The conclusion of GMA-7's Sine Novela Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak this week will not affect Jennylyn Mercado and Dennis Trillo's off-cam closeness.
Dennis and Jennylyn became very close while doing the TV adaptation of the critically-acclaimed 1990 drama film directed by the late Lino Brocka.
Both stars even disclosed that they are "exclusively dating" in an April 8 interview at the trade party of the Kapuso network staged at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
Two months after that revelation, Jennylyn says that they are still on that "getting-to-know-each-other" stage.
"Hindi pa rin naman dun natatapos 'yon, ang dami pa naming kailangang ma-discover sa isa't isa," she mentioned during a pocket interview last Tuesday, June 15, at the Executive Lounge of the GMA Network Center in Quezon City.
The actress-singer remains evasive when cajoled by the entertainment press to label their present status.
"Basta masaya po ako. May nagmamahal sa akin," smiled Jennylyn.
ON PATRICK AND CARLENE. Another source of constant joy for Jennylyn is her son with ex-boyfriend Patrick Garcia.
Alex Jazz, nicknamed AJ, was with Jennylyn during the press engagement.
Jennylyn and Patrick's falling out started while she was pregnant and carried over until the time she gave birth on August 16, 2008. The two ex-lovers continue to be "strangers" until now.
Patrick reportedly has yet to see in person his son, although Jennylyn maintained that she would welcome the actor should he decide to suddenly show up to meet AJ.
"Puwede naman po... Wala namang problema kung gusto niyang makita si AJ," said Jennylyn.
She continued, "Sa akin naman, walang problema and, di ba, kung gusto mo talaga, gagawa ka ng paraan."
Jennylyn also revealed that AJ and Dennis Trillo's love child with former beauty queen Carlene Aguilar, Calix Andreas, are constant "playmates."
"Hindi naman sila nag-aaway kasi may kanya-kanya naman silang laruan!" laughed Jennylyn.
Even Jennylyn's relationship with Carlene—who in the past had a well publicized rift with Dennis's then girlfriend Cristine Reyes—turned out pretty well.
"Okay naman po kami. Lagi kaming magka-text nun, tatanungin niya kung kumusta na si AJ. Minsan kasi may playground kami sa bahay so magte-text ako minsan, 'Dalhin ninyo ulit dito si Calix.' Tapos sasagot 'yon, 'Sige, sige, pero next time sama na ako.' Mabait naman 'yon [Carlene]," confided Jennylyn.
NO COMMENT ABOUT VJ ANDREI. Recently, MYX VJ Andrei Felix claimed that he and Jennylyn dated for "two years" although they were asked by their respective handlers to keep their personal relationship private to protect their careers. (CLICK HERE to read related story.)
"That time po kasi I was still with MYX and MYX was also asking me and they also made it clear to me that, you know, they also wanted to protect me na parang wholesome image, ganyan. Sabi nga, it would be better if, you know, I mean they didn't hinder me from my happiness or whatever. Pero sabi nila, 'Sana make it discreet,'" Andrei told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) contributor Rommel Gonzales in an interview last May 27 at ABS-CBN.
Jennylyn at the time, added Andrei, was also making a comeback after giving birth. And that her management team wanted the actress to focus solely on her drama series opposite former boyfriend and love team partner, Mark Herras.
PEP asked Jennylyn concerning Andrei's remarks but she refused to comment.
"Walang comment," Jennylyn politely begged off. "Ayoko na lang din patulan 'yang mga ganyang isyu kasi pag sinagot mo, lalaki lang lalo."