Jessy Mendiola

Six months following the birth of her first child, Isabelle Rose, actress-model Jessy Mendiola is now gearing up to take on her next venture.

On July 8, Jessy graced the grand opening of Manila Diamond Studio at Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong City, marking her first public appearance as a mother.

"First ever event ko ito and I told my family and management na I'm ready to go out na because it has been six months since magkaroon ako ng baby. So I think it's about time to work. Mudra na ako. Pag mother ka na, you have to prepare for your child's future. I'm ready to work and ready to be out there," said Jessy, during an interview after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

(This is my first event and I told my family and management that I'm ready to go out because it's been six months since I had a baby. So I think it's about time to work. I'm a mother. When you become a mother, you have to prepare for your child's future. I'm ready to work and ready to be out there.)

Jessy, 30, said that her fans are still supporting her despite her absence in showbiz.

"I'm so happy dahil kahit nawala ako sa TV and movies pansamantala, I'm still active in social media. People go to my YouTube Channel especially nung lumabas na so Peanut everyone has been so supportive. Lagi silang naka-abang like yung monthly photos ni Peanut kung ano'ng klaseng flower at color. So parang hindi rin ako nawala sa showbiz."

(I'm so happy because even though I'm gone from TV and movies for a while, I'm still active on social media. People go to my YouTube Channel especially when I introduced Peanut. Everyone has been so supportive. They're always waiting for Peanut's monthly photos of what kind of flower and color. So it's like I'm still in showbiz.)

Now that she's preparing for showbiz, Jessy said that she might consider a television series.

"Baka mag-mini series muna ako. This is the first month na magta-trabaho talaga ako. Sabi ko please, pag six months na saka na tayo mag-work. I'm so happy na yung mga brand, mga offers, endorsements, and pitching, they waited and sabi nila okay we will give you time. So ngayon naghahabol ako. Sabi ko gusto ko bumawi. So lahat ng dapat ko i-shoot this month, gagawin ko," she said.

(Maybe I will do a mini-series first. This is the first month that I will really work. I said before 'Please, after six months we can start working.' I'm so happy with the brands, offers, endorsements, and pitching, they waited and they said okay we will give you time. So now I am beating the deadlines. I said I want to make up. So everything I have to shoot this month, I will do it.)

Jessy Mendiola (left) and Alexa Ilacad

Jessy said that she and her husband Luis Manzano are excited for their first baby. Sometimes, she said, they get emotional about Peanut.

"Tumitili na siya. Pagpinapaliguan namin siya at pinapalitan ng diaper, naninipa na kasi malikot na s'ya. Tapos nag-start na siya ng solid food journey niya. Mixed emotions kami. Wow! Lumalaki na siya at 'yung progress niya amazing. Nalulungkot ako kasi I don't want her to grow up muna. Sabi nga ni Luis,'anak nagso-solid (food) ka na. Parang naiiyak din siya. Tapos tinignan niya ako. Sabi niya. No. 2? Sabi ko wait lang. Hello! Wala pang one year. Pero I am so amazed as a mother. Tutoo pala yun," she said.

(She's screaming. When we bathe her and change her diaper, she starts kicking because she's naughty. Then she starts her solid food journey. We have mixed emotions. Wow! She's growing and her progress is amazing. I'm sad because I don't want her to grow up first. Luis said, my child, you're on solid (food). He also seemed to be crying. Then he looked at me. He said. No. 2? I said wait! Hello! It's not even one year yet. But I am so amazed as a mother. That's true.)

As they become busy parents, Jessy said that she and Luis made sure they go out on a date at least once a month.

"Kahit sa bahay hindi na talaga ako gaano nag-aayos wala na ring time mag-make-up. Si Luis has a work and busy rin naman siya. When we find time, we go out talaga. So sabi ko maaga matutulog si Peanut tonight and wala kang work. Finally nakapag-date na kami. Hindi namin pinapalampas ang one month na walang date. Important yun sa amin lalo na sa mga newbie couples or new parents. You should make time for yourselves," she said.

(Even at home, I don't even have time to do make-up. Luis has a job and he's busy. When we find time, we really go out. So I said, 'Peanut will go to bed early tonight and you don't have work.' We finally have a date. We don't miss one month without a date. That's important to us, especially for newbie couples or new parents. You should make time for yourselves.)

Jessy also said that she and Luis have also discussed the possibility of their daughter joining the entertainment industry.

"Pinaguusapan na rin namin ni Luis 'yan kasi yung lola niya (Vilma Santos). Si daddy Edu (Manzano). Mga showbiz royalties yan. Sabi ko kung mag-aartista si Peanut, okay lang ba sa'yo? Sabi ni Luis as long as she finishes her studies. Okay ako. At kung gusto niya mag-artista, okay kami. Kung ano ang gusto niya, we will support her. We will always be there for her," she said.

Tintin Bersola-Babao, Jessy Mendiola, Ara Tan, of Manila Diamond Studio; and Alexa Ilacad

(Luis and I have been talking about it because of her grandmother (Vilma Santos) and daddy Edu (Manzano). They are showbiz royalties. I asked Luis what if Peanut wants to become an actor, is that okay with you? Luis said as long as she finishes her studies, I'm okay. And if she wants to join show business, we're okay.)

At first, Jessy said that she and Luis were very nervous about their new roles as parents.

"Noong una kinakabahan kami bilang first-time parents. May ups and downs din. May pinag-aawayan din kasi hindi naman lahat perfect. We try our best to compromise. Nasa stage siya ngayon na medyo kinakabahan siya magpalit ng diapers. Noong nasubukan na niya, parang ayaw na niya.

(At first, we were nervous as first-time parents. There were also ups and downs. There were also small discussions because not everything is perfect. We try our best to compromise. He is now at the stage where he is a little nervous to change diapers. When we tried he doesn't seem to want it anymore.)

"Ako ang madalas magpuyat but in fairness to Rose, she sleeps through the night na rin. Kasi six months na rin. So parang once or twice na rin siyang nagiging in the middle of the night," she said.

(I'm the one who stays up most of the time, but in fairness to Rose, she sleeps through the night too. It's been six months. So it seems like she's been up in the middle of the night once or twice.)

Jessy and Luis also discuss their schedules so that they can be with their daughter when they are not busy.

"We meet halfway sa schedule. Pag wala akong event sa bahay lang ako. I rarely go out. Pag walang trabaho si Luis, ako naman ang tatanggap ng work. Para maayos ang schedule. Kapag busy naman kami pareho, kay momshie and dadskie muna si Peanut para mahiram naman nila siya. Grabe yung support nila Ate Vi and family sa akin lalo noong pregnant ako. Second family ko na talaga sila. Wala ng tanong-tanong sasabihin nila okay dalhin mo rito ngayon si Peanut. Okay lang yan. Kanina noong umalis ako nasa room siya ng Tito Ryan niya. Nakakatuwa talaga because we have a big family," she also said.

(We meet halfway through the schedule. When I don't have an event, I'm at home. I rarely go out. When Luis doesn't have work, I'm the one who gets the work to keep the schedule in order. When we're both busy, Peanut goes to momshie and dadskie. Aunt Vi and family have been very supportive of me especially when I was pregnant. They are really my second family. Without question, they will say okay bring Peanut here now. That's okay. Earlier when I left, Peanut was in his uncle Ryan's room. It was really fun because we have a big family.)

Jessy Mendiola, Luis Manzano and their daughter Isabelle Rose (Facebook)

Dream collaboration

Given the chance, Jessy said that she would love to work with Kapuso stars Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes in future projects. She's also ready to accept mother roles this time.

"Si Marian Rivera ang gusto kong maka-collaborate. Kahit alalay lang niya (ang role) tatanggapin ko. Yung family niya pina-follow ko sa social media. I really look up to her kasi nakakatuwa yung pag-alaga niya sa mga anak niya at hands-on pa niya as a mom. So feeling ko sa ganung aspect medyo magja-jive kami. She's a good actress also and she's the queen of primetime. Kung lalaki naman si Dingdong (Dantes). O di ba mag-asawa? Kahit P.A. nilang dalawa (ang role ko) tatanggapin ko. I've met Dingdong once and he's so kind. Sabi ko nga maybe one day mag-work din kami.

(I want to collaborate with Marian Rivera. Even if it's just a supporting (role) I'll accept it. I follow her family on social media. I really look up to her because it's fun how she takes care of her children and she's still hands-on as a mom. So I feel like we're going to jive a bit in that aspect. She's a good actress also and she's the queen of primetime. Among male stars, it's Dingdong (Dantes). Even if I will play a P.A. to both of them, I will accept it. I've met Dingdong once and he's so kind. I said maybe one day we'll work too.

"I also want to play a mom na may kasamang kid. Ang dami kong nakikitang ganun and it's so heartwarming. Nakaka-inspire sa mga moms also. Looking forward na ako na makabalik. Lord, sana," she said.

(I also want to play a mom with a kid. I see a lot like that and it's so heartwarming. It will inspire moms, too. I'm looking forward to showbiz. Lord, I hope so.)

Jessy Mendiola and Luis Manzano (Facebook)

Love for jewelry

Jessy admits that she has been investing in jewelry for quite some time now. She considers her wedding ring from Manila Diamond Studio as one of her prized possessions among her jewels.

"My wedding ring is one of my prized possessions from Manila Diamond Studio. Dati ng mahilig ako sa jewelry. I make sure na yung jewelry na binibili ko at binibigay sa akin ng Manila Diamond Studio inaalagaan ko talaga because I want to pass them to Peanut. Pero ang tutoong prized possession ko ay ang family ko talaga," she said.

(My wedding ring is one of my prized possessions from Manila Diamond Studio. I love jewelry. I make sure that I really take care of the jewelry that I buy and those given to me by Manila Diamond Studio because I want to pass them on to Peanut. But my true prized possession is my family indeed.)

Jessy added: "Manila Diamond Studio is so generous and very kind. Inalaagan nila ako over the years. Before they used to be in other building and now may stand-alone store na sila. Nakita ko talaga yung nagsisimula pa lamang sila hanggang dumami na. Three years na ang relationship namin ng Manila Diamond Studio. Lahat ng milestone ko sa buhay ko na-witness nila. I'm so grateful na part sila ng journey ko."

It all started with a fascination for collecting diamonds. Manila Diamond Studio was born out of an inherited affection, as its founder grew up witnessing the love and passion of her mother for collecting jewelry. Together with a deep sense of family values, this zeal and devotion have influenced and become apparent in how Manila Diamond Studio operates today.

Over the past three decades, Manila Diamond Studio has grown to create and offer valuable pieces that capture what its audience loves. Each piece is crafted by expert jewelers with the wearer’s unique preferences and memorable experiences in mind.

From its humble beginnings in 1990, Manila Diamond Studio has expanded to now be one of the most established jewelry stores in the Philippines. It has a strong online following and four physical locations in Metro Manila.