Kapamilya star Jessy Mendiola reflected on her humble beginnings at ABS-CBN, reminiscing about the early days of her career.

During the renewal of her contract with the Kapamilya Network, Jessy reminisced about when she didn't have a glam team to help her prepare for television shows.

"Yung pag-balik ko sa ABS-CBN building, naging nostalgic. Naalala ko yung hallway kung saan kami nakatambay at nagpa-practice ng mga dance productions namin for ASAP, Showtime and for Wowowin pa nga," Jessy said.

The wife of Luis Manzano added: "Ngayon uso na ang mga glam team for makeup and hair. Dati kami-kami lang. Kanya-kanya lang. Thumbmark lang yan tapos okay ka na sis.

"Yung thumbmark is kukuha ka ng eye shadow tapos nagmamadali ka at ipapahid mo na lang sya. Tapos yung matitira ilalagay mo lang sa cheeks mo para may blush ka. So parang monotone yung makeup mo.

"Then naabutan ko rin yung bring your own costume pa. Kaya sinasabi ko na I'm one of the lucky ones na naabutan ko yung transition ng industry like unti-unti pumapasok na yung mga glam team, stylists. 

"Naabutan ko pa yung panahon na wala hanggang sa meron na. It really feels good to be back home. Naalala ko talaga yung bagets pa ako at nagsisimula pa lang. Todo rehearse ako nun sa number namin pero pag nakita mo sa screen iba na pala yung kinukunan," Jessy added.

Jessy was one of the 18 new talents launched by ABS-CBN under Star Magic Batch 15 in 2004. She has also appeared in many television series and movies. In 2016, FHM Magazine named her the No. 1 Sexiest Woman in the Philippines.

After a five-year break, Jessy expressed excitement about returning to ABS-CBN to embark on her first project.

“I feel very special. Hindi ko in-expect na ganun kadami ‘yung nagmamahal sa akin. I wasn't expecting na babalik ako (sa showbiz). I'm just really happy and grateful to be back home. ABS-CBN has always had my back,” Jessy said during her Forever Kapamilya contract signing. "I'm really excited kung ano ang gagawin namin with ABS-CBN and Star Magic."

Now that she returned to showbiz, Jessy answered “Yung gusto ko pa na ma-try na ibang roles kasi before I've been doing sensual roles and drama. Magfo-focus ako na ma-hone ‘yung acting ko and mag-try ng gray roles, kontrabida, or mother roles.

"Pero nasabi nila sa akin is teleserye muna. So workshops muna para maging comfortable na ako. Bumabalik pa lang ako so ayoko namang biglain tapos half-baked lang. I want all-in. So ibibigay ko talaga yung 200 percent ko kapag may naka-line up ng project," she said.

Jessy, 31, couldn't be more grateful to her husband, Luis, who is all-out during her showbiz comeback.

I asked Luis, 'Am I making the right decision? More of handa na ba akong bumalik? Then he said to me, 'You are doing this for yourself. You deserve it, and you deserve to pursue your dreams."

Jessy also said her mother-in-law, Vilma Santos-Recto, was thrilled to resume her showbiz career.

"I'm so excited for you na maging active ka uli sa showbiz at umarte. Sabi pa nga niya sana raw magkatrabaho kami. Na-flatter at natuwa ako at the same time.Isa siya sa mga inspiration ko kung bakit ako bumalik uli sa pag-hone ko ng craft," she said.

Now that she and Luis have a daughter, Jessy admitted she hesitated to make a showbiz comeback.

"Isa sa rason kung bakit hesitant ako is because of time. Sanay na sanay na ako na day to night at nakikita ko yung anak ko. Ako nagpapatulog, nagpapaligo. 

"Even if we have anges sa bahay, kapag breaktime nila ako yung nakatutok kay Peanut. Isa yun sa mga concern ko. Dati kasi naalala ko dire-direcho. Pero sabi nila, hindi na raw bugbog as before. I guess tama na yung timing," she said.

During her showbiz hiatus, she embraced vlogging, which became one of her best self-discoveries during the pandemic.

"I discovered vlogging. Madaldal pala ako. I'm sure yung iba nagugulat na madaldal ako. Dati kasi mahiyain ako. I'm a bit introvert pero naturuan na rin ako ni Luis kung paano naging confident sa sarili. How to speak up when you feel like saying something. 

"I'm grateful that my husband has been there to support me. So kaya ko pala magsalita at maging open sa tao. May highs and lows pero yun talaga ang natutunan ko on how to be open about myself," Jessy added.