Jennylyn spends loneliest Mother’s Day of her life

Three Sundays ago, Jennylyn Mercado spent the loneliest Mother’s Day of her 30 years.

“It was the first Mother’s Day without my Mama Lydia,” Jennylyn told Funfare, referring to her adoptive mother who passed away in October last year, who took good care of her, perhaps much more than her estranged biological mother ever could or ever did. “We were shocked by her death. She was confined for one month in the hospital and she grew weaker and weaker by the day, hanggang dere-derecho na.”

Mama Lydia Mercado, a Waray, was well-loved not just by Jennylyn and her son Jazz but also by showbiz folks. She was friendly, charming and always wearing a smile.

“Masayahin ang Mama Lydia ko,” added Jennylyn, “and that’s what I missed most about her. Besides Jazz, she was the only one I had. I don’t have any siblings, I don’t know of any relatives, kaya feeling ko nawalan ako ng backbone when she died.”

But for sure, Jennylyn has her boyfriend Dennis Trillo (himself has a love child, Calix, with former Bb. Pilipinas-World Carlene Aguilar) to lean on, the new “backbone” of her life. As part of the grieving process, Jennylyn and Dennis traveled the world, including Seoul where they convinced Jennylyn’s biological father, Noli Pineda, to come home for good.

“He wasn’t doing anything anymore,” said Jennylyn, “and now, Jazz and I have a companion at home.”

Noli is a musician and since Dennis is one, too, they easily clicked. Contrary to rumors, Jennylyn and Dennis are not living-in although Dennis pays Jennylyn regular visits at home. Neither, again denying rumors, did they get married abroad.

“We are just enjoying the moment,” assured Jennylyn.

While going out of a mall in Seoul, Jennylyn and Dennis chanced upon a passing bus with a picture of Jun Ji-hyun, the actress who plays Steffi in the hit Koreanovela My Love From The Star which is being remade by GMA, premiering tonight after Mulawin vs. Ravena. Paired with Jennylyn (also named Steffi in the localized version) is newcomer Fil-Spaniard model Gil Cuerva as Matteo Do, the character played by recent visitor Kim Soo-hyun in the original. (Trivia: Gil is the first cousin of Loyzaga sisters Bing and Teresa. Gil’s father is the brother of the sisters’ mother.)

“Aside from traveling,” shared Jennylyn, “work is the most effective therapy.”

She nipped in the bud any attempt to link her and Gil. No way. The whole world knows that Jennylyn is enjoying her second-time-around with Dennis while Gil has admitted going steady with a blogger from Ateneo where he’s also studying.

“There’s a 10-year gap between us,” added Jennylyn. “I’m 30 and Gil is 20.”

Because they did workshops together and had ample time to bond before the shooting started, Jennylyn and Gil were comfortable with each other on the set. She plays a superstar and he, an alien who finds himself on Earth after 100 years. The soap promises to be interesting because it’s directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal who has her own unique comedy touch.

“Our first shooting day was fun,” noted Jennylyn. “In the scene, I told Gil’s character, ‘Hindi ka puede mag-walk out dito, ako ang superstar!’ Good take.”

All praises for Jennylyn’s having no “star complex” and being down-to-earth, Gil said in an earlier interview that he’s all the more eager to learn more, not hesitating to ask around when necessary.

“He’s very open, very easy to work with,” Jennylyn returned the compliment. “He’s not shy about asking questions. Madali siyang mag-adjust, magaan ka-trabaho at marunong makisama.”

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