After a six-year hiatus from the limelight, Jessy Mendiola is determined to return to acting — and this time, she’s setting her sights on earning an award.
The actress, who stars in the primetime drama “Sins of the Father,” opened up about her career goals and family life during the recent Star Magic Spotlight press con, where she spoke candidly about what this comeback means for her.
“Sabi ko kay Kuya Ace [of Star Magic], gusto ko manalo ng award,” Jessy shared. “Gusto ko ng movie na hindi pa nila nakikita sa akin na role… something like ‘Taken,’ pero from a mother’s point of view…
“Gusto ko ng award-winning movie,” she said. “Yung hindi pa nila nakita sa akin. Sana, Lord. Sana po,” she intoned.
Jessy took a step back from acting to focus on her family with husband Luis Manzano and their daughter Rosie, whom they lovingly call Peanut. Now that she’s on the comeback trail, she has not lost sight on her priorities.
“Hindi ako tumatanggap ng sabay-sabay na projects, hindi tulad dati,” she said. “One at a time akong tumanggap para may oras ako for Rosie. Like later, uuwi ako nang maaga, mapapatulog ko pa rin siya. Kasi ako talaga nagpapatulog sa kanya.”
Despite her renewed focus on career, Jessy remains grounded in family life. Sundays are reserved strictly for her loved ones.
“Sunday is super important,” she said. “Kasi pag Sundays, nagsasama-sama kami — nila Momskie, Tito Ralph, ni bagets, ni Luis — the whole family. Sunday is family day.”
Her role in “Sins of the Father” is her first major onscreen appearance in years. The series also stars Gerald Anderson, RK Bagatsing, Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin. She also dreams of working with her mother-in-law, screen icon Vilma Santos, but only if the story feels right. “Napakabait na tao si Momskie,” Jessy said. “Gusto ka rin niya ng mag-shine. Palagi niyang sinasabi sa akin, ‘Anak, gusto kong magkaroon tayo ng movie,’ pero pinipili po niya ‘yung role ko.”
While returning to the industry has been demanding, Jessy said she was more than ready — not physically, but mentally.
“Mas hinanda ko yung mind ko, hindi physical,” she said. “Kasi kahit nung kakapanganak ko lang kay Rosie, nag-alaga na rin talaga ako ng sarili ko.”
She’s also preparing to return to the “ASAP” stage to showcase her love for dance. “Gusto kong maramdaman ulit na kahit mommy na ako, I still want to be comfortable with myself, with my body, kaya bumalik ako sa dancing.”
As for expanding their family, Jessy says she and Luis are open to it, but are taking things as they come.
“Kung ibigay ni Lord, thank you. Kung hindi, same lang. We’re not really blocking it. We’re not stopping ourselves,” she said. “May tamang timing. Siguro for me, this is my time, my season for myself na pag pagbigyan ko own dreams ko para sa self fulfilment ko, which is going back to the industry.”
