Melai Cantiveros’ family and friends pulled a birthday surprise for the actress and TV host ahead of her 36th birthday. There were her husband Jason Francisco and their two daughters Mela and Stella, as well as her Magandang Buhay co-hosts Regine Velasquez and Jolina Magdangal.

Cantiveros, whose birthday falls on 6 April, admitted in an interview that she was clueless about the birthday party. She thought she would do a VTR shoot for her birthday production number that was eventually shown in Sunday’s episode of the ABS-CBN musical program, ASAP Natin ’To.

Upon her arrival at the ABS-CBN’s compound, the comedienne got a hug from her daughters and a bouquet of flowers from her husband.

Then Velasquez appeared, singing her hit song “Araw Gabi” to the birthday girl, while Magdangal joined in the singing and the merrymaking officially started. It was a double celebration for Cantiveros, who’s also marking her 15th anniversary in showbiz.

“Alam mo ngayong matanda na ko parang hindi na ko masyado na birthday ko ba,” she said in her signature comedic way. “Puwede na lang lumipas na lang ’yung birthday ko ba. Parang gusto ko na lang na peaceful ’yung birthday ko. Nakakahiya na mag-birthday-birthday pa (You know that I’m getting old, I’m not much into celebrating my birthday. The day can just pass by. I just want to have a peaceful birthday. It’s embarrassing).”

For her birthday wish, Cantiveros said she’d like to have a continuous blessing of wisdom. She also hinted on hoping for a baby boy to arrive soon.

“Sana magka-baby pa para may boy kami. ’Tapos sana April din ipanganak para tawagin naming April Boy, char lang!” she joked.

Turning serious, the mom of two said she and Jason were ready to have another child; however, they also consulted their two daughters regarding their plan. “Pero ayaw pa ni Stella (But Stella doesn’t want yet),” she pointed out.

On Instagram, Cantiveros expressed her gratitude to her celebrity friends for the birthday greetings, saying “‘Di ko pa na isa ang replies and repost mga mahals. Sobra ko na appreciate (I haven’t replied and reposted, my dears. I appreciate it a lot).”