Denise happily engaged

Denise Laurel at the Star Magic Ball in September RICHARD A. REYES

“It doesn’t have to be grand; I just want all my close friends there,” said Denise Laurel, engaged to basketball player Solomon Mercado, of her dream wedding.

“If I could afford it, I’d invite everyone I’ve been close to since I was a kid,” said the cast member of ABS-CBN’s afternoon series, “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita?”

But the wedding is not happening soon. “Sol and I are not rushing. What’s important is that we love each other.”

A player for the Philippine Basketball Association, Solomon is a Puerto Rican-Filipino who grew up in Sacramento, California. He popped the question on Denise’s 26th birthday in 2013.

She said Solomon is very close to her 3-year-old son Alejandro. “I don’t want things between them to be forced,” Denise said, adding that her family was more impatient. “My mom once asked me, ‘Kailan na ba?’ I refuse to feel pressured. My focus is still to save up for my son’s future.”

Alejandro is Denise’s son with an Italian-American.

“Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita,” which premiered on Jan. 19, is written by Ricky Lee and directed by Jeffrey Jeturian. ([email protected])