elissa Mendez says her biggest achievement was helping her parents send her three younger siblings to school. With her showbiz earnings, she also had a house for her parents built in Quezon City . Then she bought herself a three-bedroom bungalow, also in Quezon City . She and her three daughters have been occupying the bungalow for 13 years now.

“Alam mo naman, God is faithful,” says the actress, a renewed Christian. “Kahit na nagwawala ako noong araw, binless pa rin niya ako. Sabi nga, ‘What you sow, you will reap.' Baka dahil nakatulong naman ako sa pamilya, kaya ganoon. In fact, after nito, nag-harvest pa ako ng isa pang bahay na pinauupahan ko naman ngayon.”

The 41-year-old Melissa, whom close friends call Melê, used to play leading lady to such action stars as Rudy Fernandez (Kunin ang Ulo ni Magtanggol, 1983), Lito Lapid (Alakdang Bato, 1984), and John Regala (Boy Kristiano, 1989). Now she's happy being a supporting actress.

It's still a lucrative occupation. TV and film have a never-ending need for best friends, mothers, and kontrabidas, and Melê excels in such roles. In fact, at press time, she was busy shooting a movie, Mga Batang Bangketa, for the independent production company Rosas Films. She plays mother to Camille Pratts. Also in the cast are Marco Alcaraz and Juan Rodrigo. The movie is set for a December release.

For now, Melê is praying to get a part in a soap opera.

“Since January, may may listahan ako ng prayer requests ko—kasi, ganoon daw pala yon, sabi ng pastor namin, dapat pag me hihilingin ka kay Lord, be specific—and halos lahat yon, naibigay na ni Lord. Isa na lang, soap opera.”

A TV soap spells regular income, which means steady support for Melê's three lovely daughters—Denise, 17; Cassie, 13; and Alex, 6.

The actress does not hide the fact that her kids are fathered by three different men. Denise and Cassie receive financial support from their non-showbiz fathers, but Alex, whose father is former actor Raymund Keanu, does not.

“Kasi wala namang pansuporta,” Melê says of Raymund. “Alam mo, napakabait ni Raymund, e. Pagdating sa pera, wala kang maipipintas. Nagkataon lang na wala siya ngayon, na hirap din siya sa buhay niya, pero nag-uusap silang mag-ama. Noong birthday ni Alex, tumawag siya kaagad. Kinumusta niya yong anak niya.”

Every now and then, he also calls Melê, telling her, “Melê, pasensiya ka na muna, wala akong maipadala sa'yo. Pag medyo lumuwag-luwag kami dito, magpapadala ako.”

Raymund is now based in the U.S. , where he's starting over with a new family. “He's happily married na,” says Melê.

And what about Melissa Mendez herself? Could her next prayer request be about finding the right man who will also walk her down the aisle?

“Well, oo naman,” she smiles, but adds that she's in no hurry. Having found peace in her faith, she's no longer made restless by a hankering for earthly pleasures.

“Magti-three-years na ako ngayon kay Lord,” she says. “And sabi ko, ‘Lord you complete me.' Dati kasi, I always have the feeling na I need a man to complete me. Yong parang ang hilig-hilig ko sa lalaki. Na parang pag walang lalaki, hindi ko kayang mabuhay. Pero ewan ko noong naghiwalay kami ni JC Castro [a sexy actor who ran for councilor in Caloocan City in the last elections, but lost], instead of running to another man again, si God na ang naging husband ko.”

She says she has Coney Reyes to thank for showing her the way.

“SI Coney Reyes na tinataasan ko pa ng kilay noong araw. Lagi niya akong sinasabihan: “Melissa, when will you really have the faith in God na talagang He's going to be your provider? He's going to be your husband? Naka-smile ako sa kanya, pero pagtalikod, nakataas ang kilay ko. Pero she kept praying for me. Hindi siya nag-stop na mag-pray sa akin.

“Alam mo, dumating talaga yong time na binigay sa akin ni Lord yong rea liza tion na bakit nga ba kailangan ko lagi ng lalaki, e, nandiyan naman si Jesus? Bakit hindi ako sumandal sa kanya? Alam mo, pag sa kanya ka nakasandal, kukumpletuhin nya ang lahat sa iyo.”

With her usual candor, Melissa relates that she even prayed for God to take away her lustful thoughts.

“Sabi ko, Lord, tanggalin mo,” she says, laughing. “Kilala nyo ako, may pagka-el [as in lustful] ang inyong sister. Pero ngayon, hindi na ako naghahanap ng lalaki.”

Her biggest effort in this regard, besides being celibate, was when she had her breast reduced—the same breasts that she had augmented before.

“Ayoko na ng malaki ang boobs,” she says. “Ayoko na nang pinagtitinginan ako ng mga lalaki.”

Melissa set up all the Christmas décor herself and finished everything one day, including trimming this six-foot-tall Christmas tree: “May kasama lang ako na tagalagay ng ilaw. Pero ako nagpapako diyan at nag-aayos.”

She takes particular pride in the small painting behind the tree. It's by the late National Artist Cesar Legaspi, father of Celeste the singer.

With Melissa are her three daughters: Cassie, Denise and Alex. With Cassie is the hyperactive Chihuahua , Boomer. Between Denise and Cassie sits the regal Shih Tzu, Princess.

This is the view of the living room from the kitchen. Melissa recently changed the major furniture pieces here. She used to have upholstered sofas with floral designs. Now she has three-piece mocha seats. The red ottomans, in square and round shapes, provide contrast.

“Hindi na kasi ako happy doon sa dati, e.” she smiles. “Tsaka, kinailangan ko rin naman yong mga yon para doon sa isang bahay ko na pinarerentahan. So, lahat ng luma dito, nilagay ko doon para furnished na siya.”

The rest of the furnishings remained—the antique bauls, the harp, the drawers near the windows. Asked where she usually buys her things, Melissa replies: “Kung saan-saan. Meron sa Restoration, sa Jo-Liza [International], saka me pinupuntahan akong isa sa [Robinsons] Galleria.”

Melissa has a ready explanation for having 10 seats: “Alam mo naman ang lola mo, mahilig akong magpakain. Para hindi na maraming lugar-lugar, hiwa-hiwalay. At least diyan, isa lang, sampu na kaagad kayo diyan.”

On Christmas Eve, after attending worship service, the four girls feast on their Noche Buena here, along with visiting relatives.

That oval French door, by the way, leads to the kitchen. There, the corridor leading to three bedrooms and to the entertainment den is lined with Melissa's paintings.

The formal dining room—seen here from the living room—boasts a brand-new 10-seater dining set, made-to-order from Restoration, a furniture store at Mandaluyong City 's Shanri-La Plaza mall. Made of Philippine mahogany, each truly heavy seat costs a whopping P10,000!

Melê shrugs off the extravagance: “Hayaan mo na. Ipapamana ko naman yan sa mga bata.”

She also takes pride in her Murano figurines and vases displayed on the buffet table and in the display cabinet. The paintings in this air-conditioned room are by Melissa herself, who considers herself a hobbyist.

“Wala naman akong formal training,” she explains. “Wala akong malay sa fine arts. Pero namana ko siguro sa tatay ko ang hilig. Yon, nag-aral talaga yon.”

The master bedroom, with its comfy queen-sized bed, is the favorite hangout of the owner's four dogs. Boomer, the Chihuahua , likes lying down beside Melissa: “Seloso kasi yon.” Princess, the furry Shih Tzu, is content with staying under the bed: “Kaya siya lagi madungis. Nahahakot ng balahibo niya ang lahat ng kalat.”

What was once a bedroom is now Melissa's dressing room. A walk-in closet like this one is necessity for stars, particularly the female of the species. Like many of her fellow stars, Melê is imeldific in her addition to brand-name footwear—Blhanik, Prada, Vuitton, Choo. “Mga 200 pairs yan,” daughter Cassie volunteers.

efore any question about shoes can even be asked, Melissa quickly explains: “Kasi noong bata pa ako hanggang sa nag-aaral ako ng college, dalawang sapatos lang ang meron ako. Isang rubber shoes at isang flat. As in, parang hirap na hirap, yong pudpod na pudpod. Kaya noong nagkaroon ako ng chance, noong guminhawa na ang buhay ko, yon na. Doon na ako nag-start na mag-ipon ng mga sapatos, pati bags.”

A native of Zambales, Melissa is still drawn to anything that reminds her of provincial life, such as the sulihiya rocking chair and divan (partly hidden) and the baul. The huge oriental jars—once stylish pieces in celebrity homes—have found a home in this Asian lanai, which Melê says is the best tambayan at night: “Kasi may ilaw dyan sa fountain ko.”

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