"Wala namang ibang mapagkakatiwalaan."
That was Jennylyn Mercado's answer when PUSH ABS-CBN asked her why she entrusted her music career to ABS-CBN Music.
Jennylyn, who is managed by Aguila Entertainment, has been known as a Kapuso star for more than two decades. But this is not her first project with ABS-CBN. In 2016, she topbilled the Star Cinema film Just the 3 of Us with John Lloyd Cruz.
At the launch of JEN Deluxe at an art museum in Quezon City, Jennylyn had nothing but praise for the people behind Star Music, the flagship record label of ABS-CBN Music.
"Lahat po ng nakatrabaho ko sa Star Music, ang sarap po talaga. Very professional. Si Sir Jonathan, ang sarap katrabaho," she said.
Asked why she chose to work with ABS-CBN Music, she kept her answer direct to the point.
"Wala namang ibang mapagkakatiwalaan," she said. "Pagdating sa music, they are the best in the business. Talagang wala po akong masabi."
She then turned to Jonathan Manalo, the man behind the record, and thanked him in front of the crowd.
"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," Jennylyn said.
Jonathan, who serves as assistant vice president and head of creatives, content, and operations at ABS-CBN Music, returned the compliment.
"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 Jonathan, Jennylyn always walked into the studio ready, which made his job easier.
"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 said.
"At never akong nahirapan i-coach si Jen actually kasi talaga namang very natural ang singing talent ni Jen," he added.
Jonathan also said her instincts as an actress helped her inside the recording booth – a compliment that turned Jennylyn emotional.
"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.
JEN Deluxe drops at midnight on Friday, August 21.