JENNYLYN Mercado is back before the cameras, resuming the shoot of “Love. Die. Repeat,” the romance-drama she started working on in September of 2021. Taping of the show had to be stopped when she got pregnant with her and Dennis Trillo’s first child.
She gave birth to their beautiful daughter who they named Dylan Jade on April 25, 2022. Baby Dylan turned one year old last April and her parents gave her a bonggang first birthday party. After the birthday celebration, Jennylyn returned to work.
‘Kasi for two years, I focused on my family — Jennylyn Mercado’
Jennylyn plays Angela and her leading man is Xian Lim, who plays Bernard. It’s their first time to be paired with each other. They have a big supporting cast that includes Mike Tan, Gardo Versoza, Valeen Montenegro, Myrtle Sarrosa, Ina Feleo, Nonie Buencamino, Shyr Valdez. She felt like a newbie on their set.
“Siempre, nakakapanibago rin,” she says. “Kasi for two years, I focused on my family. Naging mahirap din nga for me going back to taping kasi malalayo ako kay Dylan, nasanay siyang lagi akong nakikita.”
Even when it comes to acting, she says she felt like a newcomer again. “Yes, ang feeling ko, para akong baguhang nagsisimula uli. But with the help of my co-stars, the production staff, and of course our director, they helped in motivating me na kaya ko gawin lahat ng eksenang dapat naming i-tape. And I really want to thank them all.”
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Bela Padilla was in London while on the Zoom press con of her new movie, “Wish You Were the One.” She herself directed the last two movies she did, “366” with Zanjoe Marudo and “Ang Libro sa Napanood Ko” with a Korean actor. She is now directed by Derrick Cabrido in “Wish You Were the One” and it’s their first time to work with each other. So how is it?
“Actually, nag-enjoy ako,” she said. “Kasi it’s less work for me. It’s not a joke to direct and also act at the same time. So nakapag-rest naman ako. Our director is very open to suggestions from JC and I so we enjoyed working with him.”
How is it working with JC again?
“Even when we’re not working, JC and I always make kumusta to each other. We don’t lose touch. We’re different people now than we first worked together in 2017. JC has gotten married and he got me as ninang of his daughter. We’re now so comfortable with each other.”
Her contemporaries are now moms, like Angelica Panganiban, or married like Glaiza de Castro, Maja Salvador and soon, Lovi Poe. Does she intend to follow soon?
“Naku, nope. At hindi ako naiinggit sa kanila. Wala pa akong balak mag-asawa o maging ina. Ang dami ko pang ibang gustong gawin sa buhay, so that can wait.”
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Coleen Garcia is glad to be paired with Carlo Aquino in “Kung Hindi Lang Tayo Sumuko,” a Viva One mini-series about the loves and lives of three young couples: Carlo Aquino and Coleen Garcia, Kiko Estrada and Ryza Cenon, and Jerome Ponce and Rhen Escano.
“I first got the chance to work with Carlo in ‘Exes Baggage,’ but it’s just a short role kasi si Angelica Panganiban talaga ang kapareha niya roon,” says Coleen. “Now, kami na talaga ang partner as a young couple about to get married, but suddenly get cold feet.”
She says it really happened to her when she was about to wed Billy Crawford. “A few days before the wedding, I really had doubts, but it’s good itinuloy pa rin namin as I’m now so happy with Billy and our son, Amari.”
She says their new TV series can be an eye opener for couples who are now in relationships. “I’m really happy to be part of this series as people and lovers everywhere can easily relate with the situations portrayed in it. It’s about the joys and pains we all experience when we are in love and the tragedy of failed relationships. They can get tips from what happened to the characters and how to cope when you are facing serious relationship problems.”
