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Jennylyn Anne Pineda Mercado also known as Jennylyn Mercado (born May 15, 1987 in Las Piñas City, Metro Manila, Philippines) is a Filipina actress and singer. She was the winner of the first season of StarStruck, a reality-based talent search show of GMA Network in the Philippines.

[edit] Career

Jennylyn started out as a recording artist, in 1999, with Alpha Records through the recommendation of her voice coach Susanna Pichay. She was with the singing group G4 of Nonoy Tan. Unfortunately, two of the co-members did not continue on so the group and the planned album was scrapped. But the group was able to record two songs. After G4, she went into modeling and landed an endorsing stint with Bambini cologne and a Ponds television advertisement. She also made it to the elite Circle of 10 modeling search along with fellow StarStruck member, Dion Ignacio winning the Ms. Photogenic title. Prior to joining StarStruck.

In 2003, Mercado joined the reality show StarStruck and together with Mark Herras were proclaimed the winners of the show. Each of them received one million pesos plus exclusive contracts from GMA Network. After winning StarStruck, she has appeared in several films including So Happy Together and the teen-flick Let the Love Begin. In television, she has appeared in the fantasy soap opera Encantadia, I Luv NY, Now and Forever, entitled Dangal and Super Twins.

She released her first album Living the Dream containing original compositions by composer Vehnee Saturno and a carrier single titled "Kahit Sandali". In May 2006, Mercado released her second album, Letting Go which included the single "Sa Aking Panaginip" by Vehnee Saturno. Her first major concert was held on May 15, 2006 at the Music Museum in Greenhills.

Last May 15, 2009, she had her birthday concert at The Music Museum, entitled, I am Woman with guest stars Ogie Alcasid, Janno Gibbs, Richard Poon and Mark Herras. The concert ran for three hours and it was a Sold Out affair.

Jennylyn is also considered for the role of Jessie Han in the remake of the Koreanovela Full House, and as Jodi in another remake of a Koreanovela, Stairway to Heaven. But it was soon later confirmed that Rhian Ramos will play Jodi in Stairway to Heaven and Heart Evangelista to portray the role of Jessie Han in Full House respectively.

[edit] Personal life

She is the former girlfriend of co-StarStruck survivor Mark Herras. They started dating on April 29, 2004 and broke up on September 2005. She became pregnant by her ex-boyfriend Patrick Garcia, who, reportedly, has distanced himself upon learning about the pregnancy. On August 16, 2008, she gave birth, via Caesarian section (8-9 p.m.) to an 8.12 pound (3.68 kg) baby boy at St. Luke's Hospital, Quezon City. Her child's name is Alex Jazz "AJ" Mercado. ^[1][2][3]

In May 4, 1991, when she was nearly four years old, she made headlines as a battered child. Her assailant was her stepfather, who burned her skin with cigarette butts and whacked her back with a flat iron. Her mother, who was then in Dubai working as a domestic helper, immediately came home. She came not to take care of her daughter, however, but to bail out her partner, who was in detention.^[4]

Mercado's life story was featured in the TV drama series Magpakailanman on October 14, 2004. She is now the official spokesperson of the Bata Foundation (Christian Mission Services), a non-governmental organization.

[edit] Filmography

[edit] Television

[edit] Movies

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] Awards

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Jennylyn Mercado at the Internet Movie Database