Ultimate Star Jennylyn Mercado continues to be a loyal Kapuso as she renewed her exclusive contract with GMA Network, Inc. last July 26.
Present during the contract signing were GMA Network Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Felipe L. Gozon; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong; Senior Vice President for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable; Vice President for Drama Productions Redgie A. Magno; Vice President for Business Development and Department III Darling de Jesus-Bodegon; Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara; Assistant Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy; Senior Program Managers Ali Nokom Dedicatoria, Cathy Ochoa Perez, and Charles Koo; and Jennylyn’s manager Katrina Aguila.
“Iba magmahal ‘yung GMA. Parang pamilya, nararamdaman ko ‘yung pagmamahal nila at suporta nila. Sa loob ng 16 years na ‘yun, ang dami kong ups and downs, pero talagang nandiyan sila at hindi nila ako pinabayaaan. Pakiramdam ko hindi ko masusuklian ‘yung pagmamahal at suporta nila sa akin,” Jennylyn shared.
The prime Kapuso actress is extremely grateful to everyone who has been supporting her for many years, “Hindi ko ma-explain, kakaiba ‘yung pakiramdam pag nakikita mo sina Mr. Gozon, Ms. Lilybeth, at Mr. Yalong. Parang magulang talaga. Iba ‘yung yakap. Parang na-miss ko ‘yung nanay at tatay ko, ganoon ‘yung pakiramdam. Pag nandiyan sila, nararamdaman ko ‘yung pagmamahal nila. Ibang klase ‘yung warmth. Matagal ko na silang kasama and hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin sila nagbabago.”
Jennylyn, who is a living paragon of StarStruck’s success, embodies what a true homegrown Kapuso is. The multitalented and award-winning actress shows no signs of stopping as she is also known to be a charming host, in demand commercial model and entrepreneur, and an effective influencer up to this day.
From her lovable role as a teenage superhero in Super Twins, her bida-kontrabida character as a woman with multiple personalities in Rhodora X, to her comical portrayal of Steffi in the Pinoy remake of My Love from the Star – Jennylyn has proven her versatility as an actress in the entertainment industry. At present, she plays the role of Raffy in GMA’s hit primetime series, Love You Two and is also the host of the seventh season of GMA’s original reality-based artista search, StarStruck.
During the contract signing, Atty. Gozon expressed his utmost appreciation over Jennylyn’s unwavering loyalty towards the Kapuso Network, “We are so proud that as the first winner in our StarStruck program, you have reached the pinnacle of success in your craft as a Kapuso. Your passion and dedication are admirable, that is why you are now known as the Ultimate Female Survivor. We are grateful that you have chosen to remain as a Kapuso.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Yalong expressed his genuine support for the Ultimate Star,” “Si Jennylyn talaga ‘yung tinatawag nating homegrown talent. She started as the winner of StarStruck 1 and up to now, despite of, I think the effort of other companies to get her, nandiyan pa rin si Jennylyn and that shows na she has grown with the network. When GMA started hindi naman kami kalakihan, but now I can say that one of the biggest network companies in the Philippines is GMA and the same applies to Jennylyn. Kung titingnan niyo, we love Jennylyn so much that I think she will be with GMA forever.”
Rasonable has nothing but praises for Jennylyn and considers her as one of the talented and versatile artists of the network, “Ngayon kasi parang na-meet niya na ‘yung pinnacle of success as an artist but because she’s so talented, she can do more roles, more projects not only for drama. She’s such a good comedy actress, she’s a great host, she can sing, she can do anything. So nakakatuwa, it’s so gratifying and fulfilling for us who saw her growth from the time she won in StarStruck. Ang layo-layo na niya, ang dami na niyang na-achieve as a multimedia artist. So basta may talent ka, alam mo ‘yon na mapapalago mo pa ‘yan.” (30)
