Lawyer and film producer Joji Villaneuva Alonso spoke up in defense of actress Jennylyn Mercado amid the controversy stemming from the remarks of her former partner, Patrick Garcia, about their relationship and their son.
In a Facebook post, Alonso said she had known Mercado since the latter started out in the entertainment scene as a teenager who was hoping to help provide for her family.
She said that when Mercado got pregnant with Garcia’s child, she chose to keep the baby even if it meant sidelining her career.
“Jen Mercado is not a perfect person – just like the rest of us. But she chose to keep her baby during a time when she was climbing to the peak of her young career. She chose life – over fame and fortune,” she said.
She also said Mercado faced many challenges raising her son, a special child, as a single parent.
But amid all these, she never badmouthed anybody, Alonso said.
“Jen could have chosen to speak ill but she didn’t. She chose to protect the peace she gained and avoided hurting anyone else. That says more than someone who had all of 18 years to be a father to his son,” she said.
Garcia, in an interview, said that he has not seen their son since 2017 and that Mercado does not want him to be involved in her life.