Jennylyn not ready for love; denies dating Dennis, Derek

MANILA, Philippines - It’s been over a year since Jennylyn Mercado broke up with TV host Luis Manzano. But the GMA-7 star said she’s still not ready to entertain the possibility of romantic relationships.

“Hindi pa ako handa,” she told entertainment reporters during the press conference for the movie 'English Only, Please' on Tuesday.

Jennylyn further explained: “Sa ngayon, ine-enjoy ko yung pagiging single ko. Magde-date, ganyan, okay lang kasi wala namang masama dahil single ako. Pero 'yun lang.”

The 27-year-old actress is persistently rumored to have reconciled with ex-boyfriend Dennis Trillo, and is now dating her English Only, Please leading man Derek Ramsay.

Jennylyn dismissed the rumor regarding Dennis, explaining the reports may have come from the fact that she did a duet with Dennis for her latest album.

“Hindi kasi ibig sabihin na nagkaroon kami ng duet e 'yun na 'yun. Ano naman, magkaibigan na kami bago pa kami nagkaroon ng duet,” she said. 

Jennylyn added: “Matagal na rin kasi kaming nagkasama. Tapos noon, nagkaroon kami ng closure. Naging magkaibigan naman kami. Wala sigurong masama kung maging magkaibigan kami.”

Is it really her intention to become friends with her former boyfriend? It can be remembered that Jennylyn and Luis were not on good terms when they broke up in 2013. Luis later on reconciled with ex-girlfriend Angel Locsin.

“Sana. It will take time,” she said. “Hindi agad-agad na kaibigan. Syempre, kailangan mong palipasin yun. Kailangan mag-subside mo. Kailangan marami ka ulit pagdaan bago ma-realize mo na okay lang naman maging friends.”

As for Derek, Jennylyn said she’s not closing any doors for anything but adds she’s not looking for anything romantic right now. 

“Hindi pa ako ready,” she said.

But Jennylyn said Derek opened up to her when he was dealing with legal troubles concerning the mother of her son, Mary Christine Jolly.

Did her past showbiz relationships traumatize her? No, Jennylyn said, but she added, “Sana, as much as possible, non-showbiz. Pero ayoko rin magsalita ng tapos. Ayoko magsarado ng pinto. Hindi po alam, bahala na.”

“Doon ako dadalhin ni God e, kung saan 'yung tama,” Jennylyn added.

English Only, Please will premiere in cinemas on December 25 as part of the Metro Manila Film Festival.