Jessy Mendiola plays the role of an escort girl (Lyka) who meets and falls in love with a police officer named Mike played by Carlo Aquino in the January 7 episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya” entitled, “Makeup.” When 19-year-old Lyka begins to be neglectful of her studies and her life in general, she meets Mike, eighteen years older than her, who helps her regain the life she has lost and eventually loves her, regardless.
Jessy Mendiola as ‘Lyka’ is Traumatized by the Nightlife
After graduating from highschool, Lyka was given the opportunity to study in Baguio to pursue a degree in Education. Although she grew up in a home where she was spoiled and loved by everyone, she was also raised by a very strict father who has a heart condition. Her father had high expectations which was a big weight over her shoulders.
As a university student, at first she prioritized her studies and kept to a school-home routine. Her friends took notice and convinced her to “take a break.” When she got a taste of the nightlife, she embraced a life of partying and alcohol. This was where she fell into the hands of men who had raped her. She was left shattered because of how she was taken advantage of many times. The traumatic experience caused her to lose her drive to study. She did not tell her family about what she has gone through and decided to stop studying.
Lyka felt powerless and hopeless. To “free” herself from it, she chose to be an escort because she thought that she would have more leverage as to how she wants to be treated. She can flatter the men she “entertains” to make them feel superior and she has the power to set limits when it comes to how men relate to her. Soon enough, she embraced the lifestyle and enjoyed the gifts given to her as well as the money she earns. She feels some sort of liberation because she has the say as to how, when, or who she lets into her life.
Jessy Mediola Helps Sister with Cancer By Being an Escort
One night, Lyka receives a message from her family saying her sister has Ovarian Cancer. She then visits after being silent for so long. Lyka’s father is angered by her neglect and says that the family doesn’t need her. But then, Lyka said she can help with her sister’s condition. From then on, she gives a lot of her earnings to her sister. When asked what she does, she just says she is into sales. Before she returned to her job, she met Mike, a 37-year-old police officer, in a family gathering. Since then, he felt something special with Lyka and pursued her.
Carlo Aquino as Police Officer Mike Helps Jessy Start Anew
Lyka could not accept the idea that someone truly cares for her. With the pain men has caused her, she only expected to be hurt.But Mike was relentless. Many times he would express how he feels about her, but Lyka, would turn him down. Call it stubborn love, but Mike won the trust of Lyka in the end. Although she would fall into moments of self-pity and become unaccepting of who she is, Mike saw through her and genuinely wanted to help her pick up herself and start a new life. She did, one step at a time. Lyka went back to school and started to study again. She also introduced Mike to her family telling them that he is helping her make things better. When Lyka’s sister passed away, she makes amends and asked forgiveness from her father. Being the loving father he is, she forgives Lyka and they, too, get a fresh start. In time, Lyka finished her studies and currently she is reviewing for the BAR exam. Mike, on the other hand, has stood by her and loves her beyond everything.
What Charo Santos said in ending is true. Sometimes when we have been too hurt many times, we can no longer dance to the dance of life. But, if we choose to be courageous, like Lyka, we can learn to dance again, to love ourselves and dream once more. It takes unconditional love to be restored and be made whole again.