Jennelyn and Luis not yet ready
(yahoo.omg)Jennylyn Mercado's lovelife is on the spotlight yet again after Kapamilya host Luis Manzano admitted last Saturday that he is indeed dating the Kapuso actress.
"We are definitely dating!" Luis said in an interview with "Entertainment Live" last Saturday, May 21. He also said: "Yung exclusively dating, hindi pa fully tackled 'yan sa aming dalawa, hindi pa namin talaga nauupuan 'yan at napag-uusapan. Pero siguro sa puntong ito, so far, everything has fallen into place."
Luis added: "I am very, very happy. She is a blessing." In a separate interview with "The Buzz" on Sunday, May 22, he talked more about his new date: "She's a very loving person, it translates to how she is and sa kanyang pagiging ina."
It can be remembered that last March, Jennylyn broke up with fellow Kapuso artist Dennis Trillo, her boyfriend for almost one year. Jennylyn has since explained the reason for the break-up in an exclusive tell-all interview with "Yes! Magazine."
For her part, Jennylyn said she feels "overwhelmed" to have Luis in her life right now.
"Masaya ako kasi nagkaroon ako ng kaibigan na katulad nya. And I'm so lucky and thankful na syempre andyan sya para bigyan ako ng smile sa aking face," she said in a live interview with "Showbiz Central" also on Sunday, May 22.
Jennylyn explained that she met Luis during her Jujitsu classes, which she took after her break-up; Luis was doing Muay Thai. Jujitsu is a Japanese close combat martial art, while Muay Thai is a combat sport that originated in Thailand.
Too early
The actress clarified, however, that while they are dating, she and Luis are not yet in a relationship.
"Syempre, hindi pa rin ako handa. And si Luis willing naman yun mag-intay," Jennylyn said.
She added, "Mag-intay tayo sa tamang oras, sa tamang panahon. In God's time."
But why isn't she ready to enter a relationship right now?
"Masyado pang maaga. Ilang months pa lang. Marami akong dapat asikasuhin. Kailangan kong unahin ang trabaho ko, pamilya ko. At hindi pa rin ako handa. Alam kong naiintindihan lahat ni Luis yan. Nagpapasalamat ako dahil talagang napaka-understanding nya at napakabait nyang tao," she told "Showbiz Central."
Still, although they're only dating as of now, Jennylyn said she feels lucky now that she has an ally, especially after the most recent storm in her life.
" I'm so grateful. I'm so thankful. I feel so blessed. Kaya, maraming maraming salamat, Luis," she said.
Jennylyn pretty much said the same thing in a statement sent to "The Buzz."
"Thanks Luis for the support and also for always making me laugh. You are the one that made me smile again. Thanks for that. Sa susunod na sparring natin ha, galingan mo na para di na kita matalo," part of the statement said.
In her "Showbiz Central" interview, Jennylyn enumerated how Luis has endeared himself to her.
"Yung humor nya. Sobra yung humor nya. Hindi sya pumapalya sa pagpapatawa sa akin. Talagang grabe yung tawa ko pag andyan sya," she said.
"Sobrang gentleman nya. He's the perfect gentleman," Jennylyn added.
At this point in their relationship, Luis said in his "The Buzz" that they call each other with special names, but won't reveal it yet. "Meron, may tawagan na kami. Pero sa amin na iyon. Very unique. Darating rin ang araw sa ganoong panahon para sa mga ganoong bagay pero meron," Luis said. He added that the names are related to how they have known each other.
Being the son of veteran actress and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, it is inevitable that Luis would be asked if he has already introduced Jennylyn to his mom. "It was a very casual encounter. Nag-dinner kami sa bahay kasama ng mga barkada ko kasi doon kami kapag holy week," Luis said. Prior to Luis' revelation of him dating Jennylyn, he was asked whether he followed Jennylyn in Boracay during the Holy Week. "Nakilala na ni Mom si Jen, very, very light. Wala namang "Mom, I want you to meet Jen." Wala naman ganoon. Ayaw ko rin na ilagay sa ganoong sitwasyon si Jen. Noong time na yun, it was very casual," he added.
Luis has also met Jennylyn's son with Patrick Garcia, Alex Jazz, during their martial arts trainings. "Pero hindi pa ako nagpapakilala bilang si Tito Luis. Medyo hindi pa naman kase that's not the right time for that. Ayoko rin naman i-invade ang kanyang personal space bilang bata. Ayokong i-presenta ang sarili ko na ganoon. Syempre, kung meron mang mabubuong pagkakaibigan between Jazz and I, darating din yon," Luis said.