Jennylyn takes a break from drama

MANILA, Philippines - No matter how hard Jennylyn Mercado tries to beg off from going into details regarding her rumored romance with Dennis Trillo, most of the questions from the persistent press remain connected to it. Thus, Jennylyn has no choice but to give in, punctuating her every short reply with a sweet smile.

The Kapuso actress assures everything is fine between her and Dennis. She blurts out, “Ay, Diyos ko po ano muna, hindi muna!” when asked on her reaction to Dennis’ reported wish to settle down. There is no more explanation to that because Jennylyn seems determined to keep some personal details private. “I prefer to keep mum about it.”

What definitely makes her talk kilometric are things that pertain to her career and future plans as an actress. After renewing contract with her mother network GMA, Jennylyn buckles down to work as host of the newest Kapuso celebrity singing competition titled Superstar Duets that is set to premiere tonight. The show combines laughter and music through amusing yet impressive duet performances from eight celebrity contestants and “international” singing stars.

Hosting, Jennylyn admits, is not her cup of tea. That’s why, she devoted some time to hosting workshops prior to the start of their taping. “Direk (Bert de Leon, the show director) is a big help, inaalalayan nila ako and I had a workshop with direk Floy (Quintos) for me to be comfortable with the flow of the show while I do a lot of talking on stage.”

After the first taping day, Jennylyn found her task enjoyable. She was able to banter with the audience and celebrity contestants. “Everyone is fun to work with because each contestant displays a different character or style. Like si Joross (Gamboa), walang ibang ginawa kundi mambasag (ng confidence). Jerald (Napoles) never runs out of side comments and there is one who always agrees with Jerald parang I second the motion lagi (laughs). There’s no dull moment in the show.”

No wonder Jennylyn considers hosting Superstar Duets as a breather from all the dramatic projects that she’s been getting since she won in the first season of the reality talent show StarStruck several years ago. “I find the show relaxing because it doesn’t require much effort as compared to doing drama. All I have to do here is talk in front of everyone and laugh at the contestants’ funny acts. There’s no need for me to cry or do slapping scenes that’s why it’s quite easier.”

Since she is also a singer, Jennylyn is expected to perform in one of the show’s episodes. But that would certainly happen in the later part since the show is focused on the contestants that include — aside from Joross and Jerald — Pekto Nacua, Nar Cabico, Rita Daniela, Denise Barbacena, Divine Grace and Osang.

With eight celebrity contestants (from left) Divine Grace, Rita Daniela, Jerald Napoles, Joross Gamboa, Pekto Nacua, Denise Barbacena, Nar Cabico and Osang.

Asked about the delay of her other project with GMA which is the local version of the Koreanovela My Love From the Star, Jennylyn, tapped to play Steffi Chon, said she is clueless as to when will the work exactly begin. By now, everyone knows that the network hasn’t found an actor who will portray the male lead Mateo Do. Alden Richards was initially reported to play the part but nothing has been finalized yet.

“There is a collaborative effort to find an actor for the role like they were asking kung may gusto ba kayong ipa-audition (for the role) pero ako naman I’ll just let them decide. Tanggap ko naman kahit sinuman ang mapili.”

However, since the news came out that Jennylyn would be paired with Alden, the former has become the favorite subject of bashers. She admits to having been hurt by some negative comments but never did she try to hit her bashers back.

“Instead, I chose not to check the comments anymore or my account on Twitter,” says Jennylyn. “Well, di naman ako masyado nagtwi-Twitter pero mas pinili ko na hindi na lang basahin kaysa sa…alam ko naman na deadma na lang ako pero iba pa rin pag may nababasa kang negative tweets di ba? So mas maganda kung iwasan na lang.”

Does she think that it has something to do with the clamor of fans to see Alden and Maine Mendoza, the other half of the AlDub loveteam, together in a TV series?

“Sa ngayon kasi talagang maganda yung samahan nila so perhaps it would be better kung mag-stick na lang muna sila dun,” she replies.

Jennylyn is not also sure if Christian Bautista has also been considered for the role. What is true, though, is that they will be working together in Superstar Duets. Christian is one of the show’s three judges. The other two are Allan K and Aicelle Santos. “And we have a duet in my new album to be released this month,” Jennylyn says.

On the big screen, her supposed filmfest movie with Coco Martin will no longer push through. For now, Jennylyn says her projects on GMA top her priority list. Given Coco’s hectic schedule, it would be tough for them to finish the movie on time not to mention Vice Ganda’s equally tight timetable who is also supposed to be in the movie. She adds that she will still do a movie with Star Cinema set to be released next year.

“I will also do a movie with GMA Films but there are no specific details yet,” she says.