Actress and Quezon City councilor Aiko Melendez has ended her professional partnership with talent manager Ogie Diaz after more than three years of working together.
Aiko broke the news in a Facebook post on Wednesday, August 12, saying the two had reached a point where they needed to take different directions in business.
"My manager Ogie Diaz and I have reached a crossroads in our business life, and we have chosen to take separate roads," she wrote.
Ogie is a longtime entertainment columnist who has since become one of the country's most-followed showbiz content creators through his vlog. He also handles several other celebrities.
Aiko did not say what led to the decision, but she made it clear that nothing has changed between them outside of work.
"Though one thing remains unchanged, we are still good friends," she said.
She added that she treasures what the two of them built over the years.
"I deeply value the friendship we have built through the years," she said.
"Always grateful Ogie, for the friendship, trust, and memories we've shared and will share. Mahal pa din kita alam mo yan mader," she added.
Even so, the comments section of her post quickly turned to politics, with many netizens guessing that the two parted ways because they do not see eye to eye on political matters.
Aiko has been a vocal supporter of Vice President Sara Duterte and backed the Marcos-Duterte tandem in the 2022 elections.
Ogie, on the other hand, is identified with the Kakampink movement and actively campaigned for former vice president and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, along with her running mate, then senator Kiko Pangilinan, in the same polls.
"Minsan ang pulitika nakakasira ng pagkakaibigan, pero minsan maganda rin na tayuan mo kung ano ang pinaniniwalaan mo, hindi lang susunod ka kasi iyon ang gusto ng kaibigan mo," one netizen wrote, along with green heart emojis, a color widely associated with supporters of VP Sara.
Green hearts also filled the rest of Aiko's comments section.
"At least mga matured enough na sila. Walang batuhan ng echos sa social media, nirespeto nila ang bawat isa kung anong kulay meron sila sa politics," another commented.
Ogie has since addressed Aiko's decision on his vlog, Showbiz Update. He said the actress informed him through text that she was going to focus on her political career.
"Isa na rin 'yun. Magkaiba naman kami ng kulay sa pulitika ni Aiko. May mga bumibira sa kanya, bakit hindi kami magkasundo sa kulay niya. Ganoon din naman sa akin, bakit daw hindi kami magkasundo sa kulay ko. Dapat daw kakulay ko si Aiko, o kakulay ako ni Aiko. Ay, hindi po. Hindi naman po kami para pagtibagin ng kung ano ang kulay mo sa pulitika," Ogie said.
He also clarified that he never told Aiko to go against her own political beliefs.
"Basta ang importante, maayos kaming naghiwalay ni Aiko. Kahit itinext lang niya sa akin, eh okay lang din naman. So hinayaan ko na rin siya," he said.
Aiko has yet to announce a new manager, and Ogie said the actress will most likely take charge of her career moving forward. Still, he said his door stays open for her.
"Andito lang naman ako pag kailangan ako ni Aiko. 'Pag kailangan niya ng payo, 'pag kailangan niya ng balikat na iiyakan, andito lang naman ako. As always," Ogie said.
—By Paolo Lim