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Biography |
Jennylyn Mercado (born May 15, 1987) is a Filipina actress
and singer. She became famous after winning in the first
season of StarStruck, a reality-based talent search show of
GMA Network in the Philippines.
In the October 14, 2004 episode of TV drama series
Magpakailanman of GMA Network, which featured her life
story, viewers learned more about her childhood.
In May 4, 1991, when she was nearly four years old, she made
headlines as a battered child. Her assailant was her
stepfather, who burned her skin with cigarette butts and
whacked her back with a flat iron. Her mother, who was then
in Dubai working as a domestic helper, immediately came
home. She came not to take care of her daughter, however,
but to bail out her partner, who was in detention.
Her mother migrated to London and had her own family.
Jennylyn's aunt, Lydia Mercado, legally adopted her.
In June 2004, Jennylyn's biological father, Noli Pineda, now
50, came home for a holiday. His arrival did not go
unnoticed by the press. Reports came out saying that he was
asking for money from his now self-sufficient daughter (an
accusation she has strongly denied, insisting that her
father wanted her to use his surname). She and her
biological father, who is based in Korea, keep in touch.
Jennylyn is now the official spokesperson of the Bata
Foundation (Christian Mission Services), a non-governmental
organization. It operates with basic funding support from
its partner organization, Christlicher Missiondienst (CMD)
headquartered in Germany, supplementary assistance from two
Japanese organizations and a few local groups, with the help
of Feed Hungry Inc. and the GMA Artist Center.
Jennylyn was a senior at the Augustinian Abbey in Las Piñas,
where she actively took part in school programs. From Prep
to 4th year High School.
Because of her hectic work schedule after winning
Starstruck, she had to take a leave from school. If given
the time and opportunity to pursue her studies further, the
young actress has said that she'd like to take up Mass
Communications as a major.
On the April 3, 2004 episode of Startalk, a
Philippines-based talk show, Jennylyn admitted that she
suffers from a heart ailment which prohibits her from
becoming too tired, overly excited, or angry.
Jennylyn Mercado spent her 18th birthday with abused
children from the CMSP, distributing gifts and just spending
quality time with the children. MAQ Productions SM Megamall
Cinema threw her a belated 18th birthday celebration to
coincide with the premiere of her first movie, Say That You
Love Me. This was the Philippines' first ever movie premiere
with a birthday debut. Jennylyn's gown was created
exclusively for her by fashion designer Rajo Laurel.
Award-winning production designer Edgar Martin "Egay"
Littaua also contributed to the dress. Mark Herras, leading
man in Say That You Love Me and Jennylyn's real-life
boyfriend, escorted her, together with other young men from
her family, Starstruck, GMA Network, and Regal Films.
She became the girlfriend of co-StarStruck survivor Mark
Herras but their relationship has now ended. Although the
pair may have declared that they have split up, their
on-screen team-up bears no signs of breaking down.
Jennylyn was being wooed by numerous men (like actor Jake
Cuenca who gave her a dog - Migs - while working with her in
the 9th season of Love to Love entitled Miss Match. But all
were just rumors. There were also hints that Jennylyn and
Mark got back together again but there had also been rumors
that she and her former non-showbiz boyfriend, Jigs
Cristobal were back together, too. Jen denied all of these
saying she has not gotten back together with Jigs nor Mark.
Some sources also said that she's being courted by Captain
Barbell star, Patrick Garcia.
The young singer-actress has stated that none of the rumors
are true. She claimed that, at present, she still is
entertaining suitors but her career is her utmost priority.
Now, she admitted that she has been going out with
award-winning actor, Patrick Garcia. The two had been
spotted together in one of the country’s finest island,
Boracay. Rumor has it that the two are now officially
together as confirmed by some of their friends. But the
actress-singer neither admits nor denies the status of their
relationship. In one recent interview by Dolly Ann Carvajal
of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Jennylyn explains, “"I
don't deny that Patrick inspires me but that is all for
now.” |
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