JENNYLYN Mercado opened up about her blended family setup with husband Dennis Trillo and his former partner Carlene Aguilar, saying it is good for the children to be surrounded by love from both sides.
Mercado shared with select members of the press during her recent contract renewal with a beauty brand that she and Aguilar have already developed a good relationship over the years.
“Naging friends na kami ni Carlene. May communication kami once in a while,” she said.
The actress added that she believes children benefit from having more parental figures caring for them.
“Mas maganda kasi dalawa ‘yung mommy ni Calix. Si Jazz naman dalawa ‘yung daddy niya. Nakakatuwa na pareho silang naaalagaan, tini-treat din ni Dennis si Jazz na sa kaniya talaga galing,” she said.
Trillo and Aguilar share a son named Calix, while Mercado and Trillo have a daughter named Dylan. Mercado also has a son, Jazz, with former partner Patrick Garcia.
Mercado, Trillo, and Aguilar, recently celebrated the gold medal victory of Calix at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 88 fencing tournament.
Meanwhile, Mercado also spoke about raising her first child, Jazz, who is on the autism spectrum, admitting that parenting comes with challenges.
“Hindi madali pero kinakaya. Sa ngayon, ang dami nang pwedeng gawin. Marami nang science. May therapy. May mga school. So ngayon hindi na pwedeng hindi mo tutukan kasi napakaraming pwedeng makatulong,” she shared.
The Kapuso actress also revealed that she and Trillo still have one frozen embryo stored in Texas, leaving the possibility open for another child in the future.
“Mayroon pa ko talagang isang boy na buo na (embryo), nasa Texas. So, kung maisipan ko man magka-baby uli, siya na lang,” she said. “Pero sana hindi pa ako ganoon katanda kapag ginamit namin ‘yun.”
When asked whether she would prefer to use the embryo or try for a natural pregnancy again, Mercado said either way would be welcome.
“Galing din naman po sa amin ‘yun, binuo lang ng siyensya. Pero kahit anong ibigay, kasi si Dylan naman isang malaking blessing ‘yun na di namin inaasahan, so kahit ano po,” she said.
Mercado further shared that she and Trillo decided to freeze their egg and sperm cells in 2021 because she previously had difficulty getting pregnant.
Despite having another embryo available, the actress said they are currently focused on raising their daughter Dylan.
“Sa ngayon kasi ine-enjoy pa namin si Dylan, gusto pa namin siya tutukan maganda na naka-focus kami sa kanya. Kasi, ‘yung mga kuya niya mga binata na,” she said. (Jessica Ann Evangelista © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
