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