One of the things Jennylyn Mercado enjoys about being a mommy for the second time is that she gets to share parenting duties with husband Dennis Trillo.
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Describing Dennis as a father, she elaborated, "Di ko in-expect na ka-level ko yung pagka-hands on niya.
"Kahit galing taping, 1 a.m. umuwi ng bahay, di na matutulog kasi siya ang night shift.
"Ever since ganun kami, simula nung newborn si Dylan. Talagang di siya matutulog.
"Aantayin niya ako magising [sa umaga], tapos ako naman papatulugin ko naman [si Dylan]."
For a time, Jennylyn said, she and Dennis only had each other to depend on to look after their baby.
"Kasi bago mag-isang taon si Dylan, kami lang, e. Wala kaming yaya.
"Nung bumalik na si Dennis magtrabaho, 'Ay, kailangan na natin kumuha ng makakasama,' kasi di ko naman kaya mag-isa. Lalo lumilokot na, hinahabol ko na.
"Mine-make sure namin na di kami sabay na wala sa bahay. Kailangan isa sa amin meron.
"Good thing isa na rin management namin kaya naaayos nang mabuti yung sked."
Jennylyn got pregnant in July 2021, and she gave birth on April 25, 2022.
The Kapuso actress took a break for nearly two years before she went back to work in mid-2023.
The hiatus was a welcome change—something that she's really grateful for.
"Noon kasi, iba sitwasyon ko kay Jazz," said Jennylyn, referring to her eldest child Alex Jazz, her son with ex-boyfriend Patrick Garcia.
"Kailangan ko agad bumalik sa trabaho kasi wala naman ako katuwang. So, di ko masyado na-enjoy yung motherhood.
"Hands-on naman ako, pero siyempre, kailangan ko bumalik sa work. Ako yung breadwinner. Wala akong kasama.
"Pero ngayon, iba dahil kahit papaano meron akong katuwang. Meron ding nag-aalaga sa akin," she added, smiling.
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BACK TO WORK
Jennylyn was interviewed by a select group of entertainment press, including PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) after the presscon of Love. Die. Repeat, held at Luxent Hotel, Quezon City, on January 8, 2023.
Premiering on GMA-7 this Monday, January 15, Love. Die. Repeat marks Jennylyn's comeback on prime-time TV.
Her last series was the Pinoy remake of Descendants of The Sun in 2020.
Talking about getting back into shape for the project, Jennylyn said, "Mahirap po talaga kasi unang-una di naman na ako bata, e, na nanganak.
"Kay Jazz, nung nanganak ako, ang bilis ko naka-recover kahit na caesarian.
"Ngayon, kahit pagbubuntis ko ang hirap. Nakahiga lang ako. So medyo maselan.
"Tapos nag-gain talaga ako nang medyo malaki, kaya medyo nahiya ako mag-post sa social media.
"Matagal din bago ako nakabalik sa dati."
Read: Dennis Trillo at Joem Bascon, kumusta bilang stepdads sa ibang anak ng kanilang partners?
HER MOTIVATING FORCE
She thanked Dennis for being her number one supporter.
"Bago ako bumalik ibang klase. Di ko alam kung kaya ko ba bumalik.
"Yung nerbiyos ko kasi, parang isipin ko pa lang na bumalik nanginging na ako, e.
"Si Dennis yung life coach, 'Enjoy ka lang. Huwag isipin masyado.'"