Jojo Mendrez denies romance with another ‘Starstruck’ alum Rainier Castillo

Rainier Castillo made a surprise appearance during Jojo Mendrez’s press conference. Images: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net

The “Nandito Lang Ako” performance of Jojo Mendrez ended on an emotional note after he was surprised by Rainier Castillo, sparking yet another round of rumor of a romantic involvement.

The final part of Mendrez’s media launch for “Nandito Lang Ako,” held at ELJ Center on Friday, March 21, featured the already emotional singer performing his recent single. Towards the end, Castillo — who was standing on the side of the stage — walked to Mendrez and wrapped him in a tight embrace.

However, moments before their embrace, the singer reiterated that the speculations about his alleged romance with Castillo and fellow “Starstruck” alum Mark Herras were “magnified” by speculations on social media.

“Actually, ‘yung controversy na ‘yun, na-magnify lang siya ng social media. ‘Yung reason kung bakit ako masyadong naapektuhan — even my family — kasi pagbukas mo ng social media, makikita mo ‘yung ganyang salita. Mas maganda na hindi na lang ako mag-comment sa issue [tungkol kay Mark and Rainier],” he said.

(Actually, the controversy was magnified on social media. It is the reason why my family and I are affected. When we open social media, we see these kinds of remarks. It’s better if I don’t comment on the issue about Mark and Rainier.)

Mendrez was speculated to be in a relationship with Herras and then Castillo weeks later, after he was seen hanging out with them on separate occasions at a hotel casino in Parañaque. Despite this, he claimed that his sightings with them were followed by “paparazzi.”

“Laging may naka-follow na paparazzi. Kung sino makitang makasama ko, nagagawan ng kulay… nagtataka ako kung bakit ‘yun ang nasusulat eh marami naman akong kasama,” he said.

(A paparazzi has always been following us. Whoever is with me gets to be the brunt of these malicious claims. I’m wondering why a lot of articles about us are written even if I was with a lot of people.)

Jojo Mendrez and Rainier Castillo. Image: Facebook/Sucaldito Jobert

Denial

When Mendrez was asked outright if he was in a relationship with Castillo, he said there was nothing romantic between them. He also admitted that he doesn’t know how to position himself in answering the question because it will always be taken against him.

“Wala hong ganun. Tignan niyo, ang nasa isip niyo na yung ganun kasi ayun yung nababasa natin sa social media… Kaya andoon na yung judgement na talagang meron na nangyayari,” he said. “Kumbaga, kahit iexplain ko wala ng maniniwala. Kung idedeny ko naman, sasabihin nagsisinungaling. Kaya hindi ko alam kung saan ako lalagay sa ganyan sitwasyon.”

(There is no such thing. You think that this is the case because it is what we see on social media. There is a certain judgment that something indeed happened between us. In that sense, even if I explain myself, no one will believe me. If I deny it, I will be told that I’m lying. This is why I don’t know how to position myself in these situations.)

Touching on how he and Castillo met, Mendrez revealed that the Kapuso star was introduced to him by Herras. They eventually became good friends after hanging out, noting that Herras is always busy.

“Bale in-introduce siya sa akin ni Mark [Herras], parang nagkayayaan tapos noong nakikilala ko na si Rainier, si Mark naman naging busy,” he said.

“Halimbawa, dapat lalabas kami o may gagawin sa labas na ano, or mag collab kami whatever, lagi siyang hindi available. At that time, ang available lagi is si Rain, si Buboy siya lagi available. Kaya laging madalas yung pagkikita namin ng tao,” he further explained, referring to Castillo using his nickname.

(He was introduced to me by Mark Herras. We set dates to go out. Then when I met Rainier, Mark was always busy. For instance, whenever we go out or do collaborations, Mark is always not available. At that time, Rain or Buboy was always available. This is why people always see us together.)

Castillo is married to his non-showbiz partner Diane Quizon since 2019. They have one child together.

Mendrez recently dropped his new single “Nandito Lang Ako,” and shared that he has plans to revive more music. He is notable for doing an updated take on the late Julie Vega’s “Somewhere in My Past.”