Jennylyn (left) with Derek Ramsay in “All of You”
‘Wala pa … Matagal pa ’yun!’
That was Jennylyn Mercado’s repeated response to persistent prodding and questions about whether or not she and Dennis Trillo are already planning to tie the knot soon. Her top priority is her family, she stressed, and there are still a lot of things she hopes to accomplish.
“We’re just enjoying each other’s company—that’s it. We have yet to talk about settling down. I’m sure the right time will come,” Jennylyn told reporters at a recent press conference for the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry “All of You,” which reunites her with her “English Only, Please” leading man, Derek Ramsay.
“I want to spend more time with my family. My son, Alex Jazz, is still young and needs me,” added the 30-year-old actress, who doesn’t mind being a single mother, anyway. “I’m used to it, being alone. Ako pa!”
The length of the relationship shouldn’t necessarily be the dictating factor when it comes to getting married, she pointed out. Besides, she believes that it’s not up to the woman to decide.
“It doesn’t matter how long a couple has already been together. If they feel like getting married, then they will do so,” Jennylyn stressed. “For us girls, if we get asked by the man, we answer either yes or no. And if you’re ready and feel like he’s ‘the one,’ then go for it.”
Her No. 1 requirement in a guy, Jennylyn related, is that he must be able to love his 9-year-old son.
From the looks of it, Dennis seems to be doing just that. “Yes, he’s close to Jazz,” she said. “Dennis plays with my son whenever he visits the house. Jazz calls Dennis ‘Tito.’”
Directed by Dan Villegas, “All of You” appears to mirror Jennylyn’s current situation in a way.
In the film, she plays Gabby, who’s in a serious and happy relationship with Gab (Derek). But, on their third year together, they face the crucial question: “Should they get married, or part ways?”
“Do you marry for the wrong reasons? Why rush into it? Are you ready to take the next step? These are things that should be considered very carefully,” Jennylyn related. “You can’t decide just like that, or just because you’re happy right now. What about the future?”
Jennylyn Mercado
Jennylyn was originally set to be paired with Jericho Rosales, who had to beg off from the film because he didn’t feel ready, according to a report in September.
However, the actor is part of the movie “Siargao,” which is also an MMFF entry.
But no hard feelings, Jen said. “Wala akong sama ng loob (no hard feelings). We bumped into each other at a restaurant some time ago and had a talk. As artists, we have the right to choose and do what we want,” the GMA 7 talent said of Jericho, whom she worked with in the 2015 MMFF entry, “Walang Forever.”
Better replacement
Thankfully for Jennylyn, she couldn’t have asked for a better replacement. She and Derek worked in 2014’s “English Only, Please,” which won for them the best actress and actor awards, respectively.
“I’m very comfortable with him … walang ilangan pagdating sa set,” said Jennylyn, who described “All of You” as perhaps her “most daring” movie yet.
“Its drama is heavier, and it’s steamier and more sensual than ‘English Only, Please,’ where we just goofed around,” she said. “Here, we did more love scenes, about four or five of them. But, Derek is very gentle and caring.”
Is a third MMFF trophy in sight? “I don’t have expectations. I just do my job as an actor,” she said.