Melai Cantiveros-Francisco gets hilariously real about cosmetic surgery, and why she doesn't want to go under the knife, even in the interest of beauty and facial enhancement.
For the media launch of her upcoming talk show Kuan-on-One, which premiered last June 25, 2024, Melai was asked by the press regarding her stance on cosmetic enhancements. "Ako talaga, inofferan na ako ni Dra. Vicki Belo na talaga, yung mukha ko daw maging Kristine Hermosa," she says, causing an uproar of laughter from the guests in attendance. The 36-year-old comedian further shared that she was offered to have her nose done. "Ilong daw—magpa kwan [gawa] daw ako ng ilong, e sobrang takot ako sa injection... Ang pinakakinatatakot ko, e, baka hindi ako makahinga," she expressed.
Melai Affirms Her Confidence Regarding Her Appearance
Although Melai never minds being the butt of her jokes and people playfully making fun of her looks, she is still her own biggest supporter. "Actually, sinasabi ko naman din [panglalait sa sarili], pero pag ako naman [pagtingin ko] sa sarili ko sa salamin, nagagandahan naman ako sa sarili ko."
Feeling secure and empowered in her own skin, she proudly claims, "Okay na ako sa mukha ko e. Nung nakikita ko yung sarili ko sa salamin nung bata pa ako, okay na ako."
Melai asserts that she is content with facial cleaning, rejuvenating, and whitening treatments. "Hindi na ako para pa mag... siguro [okay na] yung mga pimples na lang, at tsaka yung mga skin rejuvenating [treatments]." She further expounds: "Yung kailangan i-kwan [gawa] ni Dra. Vicki Belo, yung i-e-angel [whitening laser] niya. So, doon ako talaga nagpapaganda tas yung mga whitening."
She reiterates, "Pero yung mga ilong [at] mga ngipin [ko, okay na]." Melai said that she frequently visits her dentist, Dr. Mark Steve from Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC). "Pag-scan [nila] ng ngipin ko, naka-ganun lang yung ngipin ko," she describes, making a funny face with her mouth wide open. During one of her consultations, Melai narrated how her dentist once recommended to fixed her gapped tooth. "Kasi yung mga ngipin ko pala tumutubo kung saan-saan tapos different sizes," she explained. "Hindi na ako [pumayag], kasi daw, three years akong parang lugaw lang nang lugaw dahil para aayusin daw yung ngipin ko." Nonetheless, reaffirms that she's content with her appearance. "Okay na ako e... okay na ako para makain ko [pa] yung pagkain ko."
One of the attendees then points out how Melai's diastema or gapped teeth is similar to Madonna's, the Hollywood Queen of Pop. Naturally, true to her innate sense of humor, Melai went along with the comment, remarking: "Yes! Pero ipin lang."
Melai on Delivering Her Jokes With Sensitivity
As a comedian in this day and age, Melai was commended for delivering her jokes with sensitivity. When she declined getting cosmetic enhancements done out of fear that her doctors might have to go through hours of studying again, the press noted how that would've gone differently had it not been Melai who said it. They then asked if Melai had ever offended anyone who was at the receiving end of her jokes.
Melai immediately said yes, citing an example from when they filmed Ma'am Chief: Shakedown in Seoul, South Korea.
"Tapos siyempre, hindi ako mukhang artista e, sa kanya sigurong paningin... ang alam ko pa lang na Korean words noon 'annyeonghaseyo' [greeting], kamsahamnida [thank you], basta yun, dalawa lang."Although the homeowner lost his temper, the Magandang Buhay host still proceeded to utter the only words in her South Korean vocabulary, causing him to feel even more upset. "Kinakalimutan ko lang kasi kinakalimutan ko lang din yung mga offencement ko e," she laughs.
"So, parang baka meron din dito [sa Philippines], kinakalimutan ko lang din pero marami din yan magagalit sa akin,"
"[Nag-sorry] lang ako. Hindi naman ako yung parang magagalit din," she concluded.
*This story originally appeared on PEP.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Preview.ph editors.
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