After a five-year break from the limelight, actress Jessy Mendiola has officially returned to ABS-CBN’s Star Magic, signing a new contract on Tuesday, July 2.
The contract signing event was attended by ABS-CBN’s Chief Operating Officer for Broadcast Cory Vidanes, Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi, and talent manager Alan Real.
Mendiola, accompanied by her husband, actor-host Luis Manzano, admitted to feeling nervous during the event. “Grabe kinakabahan ako, hindi ko alam kung bakit. Five years akong nawala,” she confessed.
Reflecting on her unexpected comeback, Mendiola shared, “Parang tinanggap ko na hindi na ako babalik and that’s okay with me kasi I am really happy with, of course, my family. Sabi nga niya (Luis), wind beneath his wings, ‘di ba? Pero talagang hindi ko ini-expect and I am really, really grateful. Kasi of course si Itay (Dyogi) si Kuya A (Real), si Tita Cory, sila Sir Carlo (Katigbak) parang tinaggap nila ako after a very long time. I think dito naman talaga, this is my home and it feels good to be back. I am very grateful.”
Following the contract signing, Mendiola expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported her. “Grabe, I feel very special. Hindi ko ini-expect na ganoon kadami ang nagmamahal sa akin. Grabe, nagiging emotional ako. I am very grateful talaga. Tulad nang sinabi ko kanina I wasn’t expecting na babalik ako. Grabe ‘yung support system ko. Grabe siya. Kagabi pa lang sinasabi ko I am super anxious and nervous kasi it’s been five years since my last big event and seeing you guys here, I am just really happy and grateful to be back home. ABS-CBN has always, you know, has my back at palagi niyo akong inalagaan. And Star Magic hindi pa rin talaga nagbabago ang alagaan. … To everyone, it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Finally natupad ‘yung dream ko na magkaroon ng family. Ngayon ‘yung dream naman ni Jessy ang itutuloy ko,” she said.
Mendiola had previously announced her plans to return to work in 2024. In a past interview, she expressed her wish to collaborate with her mother-in-law Vilma Santos, work again with Jericho Rosales, and pursue a project with Kapuso star Dingdong Dantes.
