Jennylyn Mercado may have spent more than two decades building her name as one of GMA Network’s leading actresses, but music remains an integral part of who she is.

With the release of ‘JEN Deluxe’ under Star Music, Jennylyn is putting the spotlight back on her singing career and reintroducing herself as the artist and performer she has become today.

“Kasi nasa DNA ko na siya,” Jennylyn said during the album launch in Quezon City. “Music is my first love and siguro, kahit saan ako dalhin ng kapalaran, I will always return to music. Ito ako e, ito ang passion ko.”

Long before winning the first season of ‘StarStruck’ in 2003 and becoming a television and movie star, Jennylyn was already performing in lounges and bars.

“Parang sa pamilya kasi namin hindi puwede na hindi ka marunong kumanta,” she recalled.

Throughout her career, Jennylyn continued recording music and released songs such as ‘Sa Aking Panaginip,’ ‘Basta’t Nandito Ka,’ and ‘Kahit Sandali.’

Her recording career eventually took a back seat as acting projects and family life became her priorities.

“Naging busy rin talaga ako with so many things. Sunod-sunod ang naging trabaho and, of course, we got a new member of our family, Dylan. So, nag-focus ako sa family,” she explained.

“Para sa akin kasi ang music, gaya ng acting, andiyan yan e, puwede mong balikan. Pero yung panahon mo sa pamilya, lalo na sa mga bata, hindi mo na maibabalik yan e.”

Despite being identified with GMA Network throughout most of her showbiz career, Jennylyn entrusted her latest musical chapter to ABS-CBN Music.

When asked why, she gave a straightforward response.

“Wala namang ibang mapagkakatiwalaan,” Jennylyn said.

“Pagdating sa music, they are the best in the business. Talagang wala po akong masabi.”

The collaboration is not Jennylyn’s first project with ABS-CBN. In 2016, she starred opposite John Lloyd Cruz in the Star Cinema romantic comedy ‘Just the 3 of Us.’

Jennylyn, who is managed by Aguila Entertainment, also praised the team behind Star Music for how they handled her new project.

“Lahat po ng nakatrabaho ko sa Star Music, ang sarap po talaga. Very professional. Si Sir Jonathan, ang sarap katrabaho,” she said, referring to ABS-CBN Music executive and producer Jonathan Manalo.

Jennylyn particularly credited Manalo for guiding her throughout the creation of ‘JEN Deluxe.’

“Ang husay. Si Sir Jonathan, tinutukan ako. Grabe po. I love you, Sir. Simula sa umpisa ng album hanggang sa pagtatapos, nandiyan siya. Very patient at napakahusay po talaga,” she said.

Manalo, ABS-CBN Music’s assistant vice president and head of creatives, content, and operations, likewise praised Jennylyn for the preparation and dedication she brought to the recording process.

“I just wanna say congratulations. Maraming beses ko na rin sinabi na thank you sa passion, sa talent, sa dedication that you’ve given habang ginagawa natin itong album,” he said.

According to Manalo, Jennylyn consistently arrived at recording sessions already familiar with the material.

“Alam niyo po, si Jen never dumating sa studio namin ever na hindi prepared. Lagi siyang dumarating na alam na alam niya na ang mga songs,” he shared.

“At never akong nahirapan i-coach si Jen actually kasi talaga namang very natural ang singing talent ni Jen,” he added.

Manalo also believes Jennylyn’s experience as an actress gives her an advantage when interpreting songs.

“Alam na niya ‘yung klaseng emotion na ibibigay sa lyrics na nababasa niya. So pag kinanta niya, nandoon kaagad ang puso. So you feel every lyric that she sings,” he said, leaving Jennylyn emotional.

‘JEN Deluxe’ also marks a change in how Jennylyn approaches her music, as she was more involved in the creative process this time around.

“Na-excite talaga ako dito kasi for the first time, hands-on talaga ako sa music ko,” she said.

“Dati kasi yung process, pinapapili ka lang ng kanta then yung gusto mo, yun yung gagawin mo. With ‘Jen Deluxe,’ I was able to participate dun sa process, nakakatuwa.”

The eight-track project includes two new songs, ‘Tutuloy Pa Ba?’ and ‘Hindi Man Masabi,’ alongside previously released tracks ‘Paulit Ulit Kang Pipiliin,’ ‘Sa Gitna,’ ‘Hihintayin Kita,’ ‘Kung Nandito Ka Pa,’ ‘Ayaw Pang Umuwi,’ and ‘Hindi Pa Rin Sapat.’

Jennylyn said love in its different forms serves as the heart of the project.

“This is a story of love. Iba’t ibang klaseng pagmamahal—pagmamahal sa pamilya, sa sarili, pagmamahal sa craft, pagmamahal sa ibang tao, sa partner mo,” she explained.

‘JEN Deluxe’ also comes with a short film translating the music into a cinematic narrative inspired by Jennylyn’s own experiences.

“It’s about me, kung paano ako nagsimula, ang mga pinagdaan kong struggles at emosyon,” she said.

“Tsaka parang ano rin ito, reintroduction ko as a singer and performer na tipong ito na ako ngayon.”

After years of balancing acting, motherhood, and other commitments, Jennylyn is returning to the craft she considers her first love—not as the same singer who began her career years ago, but as an artist bringing her accumulated experiences into her music.

‘JEN Deluxe’ was released on digital streaming platforms on August 21.