Melisa "Melai" Bunayog Cantiveros-Francisco (; 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, 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, a girl born in 2014. 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, a girl born in 2017. The couple now have the YouTube channel "Melason Family".
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.
Filmography
Television Year Title Role Notes 2009–2010 Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up Herself / Housemate Big Winner2010 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 Characters2010 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 Batungbakal2014 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-host2015 Your Face Sounds Familiar Herself Grand Winner (season 1)Co-Host (season 2) Wansapanataym Beverly Episode: "Noche Buena Gang" Give Love on Christmas Ruby Episode: "Exchange Gift" 2016 We Will Survive Ma. Cecilia "Maricel" Rubio 2016–2026 Magandang Buhay Herself / Co-host 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 2023 PIEnalo Herself / Co-host Ur Da Boss Herself / Main Host It's Your Lucky Day Herself / Co-host 2024 TV Patrol Herself / Guest Star Patroller 2025 Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab EditionHerself / Co-host Pilipinas Got Talent season 7 Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0
Film Year Title Role Notes Source 2010 I Do Marian 2011 The Adventures of Pureza, Queen of the Riles Pureza 2012 Larong Bata Ms. De Regla 2012 Sisterakas Janet2014 Past Tense Kelly 2014 Shake, Rattle & Roll XV Julie Segment: "Ahas" 2015 You're Still The One Meanne 2015 Sekyu 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 2021Momshies! 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
Webcast YearTitleNote(s)2024–presentKuan on One4 seasons; 54 episodes
Awards and nominations + Award Year Category Nominee / Work Result ASAP POP Viewers' Choice Awards2010Pop Fans ClubMelason2011Pop Movie LoveteamThe Adventures of Pureza: Queen of the RilesAsia Artist Awards2023Best Actor AwardMa'am Chief: Shakedown in SeoulAsian Television Awards2024Best Quiz or Game Show HostUr Da BossCosmopolitan Awards2010Fun Fearless WomenHerselfGlobal Awards for Outstanding Executives2022Events Host & Media InfluencerHerselfInternational Emmy Awards2011Best TelenovelaImpostorPMPC Star Awards for Movies2011New Movie Actress of the YearI DoPMPC Star Awards for Television2025Best Reality Show HostPinoy Big Brother: Gen 112023Best Celebrity Talk Show HostMagandang Buhay202120192018201720162014Best Reality Show HostI Dare You2010New Female TV PersonalityMelason
Notes
References
External links