Jennylyn Mercado

Posted by chris on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 in Jennylyn Mercado, the sexy winner of StarStruck | No comments

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.

In May 4, 1991, when she was nearly four years old, she made headlines as a battered child. The assailant was her stepfather, who burned her skin with cigarette butts and put a flat iron on her back. Her mother, who was then working in Dubai as a domestic helper, immediately came home not to rescue her daughter, but to bail out her partner, who was in detention. Her life story was featured in the TV drama series Magpakailanman on October 14, 2004. Jennylyn is now the official spokesperson of the Bata Foundation (Christian Mission Services), a non-governmental organization. Her mother migrated to London and had her own family.

Mercado's aunt, Lydia Mercado then became her legal guardian.

When her biological father, Noli Pineda, now 50, came home from Korea, reports came out saying that he was asking for money from his now self-sufficient daughter (an accusation she has strongly denied, insisting that her father wanted her to use his surname Pineda). She and her biological father, who is based in Korea still keep in touch.

Mercado studied at Augustinian Abbey in Las Piñas from Prep to 4th year High School. On the April 3, 2004 episode of Startalk, a Philippines-based talk show, Jennylyn admitted that she suffers from a heart ailment which prohibits her from becoming too tired, overly excited, or angry.

She is the former girlfriend of co-StarStruck survivor Mark Herras. She is currently a few months pregnant with a love child by ex-boyfriend Patrick Garcia, who has reportedly distanced himself upon learning of the pregnancy.

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, she has appeared in soap operas Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay with Lorna Tolentino in (ABS-CBN), Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw and Nagmamahal, Manay Gina, where she appeared three times.

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.

Jennylyn appeared on the cover of the January 2008 issue of FHM Philippines.

Supposedly she was unknowigly pregnant during the shoot.

Jennylyn works hard for son's future

Jennylyn Mercado is more focus right now with her showbiz career for her son AJ.

Jennylyn, who sported a toned body during her contract signing with Viva Entertainment, said she's really working hard for her son's future.

"Nagiipon ako at nagtatarabaho ako at nagsa-save ako for Aj's future (I am saving and working very hard for AJ's future)," she said.