As she reprises the role made famous by Mexican telenovela superstar Thalia, Jessy Mendiola said she feels honored to play the lead role in the Kapamilya remake of Maria Mercedes. “Siyempre sobrang saya ko and I'm very overwhelmed. Kinakabahan hanggang ngayon at hindi ko akalain na ma-pull off yung ganitong klaseng role so masaya talaga ako. Dito ako si Maria Mercedes, tatalakayin natin ang buhay ni Maria, yung pagsuporta niya sa mga kapatid niya simula pagkabata hanggang sa pagtanda niya at siyempre ma-i-in love din siya,” she shared.
Jessy said she is also lucky to be paired with new leading men Jake Cuenca and Jason Abalos. Jake has been vocal about his admiration for Jessy's beauty. “Talaga sinabi niya yun? Naku, suwerte din naman ako kasi nabigyan ako ng ganitong role at ng mga napakabait na leading men at sa Primetime pa kaya ang saya. Masaya naman kasi first time ko makatrabaho si Jake tapos si Jason nakatrabaho ko na siya before and kumportable na kami sa isa’t isa,” she said.
The pretty mestiza said she won't be surprised anymore if news will start to come out linking her and Jake. “Eh normal din naman kasi yun kaya okay lang din sa akin siguro. Kahit kanino naman eh, kahit kay Jason. Eh minsan nga kahit hindi ko nakakatrabaho na-li-link din ako eh (laughs),” she added.
After news broke that her former Paraiso co-star Matteo Guidicelli (whom she had admitted to dating) and Sarah Geronimo had started dating, Jessy said she wishes them nothing but the best. “Bakit naman ako magiging bitter? Mukha ba akong bitter? Baka better. (laughs) Eh di good for them. Okay naman, masaya ako para sa kanila. Masaya ako para sa kanya kasi matagal na din naman niyang crush si Sarah at finally nung nakatrabaho niya sa States, this is the chance na maka-close niya lalo so I’m very happy for the both of them. Labas na naman ako dun. Kung sila eh di sila,” she admitted.
After doing the hit afternoon soap together, Jessy admitted that she and Matteo are not in constant touch anymore. “Nagkita kami nung last TV commercial namin at saka presscon lang. Busy din kasi yata siya. Nag-te-training kasi siya for a triathlon. Congrats nga kasi balita ko nag-seventh place daw siya. Ako naman sobrang busy ko sa Maria Mercedes,” she said.
