She was adopted and raised by her aunt, Lydia Mercado. Jennylyn was brought up in the city of Paranaque, Metro Manila. While in high school, she found a place in the popular reality show Starstruck. This paved the way for her acting and singing career.

So Happy Together (2004) was her debut film, and Let the Love Begin (2004) was her second. She also starred in Blue Moon (2006). Her next film was the historical love story Eternity (September, 2006). During that time, she also starred in the soap I Luv NY with Mark Herras. In 2006, she released her debut album Letting Go. She also played in her debut chief gig “Music In Me”.

Screen Name: Jennylyn Mercado
Nick Name: Jen
Real Name: Jennylyn Anne Pineda Mercado
Birthday: May 15, 1987
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Birth Place: Paranaque
Height: 5′4
Showbiz Anniversary: February 1, 2004
Hobbies: Playing Guitar
Sports: Table tennis.

Jennylyn started out as a recording artist, in 1999, with Alpha Records through the recommendation of her voice coach Susanna Pichay. She was with the singing group G4 of Nonoy Tan. Unfortunately, two of the co-members did not continue on so the group and the planned album was scrapped. But the group was able to record two songs. After G4, she went into modeling and landed an endorsing stint with Bambini cologne and a Ponds television advertisement. She also made it to the elite Circle of 10 modeling search along with fellow Starstruck member, Dion Ignacio winning the Ms. Photogenic title. Prior to joining Starstruck, she has appeared in soap operas Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay with Lorna Tolentino in (ABS-CBN), Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw and Nagmamahal, Manay Gina, where she appeared three times.

In 2003, Mercado joined the reality show Starstruck and together with Mark Herras were proclaimed the winners of the show. Each of them received one million pesos plus exclusive contracts from GMA Network. After winning Starstruck, she has appeared in several films including So Happy Together and the teen-flick Let the Love Begin. In television, she has appeared in the fantasy soap opera Encantadia, I Luv NY, Now and Forever, entitled Dangal and Super Twins.

In June 2004, Jennylyn’s biological father, Noli Pineda, now 50, came home for a holiday. His arrival did not go unnoticed by the press. Reports came out saying that he was asking for money from his now self-sufficient daughter (an accusation she has strongly denied, insisting that her father wanted her to use his surname Pineda). She and her biological father, who is based in Korea, keep in touch.

Mercado’s life story was featured in the TV drama series Magpakailanman on October 14, 2004. She is now the official spokesperson of the Bata Foundation (Christian Mission Services), a non-governmental organization.