Jennylyn sans regrets

MANILA, Philippines — Overwhelmed and loved.

That’s how Jennylyn Mercado summed up her feelings during her contract-signing last July 26 at GMA Network.

She signed up anew as a Kapuso, which marks her 16th year with the network since winning the first-ever edition of StarStruck. The actress did not divulge the number of years stipulated in her network contract because of its confidentiality clause, however, she stressed, “I am forever a Kapuso.”

While holding back tears of joy, Jennylyn added she would always be grateful to GMA for its unwavering support these past 16 years despite her ups and downs, particularly when she got pregnant. She thought her career would end right there and then. Jennylyn’s son Alex Jazz is now in Grade 3.

“I thought I would never be able to come back after getting pregnant… when I doubted myself (of being capable) to face the people again. Despite all that I went through, the management (GMA) accepted me again wholeheartedly at hindi nila ako pinabayaan hanggang sa makarating ako dito kung nasaan ako ngayon. All these years that I’ve been with GMA, duon ko napatunayan na hindi lang nila ako trinato as an artist, but they also treated me more like their own daughter,” she told the entertainment press.

When asked what she would change in the past if given the chance, Jennylyn answered, “There’s none. I have no regrets over my mistakes in the past. Siguro tama lang na pinagdaanan ko (sila) because I learned a lot from those things.”

Currently busy with two shows, Love You Two and StarStruck 7 (which she co-hosts with Dingdong Dantes), Jennylyn has no plans of slowing down. She’s eyeing to open a physical store for her online cookie business named Chunky Dough, as well as a salon. She has other plans for her career growth such as learning the ropes in producing films.

Jennylyn is also set to work with Coco Martin in a movie to be shown this year. She’s also doing YouTube collaborations with boyfriend Dennis Trillo in CoLove, which has a growing number of subscribers since its launch early this year.

She revealed that when she’s finished with her two shows in September, she’s going to spend some quality time with Alex Jazz and Dennis in some cold destination.

“Sino pa ba? Hahaha! Pwedeng si Jazz at saka si Dennis,” said Jennylyn, admitting that she’s not yet ready for marriage and for another baby.

“Hindi pa po pero kung ibibigay bakit hindi? Sa marriage wala pa sa (isip ko) ngayon. I don’t know yet,” she said.