NEWSFLASH

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AIKO: SHOWBIZ BAPTISM BUT NO BREASTFEEDING

Manila, June 18, 1998 - Expectant single parents Jomari Yllana and Aiko Melendez are all neck- deep in preparations for their first child, due by the last week of September.

The showbiz pair will go to Lamaze classes, as they prefer the baby to be born the natural way. They have purposely not wanted to know the gender of their child, although Jomari is vocal about preferring a girl.

If the baby is a boy, he will be named Jaime Rafael, after Aiko's late father, actor Jimmy Melendez. They are still searching for a girl's name, but Jomari said he will leave that to Aiko.

The list of the child's baptismal sponsors reads like a who's who in Philippine entertainment: director Marilou Abaya, Kris Aquino, Gelli de Belen, Carmina Villaroel, Ogie Alcasid, Michael V., Eric Quizon and director Maryo de los Reyes.

Kris Aquino allegedly tried to convince Aiko to breastfeed for even a month, but Aiko reportedly turned down the idea because of fear that breastfeeding might affect the shape of her breasts.