Jennylyn: ‘A rom-com soap, please’

CEBU, Philippines - Lattering it may be, Jennylyn Mercado feels queasy with titles.

These days, after her come-from-behind win during last  month’s annual film festival, the singer-actress’ name is at all times prefixed with the 2014 MMFF Best Actress tag – something her ears still haven’t quite gotten accustomed to.

“Naiilang pa rin ako hanggang ngayon. Kasi hindi ako sanay. Pag nakikita ko o naririnig ko, napapasabi ako ng ‘Ano ba yan?’ Napapaganun lang ako,” said the star of the sleeper hit “English Only, Please.”

The glowing single mom said that starring in light, rom-com fare had been in her wish list, after an 11-year career of tackling mostly dramatic characters. It was a genre out of her comfort zone, and she was delighted to dive into her role of a bubbly, foolish-in-love English tutor, even if she came in as second choice. (The lead roles were originally for Angeline Quinto and Sam Milby).

Jennylyn said that as an actress, it’s of course her goal to nab acting recognitions, as this were manifestation of her hard work paying off. On one hand, she avoids the award from bloating her head by steering clear of write-ups that have praised her so generously.

“Siguro nakakatulong na rin sa akin na hindi ako nagbabasa. Twitter, nakikita ko lang, ni re-retweet ko lang,” explained StarStruck’s first female winner. “Pero hindi ko talaga binabasa yung mga reviews. Dahil siguro tamad lang ako magbasa. Kasi kapag Twitter, tinitingnan natin sa mentions. Yung mga first few words lang ang mga binabasa ko.”

Asked what could have possibly made “English Only, Please” resonate to viewers amid more famous, heavily-promoted MMFF entries, Jennylyn said, “Siguro it’s the reality. Kasi yun yung reality na sumasakay tayong lahat ng jeep, nag a-apply tayo ng trabaho, nasasaktan tayo. Nagiging martyr din tayo. Kahit na wala kaming promo, puro lang kami Instagram, Twitter, Facebook…siguro nakatulong yun kasi nalaman ng mga tao yung pakiramdam, so curious sila na panoorin yung movie.”

Jennylyn hasn’t rewarded herself for a job well done yet. But once her schedule gives the chance, the GMA-7 star is hoping for vacation to Santorini, Greece.

She’s currently seen weekday nights in the newest drama “Second Chances” with Camille Prats, Rafael Rosell and Raymart Santiago. Working with Raymart again after 2011’s “Futbolilits” has been a joy, she shared.

“Si Raymart parang kapatid ko na yan. Talagang alam na naming ang mga kalokohan namin. Alam na namin ang mga personal stuff namin sa buhay. So masaya ako na nakatrabaho ko siya ulit kasi komportable siyang katrabaho, walang arte. Napaka-gentleman.”

After proving her chops with the rom-com genre, Jennylyn is hoping her network gives her the avenue to experience the same genre in the small screen. “Kasi lahat ng soap ko drama. Kung hindi heavy, psycho. Para maiba naman, sa soap naman. Kasi masarap umuwi sa bahay na masaya, hindi maga ang mata at mabigat ang dibdib.” — VAB (FREEMAN)