Jennylyn Mercado may have built a successful career as an actress, but she still wants to be known as a singer.

“Kasi nasa DNA ko na siya,” she told us. “Music is my first love and siguro, kahit saan ako dalhin ng kapalaran, I will always return to music. Ito ako e, ito ang passion ko.”

Long before she became an actress, Jennylyn was already singing in lounges and bars.

“Parang sa pamilya kasi namin hindi puwede na hindi ka marunong kumanta,” she said.

She rose to fame after winning “StarStruck” in 2003. From there, she went on to become one of the country’s most successful actresses, starring in several hit films and series.

But she never really left music behind.

Jennylyn released several albums and scored hits including “Sa Aking Panaginip,” “Basta't Nandito Ka,” and “Kahit Sandali,” among many others.

Then came a long lull.

It may have seemed like she was done with singing, until she announced “JEN Deluxe,” a new compilation under Star Music that will be released on streaming platforms on Aug. 21.

“Na-excite talaga ako dito kasi for the first time, hands-on talaga ako sa music ko,” she said. “Dati kasi yung process, pinapapili ka lang ng kanta then yung gusto mo, yun yung gagawin mo. With ‘Jen Deluxe,’ I was able to participate dun sa process, nakakatuwa.”

“JEN Deluxe" features eight songs in total, including two new tracks, “Tutuloy Pa Ba?” and “Hindi Man Masabi.”

It also carries the previously released tracks “Paulit Ulit Kang Pipiliin,” “Sa Gitna,” “Hihintayin Kita,” “Kung Nandito Ka Pa,” “Ayaw Pang Umuwi,” and “Hindi Pa Rin Sapat.”

But why the long break?

“Naging busy rin talaga ako with so many things. Sunod-sunod ang naging trabaho and, of course, we got a new member of our family, Dylan. So, nag-focus ako sa family.”

“Para sa akin kasi ang music, gaya ng acting, andiyan yan e, puwede mong balikan. Pero yung panahon mo sa pamilya, lalo na sa mga bata, hindi mo na maibabalik yan e.”

Her family also became part of the inspiration for the new album.

“This is a story of love. Iba’t ibang klaseng pagmamahal—pagmamahal sa pamilya, sa sarili, pagmamahal sa craft, pagmamahal sa ibang tao, sa partner mo,” she said.

“Tsaka parang ano rin ito, reintroduction ko as a singer and performer na tipong ito na ako ngayon.”

For Jennylyn, music was never really something she left behind. It was simply something she knew she could return to when the time was right.

That time, it seems, is now.