Luis Manzano on Jennylyn Mercado: 'Hirap nga kami magkita, paano pa kami magpapakasal?'

Rachelle Siazon

<div><img src='' alt='042713-luis_main.jpg' width='305' height='290' align='left' border='0'>While some of his friends have recently tied the knot, Luis Manzano maintained that settling down is far from his mind right now. He and girlfriend Jennylyn Mercado just renewed a three-year contract with their respective TV networks so he doesn’t see where marriage would fit into their lives for now. “<i>Hirap nga kami magkita, paano pa kami magpapakasal?</i> <i>Natatawa nga ako</i>, I’ve said this before in my previous interviews, there was an issue <i>na nagpakasal na kami</i>, <i>meron naman naghiwalay kami.</i> So<i> sabi ko</i> <i>bakit hindi magusap yung dalawang gumawa ng</i> issue? <i>Magkabilang dulo eh.</i> So <i>wala</i>, I have so many things to do, she has so many things to do, not just an artist but more importantly as a mother,” he said during his birthday press con last Thursday, April 25.</div><div><br/></div><div>Luis was also quick to refute rumors that they’re already living together. “<i>Bakit naman niya iiwanan si</i> Jazz (Alex Jazz, Jennylyn’s son with ex-boyfriend Patrick Garcia) ‘<i>di ba? Eh di gulong-gulo yung bata kung nasaan siya</i> [<i>kung sakaling isama niya</i>]. Of course <i>si</i> Tita (Jen’s mom) <i>pa nagaalaga rin.</i> <i>Paano magiging </i>live in? <i>Siyempre ang</i> priority<i> niya si </i>Jazz. <i>Mawala na lahat sa buhay niya, kahit ako mag</i>-break <i>kami</i>,<i> pero ang</i> priority <i>pa rin ni</i> Jen will always be Jazz, and I will forever respect and appreciate<i> na si</i> Jazz<i> ang</i> priority <i>niya.</i>”</div><div><br/></div><div>What’s good about their relationship though is that Luis maintains a close relationship with Jennylyn’s son who reportedly calls him “Dada”. To which the actor-host jokingly replied, “<i>Paminsan </i>[<i>tawag niya sa akin</i>] Tito, dada, brad, sis, bro, mars, marse,” much to the entertainment press’ laughter.</div><div><br/></div><div>Then he went on to explain why he’s still not thinking of raising his own family when he claims to be very fond of kids. “<i>Dati pa mahilig</i> <i>na ako sa bata.</i> Honestly, <i>ang sarap ng sabay kayo lumalaki</i>, at the same time <i>gusto ko ibigay yung buhay na my</i> child deserves. At this point, <i>siguro ngayon mabubuhay siya,</i> <i>pero mas maganda yung </i>future<i> na na</i>-envision <i>ko para sa magiging anak ko. </i>The only way to do that is through work. So <i>ang </i>priority <i>yun muna.</i>”</div><div><br/></div><div>On a lighter note, Luis revealed that Jennylyn gave him a very expensive watch as a birthday gift. “She gave me a very nice watch, very expensive. Watch fanatic <i>ako eh.</i> <i>Nagkataon na binigay niya sa akin isa sa mga</i> dream watch <i>ko.</i>  A month and a half ago <i>ko pa unang namataan yun. Sabi ko ang ganda nito ah. Yun pala</i> after two days<i> umorder na siya.</i>”</div><div><br/></div><div>Aside from that, the 32-year old said that he plans to keep on investing his hard-earned money rather than to purchase anything grand like a car as a reward to himself. As it is, his biggest investment so far is the renovation of the house given to him by his mom Vilma Santos. “After the house <i>may pinagiipunan ako. Meron pero </i>nothing grand for now. I’m happy with my home.<i> Sa akin kasi </i>my house is my biggest achievement <i>na rin naman. May gusto akong bilhin sana. Pero ilagay ko na lang sa </i>business <i>para</i> in the next two years <i>mas malaki mabibili ko. Ngayon kasi nandiyan pa, kumikita pa naman ako. Ang</i> business <i>ko pag nag</i>-retire <i>ako, dun ako kikita. Yung gagastusin ko para sa sarili ko.</i>” To date, Luis’ business ventures include his own taxi franchise and a garments manufacturing company.</div><div><br/></div><div>Asked if he also influences Jen to become more business-minded, Luis revealed that she’s actually in the process of putting up a business venture with some of her friends. “<i>Isa sa</i> partners <i>niya dun asawa ng kabarkada ko. Nakikita ko puspusan</i> meeting<i> nila. Ang galing ng</i> concept<i> nila</i>, I can’t reveal<i> kung ano</i> business <i>nila.</i> I’m happy for her. <i>Kasi sa</i> showbiz <i>ang dali kumita,</i> <i>pero</i> it’s where you put your money [that matters]. At least<i> maganda makikita mo na may kinapupuntahan yung pinaghirapan mo.</i>”</div><div><br/></div>

Luis Manzano talks about his relationship with Jennylyn Mercado, his closeness with her son Alex Jazz, and why he's not yet ready to settle down anytime soon.

Luis Manzano on Jennylyn Mercado: 'Hirap nga kami magkita, paano pa kami magpapakasal?' | PUSH.COM.PH