Actress Jennylyn Mercado has experienced a lot of hardships in her life. By now, everyone knows she was abused as a child. She got pregnant at age 21 but broke up with her baby's father. Then, shortly after she gave birth, her father died of illness, and she found out her personal assistant had betrayed her. Intrigue continues to follow her even now. She was recently involved in a controversial breakup with actor Dennis Trillo, and her mother spoke against her after she gave a tell-all interview about her life on YES! Magazine. Yet despite all of this, Jennylyn remains an optimistic person with a zest for life.
In the July 2011 issue of Good Housekeeping, Jennylyn talks about how her experiences have made her a stronger, more confident woman. She's a proud mom to baby Alex Jazz, and she's turning into a force to be reckoned with when it comes to acting. Read on to see what five important lessons you can learn from this empowered woman.
1. STAY HUMBLE.
Despite being a successful actress, Jennylyn admits that she still prefers leading a simple life. “Simple lang naman kasi ako eh. Kung ano ’yung mga gusto ko dati, ’yun pa rin ’yung mga gusto ko ngayon. Simpleng buhay. Kasi di ba sa lifestyle ng mga artista, kailangan malaki ang bahay, ganito, ganyan. Pero ako, as much as possible, gusto ko maging simple lahat para mas maging normal. (I'm a simple person. Whatever things I liked before are the same things I like now. Some artists' lifestyles involve getting big houses, but I want things to be as simple as possible.)”
2. WORK ON CONSTANTLY IMPROVING YOURSELF.
While a lesser woman would have succumbed to the trials life has thrown at her, Jennylyn just channels all her negative emotions into making herself a better actress. "Kasi ang dami kong napaghuhugutan ng emotions. I think blessing na rin ’yun na dumating ’yung mga ’yun sa buhay ko, kasi nakakatulong siya sa work ko ngayon (I have a lot of experiences to pull emotions from. I think it's a blessing for me to have gone through so much in life because, right now, they're helping me with work)," she tells Good Housekeeping.
3. ALWAYS STRIVE FOR BALANCE IN LIFE.
Jennylyn is currently busy with so many showbiz projects, but she doesn't let that get in the way of her home life with baby Jazz or her own personal time. She brings Jazz with her to work whenever she's allowed, especially to her Party Pilipinas shows every Sunday. She also makes sure to schedule breaks. "Kapag feeling ko sobrang overworked na ako, I say, ‘Tita, I have to rest, kasi I also need time for myself and for my family."
4. LIVE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.
Jennylyn keeps herself fit by constantly taking up new sports. She's taken up jiu jitsu and muay thai (boxing), and she's excited to keep learning more physically demanding exercises. "Nung nagkaroon ako ng break after ng soap ko, nag-enroll na ako. Kinareer ko na, kasi gusto ko rin matutunan ’yung sport, at gusto ko lang maiba. (When I got a break after my soap, I enrolled in new sports. I made sure to do them well because I really wanted to learn, and I wanted to be different.) Nag-trail biking din kasi ako dati, I run, and I swim."
5. DON'T BE AFRAID TO RELY ON YOUR LOVED ONES.
Having a strong support group has helped Jennylyn develop her self-confidence and become the strong woman she is today. She shares that her mom taught her to be God-fearing, and her loved ones have always been behind her since day one. "Talagang naka-back up sila sa akin. Lalo na ’yung mga friends ko outside the business. Sobrang laki ng tulong nila. As in, nung mga times na sobrang down ako, dito sila natutulog sa bahay, talagang binabantayan nila ako (They always have my back, especially my friends who aren't from showbiz. They helped me so much. When I was really down, they even slept over and watched over me)."
To read more about Jennylyn's life as a strong woman and a devoted single mom, grab a copy of Good Housekeeping's July 2011 issue out on stands now!
Also in this issue: - Smart Money Moves
- How to Get Angry Effectively
- Restaurant Copycats: Cook Your Fave Restaurant Dishes at Home
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(Photo by Sara Black)
Want to read more articles about Jennylyn? Check these out:
- Do you believe Jennylyn Mercado’s allegations of neglect on her mother’s part?
- Jennylyn Mercado talks about her breakup with Dennis Trillo in YES! exclusive
- Jennylyn’s Manager: “Jen needs time alone” + 10 Things to Do While Recovering from a Breakup
- Jennylyn Mercado Shares 5 Tips on Staying Positive
- Jennylyn Mercado and Dennis Trillo break up + 3 Tips for Keeping Your Fights in Perspective
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