Jennylyn Mercado credits adoptive mother Lydia for her 'gentle but strict' parenting style

Jennylyn Mercado said that her approach to parenting is inspired by her late adoptive mother, Mama Lydia.

In her cover story interview for the May issue of Cosmopolitan Philippines, the actress describes her parenting style as “gentle but strict,” because she was raised with tough love.

“Ngayon, nahihintindihan ko na kung bakit ganun ka-protective ‘yung mommy ko noon sa akin. Naiintindihan ko na kung bakit ako ganun dinisiplina. Ang hirap ng buhay, so hindi palaging lahat ibibigay, lahat madali. So para sa akin, thankful ako na napalaki ako ng ganoong way, kasi ang harsh ng life e,” she said.

Jennylyn also told the magazine that she is passing on the lessons and values Mommy Lydia taught her to her own children, to teach them how to be independent and brave as they get older.

“Parang ‘yun na ‘yung preparation mo para by the time na dumating sila sa age na medyo teen na sila or gusto na nila ng sarili nilang business o sarili nilang buhay, ‘di ba? Alam nga nila kung paano tumayo sa sarili nilang mga paa at hindi ‘yung babalik sila sa akin nang umiiyak. Parang maganda yung tine-train mo na sila habang bata pa lang,” she said.

The Kapuso Ultimate Star also talked about being a survivor of child abuse from her stepfather, and credited Mommy Lydia’s love and protection for helping her heal from it.

“Sa ngayon, hindi ko na siya talaga… kahit sumagi nang konti sa isip ko. Hindi ko na siya naiisip dahil si Mama Lydia, puno naman ako ng pagmamahal,” she said.

“Kahit na tough love, alam ko na secured ako. Alam ko na puno ng pagmamahal yung family namin. So, kahit na lumalaki ako noon, hindi ko talaga naisip na galing ako sa ganung klaseng abusive na family,” she added.

Jennylyn’s Mama Lydia passed away in 2016 at 74 years old due to sepsis secondary to pneumonia.

Jennylyn previously starred in “Love. Die. Repeat,” which was her comeback project.

She took some time off from showbiz when she married Dennis Trillo and gave birth to their daughter, Dylan.

Jennylyn and Dennis are set to star in their first movie together in 14 years, titled "Everything About My Wife," which is a romantic comedy and a Philippine adaptation of an Argentinian film.

The film is about a couple who always argue. Sam Milby will join the Kapuso stars.

Jennylyn also announced in 2023 that she is working on a new album, and got fans excited when she posted a photo of her recording session. —Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News