LOOK: Luis, Jessy enjoy beach break

MANILA - Rumored sweethearts Luis Manzano and Jessy Mendiola took some time off to hit the beach.

On Instagram, Manzano posted a photo showing him and Mendiola in an undisclosed beach resort.

"Hi," Manzano wrote as the photo's caption.

Also on Instagram, Mendiola posted photos of her enjoying her beach break.


Early this month, Mendiola posted a photo showing her being hugged by Manzano.

The two celebrities were spotted together at the Star Magic Ball, but have yet to confirm if they are officially a couple.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Has Ian Veneracion split with wife? Manager reacts

MANILA -- The manager of Ian Veneracion has denied reports that the actor is now separated from his wife, Pam Gallardo.

The rumors circulated after a tabloid linked the 41-year-old actor to FHM magazine's "sexiest woman" Jessy Mendiola.

According to Veneracion's manager Ricky Gallardo, the actor and his wife merely shrugged off the rumors.

"Natatawa lang kami kasi nabasa namin 'yon sa isang tabloid. Tawanan lang kami kasi nagdi-dinner kami – ako, si Pam, si Ian. Natatawa rin lang silang mag-asawa," Gallardo said in an interview with Push.


Gallardo added that Veneracion's love for his family is so strong that he would even refuse job offers that might affect his image.

“Kapag apektado 'yong anak niya, apektado 'yong pamilya niya, hindi niya tatanggapin, kahit P500,000 or whatever pa yan,” the manager said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Xian Lim to do soap with Jessy Mendiola

MANILA -- Xian Lim admitted that he feels nervous doing a series with his new leading lady, Jessy Mendiola.

"Oo naman, of course [may kaba]," Lim told reporters in an interview on Thursday at the sidelines of the launching of his second album, "XL2."

Even if he has a new leading lady, Lim said he is confident that his fans will be there to show their support.

"Kaya po ako bilib sa kanila, kasi they always assure us na they will always be there for us, maski magkahiwalay yung project, nauna si Kim na magkaroon ng project ay nandito sila all throughout," said the actor, who rose to fame for his love team with actress Kim Chiu.



He added that he will work hard for his newest TV project.

"Siyempre naman po ay pagbubutihin namin. Pupunta kami sa set prepared. Siyempre hindi naman kami gigising na, 'ah wala lang ito.' We will do our best para sa lahat," he said.

Meanwhile, Lim said he is also set to do two movie projects with Chiu.

Their last project together was the hit movie "Bride for Rent."

"Nabalitaan ko nga nung last contract signing may dalawa kaming pelikula together, one with Ms. Ai Ai delas Alas and another one with [director] Joyce Bernal," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Jake intends to pursue Jessy

MANILA -- Jake Cuenca said he intends to continue courting Jessy Mendiola even after their drama series "Maria Mercedes" ends.

The ABS-CBN soap, a local adaptation of the telenovela starring Mexican superstar Thalia, will air its final episode on Friday after three-month run on primetime TV.

"Pinakamami-miss ko si Jessy pero mas makakabuti na rin siguro na matatapos na 'yung show kasi wala ng pressure," Cuenca said.

"Kung paano ako ngayon kay Jessy ay magiging ganoon pa rin ako kahit pagkatapos ng 'Maria Mercedes.' Mas magiging okay siguro ngayon kasi mas pribado na," he said.

The 26-year-old actor has been vocal of his admiration for Mendiola, saying at one point that the actress is "worth fighting for" amid reports that actor Sam Milby is also wooing her.

"Wala naman sa akin ‘yung ibang nanliligaw kay Jessy," Cuenca said. "Tulad ng sinabi ko dati, kikilalanin ko siya may Sam man o wala o kung maging kami man ni Jessy o hindi. Gusto ko mangyari ang mga bagay sa tamang oras, 'yung pareho na kami handa ni Jessy."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Jessy Mendiola to work during Christmas

MANILA – There is no time to feel the holiday blues for actress Jessy Mendiola as the actress revealed that she will be taping for her series, “Maria Mercedes,” even on Christmas Day.

But Mendiola said she is not complaining about her very hectic schedule because it reminds her of how blessed she is.

“Very busy. I think I have to tape on Christmas. We are really trying to fix our schedules. The season we are taping right now is airing. It’s okay. We really have to do it,” she said.

Because of the success of "Maria Mercedes," Mendiola said it doesn't matter that she doesn’t have a special someone during the Yuletide season.

“Sa mga nangyayari sa akin this year, sobra sobra na ang blesings. Warm na ang aking Pasko,” she said, noting that she’s surrounded with good people.

Meanwhile, Mendiola also addressed rumors that her suitor, actor Sam Milby, is planning to introduce her to his parents.

“Not yet, wala pa ang parents niya. Darating pa lang on Christmas yata or sa New Year. Kung ipapakilala, then ipakilala. If not, okay,” she said.

Mendiola said she has been busy in the past months that she and Milby didn’t have the chance to see each other for almost two months.

“Kakatapos lang ng ‘Call Center Girl,’ tapos ongoing 'yung hand-to-mouth taping namin ng 'Maria Mercedes,' so hindi pa kami talaga nakakapagkita,” she said.

Mendiola, however, said Milby made sure to surprise her on her birthday last week.

Aside from Milby, Mendiola is also being linked to her “Maria Mercedes” leading man Jake Cuenca.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Teng brothers challenge Jake Cuenca for Jessy

MANILA -- Besides stealing the hearts of many Filipino TV viewers, "Maria Mercedes" lead star Jessy Mendiola has also been capturing the eye of top celebrities.

Co-star Jake Cuenca, actor Sam Milby and even the "double-trouble brothers" Jeric and Jeron Teng have all expressed interest in the sexy actress.

Which leads to the question, who will Mendiola choose?

In an interview on "Buzz ng Bayan" that aired on Sunday, Jeric challenged Cuenca to a basketball showdown to see who is the better man.

"Wala tayong masabi kay Jake kasi alam natin na Jake is Jake. Pero tingan natin," he said. "Puwede, basketball na lang?"

His brother Jeron added, "Depende na lang kay Jessy, siyempre. Siya na lang mamili. Bakit ako magpapatalo?"

In a separate interview, Cuenca accepted the challenge of the brothers but also dared them to a game of soccer.

"Game ako mag-bastketball kung game rin kayo mag-football," the actor replied.

"Love isn't a game and kung seryoso ka sa tao, hindi mo dapat ganun tinitingan. Kung sino makakapagpasaya kay Jessy, that's the best man," he added.

The 24-year old beauty, however, said Milby probably has the best chance since the actor was the first one to openly admit his interest.

"For me kasi kapag nanliligaw ang isang tao, sasabihin niya talaga sa iyo na, 'I'm courting you,'" she said. "Siya 'yung umamin pero ganoon din, wala rin. Hindi naman kami."

Milby earlier said that he likes Mendiola because of her simplicity and beauty.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Jessy is Korea's honorary ambassador for tourism

MANILA -- "Maria Mercedes" star Jessy Mendiola has been tapped by South Korea to be its honorary ambassador for tourism, a position earlier held by the likes of K-pop superstars Psy and Jay Park.

The 20-year-old actress left for the country on Tuesday night to attend her ceremonial appointment to the position, which will be conferred on her by the Korean Tourism Organization (KTO).

Mendiola, according to an ABS-CBN statement released Wednesday, will immediately attend to her duties as ambassador. This includes a five-day trip to famous tourist destinations in South Korea, and a meeting with KTO chairman Charm Lee.

As an honorary KTO ambassador, Mendiola will take active part in promoting Korea's tourism to the Philippines.

KTO, on its official website, is described as a government organization that was set up to promote Korean tourism. It is said to have some 27 branch offices internationally.

Previous honorary ambassadors appointed by KTO include Psy and Jay Park, among other Korean personalities, Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan, renowned saxophonist Kenny G, French taekwondo master Roger Piarulli and American actress Moon Bloodgood.

"Isang karangalan ito, and masaya [ako] na napili ako ng KTO," said Mendiola, who has visited the country several times for personal and work-related engagements. "Mabait sa akin ang mga Korean and napamahal na rin ako sa kanila."






Late last year, Mendiola gained popularity in Korea after she appeared in the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) program "Word Date with Shinee," which featured eight ladies from different countries in a meet-and-greet with the popular K-pop boy group.

According to Mendiola, she started getting recognized in Korea after her stint in the show. At the time, the Kapamilya actress said she is open to do more projects there.

Mendiola has since become one of the Philippine endorsers of LINE, a popular Korean mobile messaging platform.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Jessy vows to step up acting in 'Maria Mercedes'

MANILA – Jessy Mendiola feels “extremely pressured” now that her series “Maria Mercedes” is set to air its pilot episode on Monday.

Portraying the title role which was originally played by Thalia, Mendiola told “The Buzz” host Toni Gonzaga on Sunday that she constantly feels the need to live up to the Mexican superstar's performance.

“These past few days, sobrang pressured ako and nervous. Kada sayaw ko, kinakabahan ako kasi si Thalia 'yun eh. Aminin naman nating lahat na napakaganda ni Thalia at sinasabi nila na nagpatanggal daw ng ribs, sobrang sexy niya. Ako 'yung Pinoy remake ng Maria Mercedes. I really have to do my best kasi I don’t want to lose the trust na binigay sa akin ng management,” she said.

Saying she considers this a big project, the 20-year-old actress vowed to give what viewers deserve as the new series re-tells the original story with a twist to cater to its target audience.

“Gusto ko din magustuhan ng mga tao 'yung pinaghirapan ng production at ng mga artistang kasama ko,” she said.

According to Mendiola, she didn't have a hard time playing Maria Mercedes because they have a lot of similarities.

“Si Maria Merccedes ay isang simpleng babae na gagawin ang lahat para sa pamilya niya at sa pag-ibig. Kung sino ako in real life, kaya din ako nasa posisyon na ito dahil sa family. She’s very strong, she’s very sweet sa family but she’s also vulnerable. Hindi siya parating matapang. Humihina din siya pagdating sa problema sa pamilya niya. Sobrang nakaka-relate ako,” she said.

Mendiola shared that the ABS-CBN management had her undergo a number of workshops so she could fit into the role perfectly.

Aside from the series’ storyline, Mendiola also gave credit to her directors, Chito Rono and Rechie del Carmen.

Joining Mendiola in the upcoming Kapamilya series are Jake Cuenca, Jason Abalos, Vina Morales, Dominic Ochoa, Nadia Montenegro and Vivian Velez.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Jessy, Matteo end 'special' relationship

MANILA, Philippines -- Actress Jessy Mendiola and actor Matteo Guidicelli have agreed to end their special relationship.

Mendiola also clarified that she and her "Paraiso" leading man were never officially a couple.

"Muntik na. Sayang naudlot. Ako din parang 'anong nangyari?'" Mendiola admitted on Wednesday during the press conference for her upcoming series "Maria Mercedes."

Mendiola became close to Guidicelli while doing the afternoon series "Paraiso," which ended its run last April.

"Palagi kaming lumalabas after ng 'Paraiso' at ang daming nagsasabi na 'hala baka pagkatapos ng 'Paraiso' tapos na ang paraiso.' So sa akin siguro on hold muna ang paraiso, Maria Mercedes muna tayo. Para sa akin, napag-desisyunan naming dalawa, mutual na trabaho lang muna," she said, referring to her upcoming series, a remake of the Mexican telenovela that starred Thalia in the title role.

Mendiola but was quick to say that she's not closing her doors to the actor-athlete.

"Kasi we are friends naman ni Matteo and we still talk. ...Happy din ako para sa kanya kasi ang dami niyang trabaho ngayon. Kung pagsasabayin naming lahat baka mabaliw na siya at mag-swim and bike siya away from me," she said, referring to Guidicelli's current sport, triathlon, which combines swimming, biking and running.

Mendiola also denied that Guidicelli broke up with her over the phone. She also clarified her decision to delete all her photos with the actor on her social media accounts and unfollow him on Twitter.

"'Yung sa isyu ng deleting of pictures and unfollowing sa Twitter ...gusto ko lang. Wala lang, dinilete lang, in-unfollow ko lang. Ngayon okay na kami, tingnan natin," she said.

"'Yung sa text at tawag, paano kami magbi-break up eh naudlot nga? Okay sana kung naging kami. 'Yung breakup, I think he is not the person who will do that. Marami lang tao siguro na nagki-create ng story," she added.

Mendiola also stressed that singer-actress Sarah Geronimo had nothing to do with their alleged "break-up."

"Nahihiya nga ako kay Sarah kasi palagi na lang siya ang nadadawit sa pangyayaring ito. May nagti-tweet sa akin nagagalit. Hindi po siya kasali. Siguro nagkataon nagkaroon sila ng show in the States and wala, ayaw ko siyang isama sa nangyayari kasi hindi naman po talaga," Mendiola said.

Asked if she regrets ending her special relationship with Guidicelli, Mendiola replied: "Baka naman matuloy pa. So bakit naman ako manghihinayang? At least ang pangarap ko ngayon (na maging Maria Mercedes) ay natuloy na talaga. Dito ko binabaling lahat, I think it's a sign from God 'hey you have to focus on your career, your work.' Kasi sunod-sunod lahat, TVCs, the show."

Mendiola also believes that right now, she does not need love life to feel complete.

"I think that could wait. I can put my love life on hold but 'yung career kapag nawala ay mahirap bumalik. 'Yung love, iyak mo lang 'yan," she advised.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Jessy Mendiola's sister to also join showbiz

MANILA, Philippines -- Showbiz boasts of several siblings such as Toni and Alex Gonzaga, Vina Morales and Shaina Magdayao and Anne Curtis and Jasmine Curtis-Smith.

Add Jessy Mendiola and sister Pam to the list after the "Paraiso" actress announced on Thursday that her older sister will soon join showbiz as well.

"Ate ko is entering showbiz," Mendiola told "KrisTV" host Kris Aquino. "Sabi niya, 'I'm going to try it out pero if it doesn't work then I'll go somewhere else.'"

Unlike Jessy who is with ABS-CBN, Pam signed up with Viva Entertainment.

"She's starting out and I can see myself sa kanya. Kasi when I was starting out ganun na ganun din siya. Sabi ko, 'Kaya mo 'yan andito lang ako para alagaan ka,'" Jessy said.

In the interview, Jessy, who's a high school graduate, also said she doesn't plan to stay in showbiz forever, which is why she plans to finish her education.

"I'm not planning naman to stay in showbiz forever. I mean I want my own family, I want a normal life. For me, parang feeling ko hindi ko carry na pagsabayin lahat," she said.

"My mom told me you have to pursue your education too. Ngayon, yes, there are opportunities, this is your bread and butter and everything. But showbiz isn't forever, so you should have a fallback or you should know what to do right after showbiz," she added.

On Matteo

Meanwhile, Jessy also admitted that she already met the parents of rumored boyfriend and "Paraiso" co-star Matteo Guidicelli.

But when asked if she's now close to Guidicelli's mother, the young actress replied: "Hindi naman po siguro, nahihiya naman ako (sagutin). I've been to their house a lot of times (in Alabang)."

Jessy recently joined Guidicelli  and his family for the actor's  birthday celebration.

"We did feeding program for Matteo. He does that every year, every time he celebrates his birthday. It was his birthday last March 26. It was a surprise for him because he didn't know that I was coming," she said.

Without confirming if she and Guidicelli are now officially a couple, Jessy also said she's happy with her life right now.

"Happy, happy lang," she said. "Before I used to think too much, always cry and paranoid of everything. Then I realized this is life. I mean you have to make mistakes,  you have to learn but at the same time you have to embrace it, you are growing up.

"I realized that if I want to work hard  I should also be happy with what's happening to me. I think that's where contentment and happiness comes in. I'm happy with my life right now. Paraiso really did a lot for me and I met new people, new friends and I'm happy with my family right now," she said.

source: abs-cbnnews.com