Jennylyn settling down in 6 years?

MANILA, Philippines - Jennylyn Mercado has learned her lesson well. Now that her son Alex Jazz is eight, the single mom has vowed to take it slow when it comes to relationships. At 29, the singer-actress is just as bent on waiting six years before she finally settles down.

Another child, provided he or she is born after Jennylyn ties the knot, is just as welcome.

“It will take time,” she replied when the press asked her about marriage plans, shortly after she performed a song from her new album, Ultimate, Jennylyn Mercado (Ivory Records) at Packo’s Restaurant, Quezon City.

This means she’ll be 35 when she ties the knot, and boyfriend Dennis Trillo, 40.

If Jennylyn is happy, Dennis told the press in a separate interview that he found The One in somebody who excels in front of the camera and in the kitchen as well, the platinum recording artist doesn’t show it.

Jennylyn insists she can’t pick a song in her sixth album (her comeback after a two-year absence) for Dennis because the tracks speak of sadness.

She cites Bulalakaw (featuring Silent Sanctuary), whose acoustic flavor, Jennylyn says, is worlds apart from the songs she has recorded.

“It’s about one-way love. The song also features some strings.”

Bulalakaw and Lampara, another song about unrequited love, are Jennylyn’s favorites in the album.

“I sing them when I’m alone,” she says.

Jennylyn Mercado with boyfriend Dennis Trillo

Alone and lonely don’t apply to her these days.

Jennylyn and Dennis recently went scuba diving in Batangas, along with Gerald Anderson and others who share their love for Mother Nature.

“It’s for my clean-up drive with DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources). We picked up trash at the bottom of the sea together with the Philippine Coast Guard,” Jennylyn beams.

She’s even more passionate about shielding her son from onscreen violence. His yaya is under strict orders to keep the TV turned off when violent teleseryes are on air.

She’s happy to see signs that her little boy got her love for music and rhythm. Jennylyn notes that he loves to hum along and can even carry a tune.

She plans to help develop his budding musical talent by enrolling him in drum lessons.

Jennylyn also plans to bow out of FHM’s Sexiest Woman race, which she won last year. She’s eyeing three celebrities are her heirs-apparent: Jessy Mendiola (this year’s title holder), Coleen Garcia and Arci Muñoz.

“At my age, it’s not right (to hold the title) anymore,” Jennylyn states.

She’d rather think of coming up with a concert next year and making her coffee shop business grow even more.

Jennylyn knows she can do more as a singer-actress. And yet, she accepts the fact that the presence of younger stars limits what she can do when it comes to flaunting her physical assets.

Jennylyn knows there are no guarantees in love, but she doesn’t want these to keep her from dreaming of forever.

She has come to terms with herself. She has come to terms with life.