Melai Cantiveros | |
|---|---|
 Cantiveros in 2014 | |
| Born | Melisa Bunayog Cantiveros (1988-04-06)April 6, 1988 (age 37) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Agent | Star Magic (2010–present) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Melisa Bunayog Cantiveros[a] (Tagalog:[ˈmɛlaɪkantɪˈbɛɾɔs]; born April 6, 1988) is aFilipino comedian, television personality and actress. She rose to fame in 2009, after winningPinoy Big Brother: Double Up. In 2015, she won the first season of theFilipino version ofYour Face Sounds Familiar. She is currently one ofABS-CBN's contract talents and one of the host of thenetworks longest running morning show,Magandang Buhay. Her accolades include anAsia Artist Award, twoPMPC Star Awards for Television, including a nomination for anAsian Television Award.
Melisa Bunayog Cantiveros was born inGeneral Santos, Philippines, to Dionisio and Virginia Cantiveros. She is the third of four siblings, and the only daughter. She finished atMindanao State University–General Santos,[1] where she was anactivist and member of asocial democratic party.
She married her fellowPinoy Big Brother: Double Up housemateJason Francisco on December 9, 2013, as she carried their first child,[2] Amelia "Mela" Lucille, born in April 2014 in her nativeGeneral Santos.[3] On July 26, 2016, she and Francisco confirmed their separation through their daughter'sInstagram.[4] The couple later reconciled, with Cantiveros having her second child with Francisco, Stela Rosalind, in April 2017.[5][6] The couple now have theYouTube channel "Melason Family".[7]
In October 2009, Cantiveros entered theBig 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 likeThe Buzz,SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon, andEntertainment Live. She was also invited to variety shows such asASAP ROCKS. She and her real life partner,Jason Francisco, starred in a reality show spin off entitledMelason In Love.
Cantiveros was also cast in the daytime dramaImpostor. She also landed a main role in the fantaserye show,Kokey @ Ako. She also played a main role inMaalaala Mo Kaya as a maid named Pangga. She became one of the hosts on the now defunct noon time showHappy, Yipee, Yehey. She also played a main role as Brandy De la Paz inPrecious Hearts Romances Presents:Mana Po before the show ended in late March.
In February 2015, Cantiveros became the winner ofYour Face Sounds Familiar.[8]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–2010 | Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up | Herself / Housemate | Big Winner | |
| 2010 | Kokey at Ako | Josa Reyes | ||
| Melason In Love | 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 | Banana Sundae | Herself / Various Characters | ||
| 2010 | Showtime | Herself / Guest Judge | ||
| Matanglawin | Herself / Guest Co-host | |||
| 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 | I Dare You | Herself / Co-host | ||
| 2011 | Wansapanataym | Episode: "Wan Tru Lav" | ||
| 2011–2016 | Kris TV | Herself / Co-host | Recurring | |
| 2011–2012 | Happy Yipee Yehey! | |||
| 2012 | Pinoy Big Brother: Unlimited | Herself — Houseguest | ||
| Wansapanataym | Bituin | Episode: "Dollhouse" | ||
| Maalaala Mo Kaya | Norma | Episode: "Baunan" | ||
| 2013 | Wansapanataym | Pepay | Episode: "Number One Father & Son | |
| Be Careful With My Heart | Gemma | |||
| Apoy sa Dagat | Paprika Mendoza | |||
| 2013–2014 | Honesto | Cleopatra Batungbakal | ||
| 2014 | Ikaw Lamang | 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 | |||
| 2015 | Your Face Sounds Familiar | Herself | Grand Winner (season 1) Co-Host (season 2) | [9] |
| Wansapanataym | Beverly | Episode: "Noche Buena Gang" | ||
| Give Love on Christmas | Ruby | Episode: "Exchange Gift" | ||
| 2016 | We Will Survive | Ma. Cecilia "Maricel" Rubio | [10] | |
| 2016–present | Magandang Buhay | Herself / Co-host | [11] | |
| 2018–2019 | Pinoy Big Brother: Otso | |||
| 2020–2021 | Pinoy Big Brother: Connect | |||
| 2021–2022 | Pinoy Big Brother: Kumunity Season 10 | |||
| 2022 | The Chosen One: Soap Opera | Host / Jane Crame | [12] | |
| 2023 | PIEnalo | Herself / Co-host | [13] | |
| Ur Da Boss | Herself / Main Host | |||
| It's Your Lucky Day | Herself / Co-host | |||
| 2024 | TV Patrol | Herself / Guest Star Patroller | [14] | |
| 2025 | Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition | Herself / Co-host | ||
| Pilipinas Got Talent season 7 | ||||
| Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0 |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | I Do | Marian | ||
| 2011 | The Adventures of Pureza, Queen of the Riles | Pureza | [15] | |
| 2012 | Larong Bata | Ms. De Regla | ||
| 2012 | Sisterakas | Janet | ||
| 2014 | Past Tense | Kelly | ||
| 2014 | Shake, Rattle & Roll XV | Julie | Segment: "Ahas" | |
| 2015 | You're Still The One | Meanne | ||
| 2015 | Sekyu | [16] | ||
| 2015 | The Prenup | Choosy Cayabyab | ||
| 2018 | DOTGA: Da One That Ghost Away | Annabelle | Special participation | |
| 2018 | Mary, Marry Me | Carey | ||
| 2019 | Familia Blondina | Demonyita Melai | ||
| 2021 | Momshies! Ang Soul Mo'y Akin | 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 |
| Year | Title | Note(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–present | Kuan on One | 3 seasons; 41 episodes | [17] |
| Preceded by | Pinoy Big Brother Big Winner 2009–2010 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Pinoy Big Brother Regular Season Big Winner 2009–2010 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by First | Your Face Sounds Familiar (Philippine TV series) Winner 2015 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by First | Your Face Sounds Familiar (Philippine TV series) Regular Season Winner March 2015–June 2015 | Succeeded by |
