MUSIC and cinema go hand in hand. And that’s what actress-singer Jennylyn Mercado served up with the deluxe version of her album Jen, under Star Music.
Being in the industry for decades, Jennylyn has routinely shown her acting chops as well as her musicality. This time, however, she decides to combine these two, making her album a cinematic experience with a streamlined story.
Premiering on August 22 on YouTube with the short film, also titled Jen, the story revolves around different ideas of love-self, parents, partner, children and others. It features six songs: ‘Hihintayin Kita,’ ‘Hindi Man Masabi,’ ‘Sa Gitna,’ ‘Ayaw Pang Umuwi,’ ‘Hindi Pa Rin Sapat’ and ‘Paulit-ulit Kang Pipiliin.’
The full album features eight tracks, adding ‘Tutuloy Pa Ba?’ and ‘Kung Nandito Ka Pa.’ The film tells a narrative about Jennylyn’s beginnings, sharing her dream of performing with her mother. Upon achieving this, it moves on to the story of love, revealing her husband and GMA star Dennis Trillo as part of the story.
At first, the romance was blooming, with Jennylyn even becoming open with her husband about her self-doubts in her music. However, not every love story sails smooth seas, as it transitions to troubled waters in their story, filling the story with nothing but silence.
Yet true love finds its way, as this rough patch comes to an end. The story resolves with Jennylyn meeting with all of the versions of herself, finding comfort in each other’s company.
Jennylyn shares that this project is close to her heart, as it is a personal narrative about her life. ‘Buhay ko ito, kung paano ako nagsimula, at ang mga pinagdaanan kong struggles at emosyon,’ shared Jennylyn.
You can enjoy Jennylyn Mercado’s album on streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music, while the short film and her music are available on YouTube.