New show brings out the mom in Jennylyn

 

MANILA, Philippines – Among the 5 female winners of GMA-7’s “Starstruck,” it is still Jennylyn Mercado, the first Female Ultimate Survivor in 2004, who is never out of work and still gets the big projects.

The other winners in that reality-artista search are Ryza Cenon, Jackie Rice, Kris Bernal, and Sarah Lahbati.

Jennylyn, 26, is happy to be building her resume as a TV host, apart from the acting assignments still being offered her.

“It all started with ‘Showbiz Central’ in 2011,” she recalled.

“Nakita nila na kaya ko pala.” (They saw that I could handle it.)

“Kinuha na nila ako [Then they got me] to host ‘Protégé: The Battle for the Big Break,’ and ‘Protégé: The Battle for the Big Artista Break.’

“Sa totoo lang [To tell you the truth], I enjoy hosting more than acting now.

“When you’re doing a drama series or a movie, nakakaaksaya ng oras ‘yung [it’s a waste of time] waiting.

“Minsan aabutin kayo ng umaga na sa set.” (Sometimes it will take you until the wee hours on the set.)

“In hosting naman, mabilis talaga [we’re done right away].

“Once you’re done with all your spiels at konting [and a little] interaction with the contestants, okey ka na. Tapos na ang trabaho. [you’re okay. The work’s done].

“Plus I get to learn a lot from the people I interact with. Like this new reality-competition show that I am doing now with GMA-7 called ‘Anak Ko ‘Yan.’”

Mommy Lydia

“Anak Ko ‘Yan” is a talent search/reality show where the children-contestants are paired with their mother or father.

There are contestants who’ve caught her attention, Jennylyn said. For her, they make the show more fascinating to the viewers.

“May isang [There’s this] girl contestant from Dumaguete City who was adopted by an American.

“I can relate to her because ampon din kasi ako [I’m also adopted]. My biological mother left me to the care of her cousin [Mommy Lydia] when she left for work in Japan.

“Ilang years akong hindi na binalikan ng mother ko kaya lumaki na ako kay [It’s been how many years since my mother left, so I grew up with] Mommy Lydia, who I consider my real mom.

“Mommy Lydia was the reason why I became a contestant in ‘Starstruck’ kunsaan nanalo ako [where I won].

“I owe a lot to my Mommy Lydia. Kaya kahit na gusto akong kunin noon ng real mom ko, hindi ako sumama.” (That’s why when my real mom wanted to get me back, I didn’t join her.)

“Si Mommy Lydia lang ang tunay na mommy ko.” (Mommy Lydia is my true mommy.)

Alex Jazz

Being a mom herself to 5-year-old Alex Jazz, Jennylyn will guide the parents taking part in the show in helping their child-contestants.

“Alam kong mahirap ang mag-alaga at magbantay.” (I know how it is to take care and watch over your children.)

“More so na contestant pa ang mga anak nila.” (More so that the contestants are their own children.)

“I can just imagine the pressure among the parents.

“I always tell them they should be patient with their kids. Help them out in the challenges and support them in their talents. Be it singing, dancing, or acting.

“Lahat ‘yan ay iparamdam nila ang suporta nila [In all these, they show their support] so that their kids will excel.

“Isa lang naman ang mananalo sa contest na ito.” (There will be only one winner in this contest.)

“But the support and love they give their kids will make them feel like big winners already.”

About her own son, Jennylyn is proud that Jazz is developing his talent in singing — just like her mom.

“Nagulat nga ako kasi marunong na palang kumanta ang anak ko!”

(It’s a pleasant surprise that my son can sing!)

“Minsan kasi sinundo ko siya sa school, nakita ko siyang kumakanta sa class nila.” (There was one time I picked him up in school, and I heard him sing in their class.)

“Aba, may boses na pala si Jazz.” (Aba, I didn’t know Jazz had such a voice.)

“That’s why I enrolled him in a music school for kids, para mas mahasa pa siya [so he can develop some more] and, at the same time, he enjoys playing with kids his own age.”

When asked about his son’s father, Patrick Garcia, who just had his baby girl christened recently, if he’s consistent in providing support, Jennylyn answered:

“We’re okay. Hanggang doon na lang ang sagot ko [Let’s leave it at that].”

“Anak Ko ‘Yan,” which premieres August 26, will be aired at 10:45 a.m., the same time slot of her boyfriend’s (Luis Manzano) show, “Junior Minute to Win It” on ABS-CBN.

Jennylyn and Luis take this circumstance with a lot of humor.

“It’s our job and galing na mismo kay Luis [himself says] we should have a healthy competition.

“Very supportive si Luis at gano’n din ako.” (We’re very supportive of each other.) – Rappler.com