr., Bayani (February 3, 2016). "Tormentor/Mentor with a Cause". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
  17. 17."Melai hosts first mainstream Bisaya talk show 'Kuan on One'". The Freeman. June 27, 2024. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  18. 18.Awards, festivals, honors and other miscellaneous organizations are listed in alphabetical order.
  19. 19.Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.
  20. 20."Sarah Geronimo wins in five categories of the 6th ASAP Pop Viewers Choice Awards". PEP.ph. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  21. 21."Sarah Geronimo, Kapamilya stars honored at the 2011 ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice Awards". PEP.ph. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  22. 22.이준호·뉴진스·세븐틴·스키즈·임영웅, AAA '대상'..뉴진스 6관왕 '최다'[2023 AAA][종합] [Lee Junho, NewJeans, Seventeen, SKZ, Lim Young-woong, AAA 'Grand Prize'.. NewJeans 6 Champions 'Most' [2023 AAA] [Comprehensive]]. Star News (in Korean). December 14, 2023. Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  23. 23.Iglesias, Iza (December 14, 2023). "Melai Cantiveros wins Best Actor at AAA 2023". The Manila Times. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  24. 24.Bote, Jia (November 13, 2023). "Filipino stars, shows among 28th Asian TV Awards nominees". The Daily Tribune. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  25. 25."Melai Cantiveros hailed as one of Cosmopolitan's Fun Fearless Females". PEP.ph. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  26. 26.C., Toff. "LOOK: Melai Cantiveros receives award as host and media influencer | PUSH.COM.PH". ABS-CBN Push. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023.
  27. 27."Melai Cantiveros on Emmy nomination of Impostor: "Yung Emmy Awards, pangmayaman daw yun, e. Yung sa abroad daw yun, e."". PEP.ph. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  28. 28."Kapamilya drama gets Emmy nomination". www.philstar.com. October 6, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  29. 29."Sa 'Yo Lamang and Sigwa lead nominations at the 27th Star Awards for Movies". PEP.ph. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  30. 30.Mallorca, Hannah (March 25, 2025). "PMPC Star Awards for TV: 'Batang Quiapo,' Piolo Pascual, Kim Chiu among winners". Entertainment Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 25, 2025.
  31. 31."Jodi, JM lead Kapamilya winners in PMPC Star Awards for TV". ABS-CBN News. January 29, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  32. 32."34th Star Awards for Television nominees bared". PEP.ph. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  33. 33.Villano, Alexa (October 14, 2019). "LIST: Winners, PMPC Star Awards for Television 2019". RAPPLER. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  34. 34."32nd Star Awards for TV winners revealed; ASAP joins MMK, Eat Bulaga, Bubble Gang in Hall of Fame". PEP.ph. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  35. 35."31st Star Awards for TV nominees revealed; JoshLia, JakBie to receive special awards". PEP.ph. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  36. 36.Villano, Alexa (October 24, 2016). "LIST: Winners, PMPC Star Awards 2016 – television". RAPPLER. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  37. 37."28th PMPC Star Awards for TV And the winners are..." www.philstar.com. November 25, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  38. 38."24th Star Awards for Television nominees bared". PEP.ph. Retrieved October 24, 2023.