Jennylyn: Love can wait

MANILA, Philippines - Jennylyn Mercado marks another milestone in her career with the release of her new album Never Alone under GMA Records. It features eight original compositions and three covers that speak about love. The album also has Jennylyn performing a duet with Janno Gibbs, whom she considers “my lucky charm whenever I do an album,” and Dennis Trillo, her former beau.

The track listings include Abot Langit, Basta’t Nandito Ka, Kaya Ko Na, Never Alone, We Don’t Belong, Sana, Sa Hatinggabi, Till My Heartache Ends, Hatinggabi, Never Gonna Let You Go and After All. 

Jennylyn says Kaya Ko Na, composed by Vehnee Saturno, best defines her present outlook in life. The lyrics of the song express a firm decision about staying single and loveless than being hurt by an imperfect lover. But the Kapuso talent hastens to add that she does not intend to be romantically unattached all her life. She is simply in no rush to find a new love.

“I can’t forget about love since there are different kinds of love — for family, friends — but for a special someone, wala muna. It’s my choice (not to be romantically involved with a guy) even if it’s been a long time since I last fell in love; it’s fine with me. I’ll just wait for the right time,” says Jennylyn. “And I cannot exactly tell when is the right time, kasi di ba basta mo na lang ‘yun mararamdaman so there’s no deadline or specific date na, ‘Ah, dito ako mai-in love.’”

But talks linking her to Dennis persist to this day. More so now that the two did a duet in the song After All. “Di na ko napipikon. I’m used to answering that (issue), OK lang, we’re friends; antagal na nun (relationship) kaya wala na talaga at siguro naman kahit papaano (we both moved forward).”

Besides, Jennylyn has no time to mull over love. Her hands are full with work these days. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are taping days for her latest GMA soap Second Chances. Her shooting for English Only Please falls on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, while Sunday All Stars is on top of her schedule every Sunday. She, too, is about to start taping for the third season of GMA News TV’s Sarap with Family in November. Off-cam, Jennylyn devotes her time to son Alex Jazz and her training as a triathlete. “At eto may album pa, that’s why, I’m so sorry because my love life is zero and boring.” And obviously, she has become more focused on work, family and herself since her relationship with Luis Manzano fizzled out a year ago.

How about the rumor that she and Dennis are doing gym time together? “It’s because we have the same trainer (but) we saw each other in the gym only once,” Jennylyn clarifies. “We’re friends.”

With regards to Luis, she says their paths have never crossed since they broke up, thus the chance to talk to each other is far from happening.

“No, we’re not (friends). Di kami nagkakausap because there is no chance. First of all, we belong to (two) different stations.”

But it’s not the same case for her and Patrick Garcia. While everyone knows that their relationship had ended on a sour note, Jennylyn reveals that they are now on speaking terms. Truth is, Jennylyn will attend the wedding of Patrick and his fiancée Nikka Martinez in March and Alex Jazz will be the ring bearer.

“Lagi kaming nagkakausap ni Pat (short for Patrick), lalo na si Niks (Nikka). I’m happy and excited about their wedding that’s why I have to be there. It is also Jazz’s first time to be a ring bearer saka syempre tatay ni Jazz yun so I really have to witness (the affair).”

Being at peace with the people around her, Jennylyn adds, helps bring out a more positive attitude towards life. “I can’t ask for anything more with the kind of work schedule I have now. I’m acting, hosting, singing. Medyo mahirap na pag may love life pa ngayon (laughs).”

(Never Alone is out on CDs at Astroplus, Astro Vision, Odyssey Music and Video, The Landmark and SM record bars. It is also available in digiformat via iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and Deezer.)