Jennylyn Mercado admits that she is under pressure with her upcoming GMA prime time series, the local remake of the hit Koreanovela My Love from the Star.
“Well, I guess it’s just natural, considering how big and popular the original show is when it aired, right?” she says. “I know that many are waiting for its Pinoy adaptation. I just hope we’ll be able to meet the public’s expectations: that they’ll be able to relate to the characters and be entertained.”
The pretty actress knows there will be comparisons between the original and their local version.
“That is expected. I wish that it would be in a positive way though. All of us involved in the production are doing our best to come up with a highly entertaining offering. Personally, this is my first time to do a TV genre like this. It’s light as compared to my heavy dramas before. That’s where the challenge lies.”
Does she feel nervous to be compared to Korean actress Jun Ji-hyun?
“Oh yes!” Jen admits. “She’s so good in the original. I hope I’ll be able to really give justice to the female lead in the local reboot. You know, when I was in South Korea, I saw her photo on the bus, and I really dashed towards it just to take a ‘selfie.’ It was funny!”
Apart from My Love from the Star, the award-winning Kapuso is also busy with another show for GMA News TV called Everyday Sarap with CDO.
“I’m happy because we’re in our second season now. The first one was a success so here we are with a new offering. It’s definitely a gastronomic treat to the viewers.”
Many are asking if she’d have the chance to cook in the program.
“Ha-ha-ha! That’s a lovely idea but our guest chefs are tops. They know better for sure. I’m hats-off to their expertise, inputs and the twists they bring to the taste of each recipe.”
Even at home, she reveals, she hardly cooks nowadays.
“Much as I want to, I don’t have the time. Of course, I miss cooking for the family, specially for my growing son Alex Jazz. If there’s time, I do but at this point, my schedule is so tight,” ends Jennylyn.
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According to Kim Chiu, there’s awkwardness between her and former beau Gerald Anderson when they first reported on the set of their reunion soap opera Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin.
“I guess that’s understandable because the last time we worked together was some five years ago. In our first few taping days for our latest show, we really felt awkward because we’re not that super close as friends since we parted ways. We would just exchange ‘Hi’s!’ whenever we stumble upon each other on events or live shows like in ASAP.
“Then we were doing scenes in which we’re chummy-chummy with each other. It was just awkward. It’s not really easy, you know, specially we’re with other people who know what we’ve gone through in the past. The thing is we’re both professional. That helped us to do the scenes right,” she avers.
Their maturity level at this point is admirable.
“Yes, I think so! Our working relationship is fine—there’s no wall between us. We learned a lot from that bittersweet experience. Look at us now. It was providential that those things happened when we were still young.”
Seven years after their love story ended, Kim realized one important factor to completely heal and move on.
“Forgiveness. That’s the only thing that can make you genuinely happy. If you don’t know how to forgive, you’ll have a heavy baggage to carry in your life. You will get tired eventually.”
For the lovely actress, it’s essential to have peace of mind.
“As the old saying goes, ‘All’s well that ends well.’ Gerald and I are okay. At least, everybody’s happy,” states Kim.