Jennylyn Mercado may be five months pregnant, but this young mommy is as busy and as energetic as ever with television appearances, pictorials, album preparations and mall tours--whew! Where does she get her drive? iGMA is finding it hard to keep up with her! Text by KC M. Abalos. With an interview by Chynna Ortaleza. Photos by Xylen Geecel Punelas.
Jen looked radiantly pretty when we saw her during the video shoot of her new single, "How Do I Live." While waiting for the crew to set up, she was all too willing to chat about what has been happening in her life in her second trimester.
Baby News
Our first question was, has she done any shopping for all the cute baby stuff she will need when the little one comes out?
“Wala, [pero] ‘di pa ako nagbe-baby shower, kumpleto na ako. May crib na ako, may stroller,” she shared, with that happy glow that all expectant mothers seem to have. She described that most of her friends have already given everything she could possibly need. We were relieved to hear that everything is going well. (Watch Jen’s first baby shower during her iGMA Live Chat here!)
She assured us, “Di naman ako maselan, kinakain ko kahit ano makita ko. Noong first month ko, talagang tomato [ang craving ko]. Tapos [after that] kahit ano kinakain ko na.”
She then complained that her arms looked fat and we were like, duh? She is way sexier than most ladies who are not carrying a bundle! Though she admitted that she easily gets tired more often these past few weeks, she is still as hardworking. It seems the saying that pregnant women are lucky is true, because the projects for this young actress just keep pouring in. Our main concern and we’re sure her fans agree with us, is--isn’t it bad for her and the baby to have such a toxic schedule?
“Hindi naman siguro. Kailangan ko lang ingatan sarili ko talaga. Lagi ako nasusuka, pagod, at stressed. Kailangan talaga happy at kailangan ng rest.” But she finds it hard to just lounge at home with nothing to do. With promotions for her next album titled Kahit Sandali in full swing, Jen believes she cannot stop now.
Working Mom
Despite the fact that she came from an all night taping for a special guest appearance on the show Kaputol ng Isang Awit, somewhere in Antipolo, she was still excited to begin working on the music video where she reunites with her “idol” and “lucky charm” Janno Gibbs.
“Noong nalaman ko na may video, sobrang excited ako. Kasi yung first video na ginawa namin ni Kuya Janno, two years ago pa, "Moments of Love." The theme for the movie with the same title became an instant hit and the unusual combination of Jen and Janno worked like a charm.
The tandem was put to test once again for a remake of the song, "If I'm Not In Love." If there was ever any doubt that their voices blend perfectly, their two recognitions from the Awit Awards for Best Performance by a Duet and iFM Pinoy Music Awards for Most Popular Adaptation of A Foreign Song back in 2005 dispelled it.
The next question is, why choose the song "How Do I Live" as the initial release for her third album?
“Si kuya Janno pumili, kasi malaki talaga ang tiwala ko kay kuya Janno 'pag dating sa songs, sa blending. Kasi talagang siya yung nag-aayos ng lahat.”
The song seems to mirror recent events happening in her life. Is there a connection?
“Wala! Maganda [lang] yung lyrics ng song,” She quickly answered with her signature laugh. And with that, the interview drew to a close.
