A blissful and lasting marriage. A happy and healthy family. A thriving showbiz career.

Having all of these in her life, Melai Cantiveros-Francisco imparted in this exclusive interview with ABS-CBN broadcaster Bernadette Sembrano that she definitely has nothing to ask for. Thus, as her way of expressing her gratitude to Him, she resolves to devote her life to Him and follow where He is taking her.

However, did you know that prior to all the successes that she has been reaping in recent years, she initially didn’t plan to stay long in the industry? According to her, that’s because of the internal and external pressures that she felt, particularly in the early years of her career.

“Ayaw ko naman tumagal. Pero the more na ayaw ko nang tumagal, the more na may mga show na ibinibigay si Lord. Kaya sabi ko, ‘Ikaw talaga ‘to, Lord.’ Alangan namang hihindian ko e ‘yon naman ang blessing na binigay ni Lord na marangal na pera at makakatulong ka pa sa pamilya mo,” she told Bernadette.

Melai then went on to reminisce about her Pinoy Big Brother journey, which she described as an “accident” since she only auditioned out of fun and because of her friends’ prodding. She didn’t take the series of auditions seriously, assuming that she wouldn’t get accepted, so she was totally dumbfounded when she made it to the cut of the “Double-Up Edition.” So, she just went along and befriended her fellow Bisaya housemate, Paul Jake Castillo, with whom she aimed to ask for help one day, supposing that she would immediately get evicted on the first week.

But, as we all know, that didn’t happen, as Melai was hailed as the Big Winner of their batch, not to mention that her unexpected team-up with another housemate and now husband, Jason Francisco, boomed. She told herself to just stay in showbiz for two years, yet projects kept on coming to her in the succeeding years, which apparently made her realize that it is indeed the path that God has carved for her.

With all the victories that she has gained throughout her 15 years in business, Melai said that she owes everything to God, even the assistance that she has extended to other people who sought help from her. She just simply gets over her good deeds since she firmly believes that it’s not her who did it but God, and she reminds others to give thanks to Him and not to her because it’s through His grace that she has the capacity to help.

The same goes with the Best Actor Award she received from the 2023 Asian Artist Awards for her exemplary performance in the comedy action film “Ma’am Chief: Shakedown in Seoul,” as well as her appointment as Honorary Ambassador for Korea Family Tourism in the Philippines early this year, which she both didn’t see coming. She knew that it was God who orchestrated everything for it to transpire and made her cross paths with producer Happy Sy-Go and director Kring Kim, whom she regards as “hulog ng langit.”

Aside from being able to provide her family with a good life, she’s also thankful for the continuous blessings that keep coming to her, as the income she earns enables her to sustain the medical needs of her elderly parents.

As rumors about the alleged philandering of her husband, Jason Francisco, continue to beleaguer their marriage, Melai revealed that they actually just laugh at them since it has never been true. In fact, she’s actually lucky to have him since he’s the most faithful person she’s ever known, for he’s actually a home buddy whenever he doesn’t have work.

“Pero siyempre hindi ako pwedeng mag-isang salita dahil ngayon lang ‘to. Hindi natin alam baka pagdating ng panahon baka magloko siya. Pero for this moment of time, masasabi ko talaga na ang asawa ko is the best,” she declared, adding that Jason actually advises her not to defend him from naysayers anymore, as it could leave an impression to them that the allegations could be true. Thus, she just prays to God to continue guiding him so that he will not go astray, although she’s very confident in him.

When it comes to her supplications for their two adorable daughters, Mela and Stela, the comedienne-host imparted that it would be for them to endure the challenges that the world may inflict on them. She just wants them to grow up into good and cheerful people who are going to make positive contributions to the world and be able to fend for themselves someday.

“Bata pa lang sila matuto na sila para pagdating ng panahon, hindi na ikaw ang magtuturo, sila na mismo ang natuto sa buhay nila dahil na rin sa mga sarili nilang encounter sa buhay. Si Lord ang magpro-provide ng mga gusto nila at sila rin ang magtratrabaho ng gusto nila dahil pagtratrabahuhan nila ‘yan,” she stated, telling Bernadette that it’s important for them to teach their kids to work for everything they want in life and not simply rely on what she and Jason could bequeath to them someday.

Apart from Magandang Buhay, we can also catch Melai on Kuan On One with new episodes every Tuesday on ABS-CBN Entertainment's YouTube channel and soon on Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11.