Manager on Dennis' split with Jennylyn: 'He was never jealous of Patrick'

MANILA, Philippines - Talent manager Popoy Caritativo slammed claims that his ward Dennis Trillo's alleged "long-standing issue" with Patrick Garcia, Jennylyn Mercado's ex-boyfriend, was one of the reasons that led to his split with the actress.

Caritativo, who earlier confirmed to PEP that Trillo and Mercado indeed parted ways after nearly a year-long romance, told the entertainment website via text message on March 25 that his ward "was never jealous of Patrick," saying that Trillo "understood" Garcia's place as the father of Mercado's son, Alex Jazz.

"As a matter of fact, it was Dennis who encouraged the reconciliation of Patrick and Jen. That was never an issue with Dennis," read a part of Caritativo's statement, pertaining to Mercado and Garcia's much-reported patch-up last year following their messy separation in 2008.

Becky Aguila, Mercado's manager, also confirmed the breakup to PEP through text, saying it took place last March 5, but declined to give further details on its cause.

Citing a source, who is said to be close to both Trillo and Mercado, PEP reported on Friday that the showbiz ex-couple had a "terrible fight" a few weeks back that pushed their relationship downhill. The fight, the source noted, is said to be in connection with Trillo's alleged jealousy and Mercado's purported immaturity.

The source added that the argument started out as petty, which eventually led to a sour and chaotic one as Trillo and Mercado purportedly threw wounding remarks and curses to each other. The latter even allegedly "physically hit" Trillo in one instance.

The source also said that Trillo "resented" Mercado's rekindled communication with Garcia, and made a big deal out of his ex-sweetheart's "pagpapahiram ng anak" to Garcia. Trillo also has a son with former girlfriend, beauty queen-turned-actress Carlene Aguilar, Calix Andreas.

However, another PEP source said that it was Mercado who had jealous tendencies, pointing to it as one of the "big reasons" of her "constant arguments" with Trillo.

The said source cited that the former lovers had a fight after Trillo was asked to hand a bouquet of flowers to Heart Evangelista, his leading lady in "Dwarfina," who apparently celebrated her birthday on the set. Evangelista happened to have been Trillo's former apple of the eye, but romance did not prosper.

Mercado and Trillo's romance bloomed on the set of the afternoon drama series, "Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak," their first team-up. The two admitted in April last year that they are exclusively dating.

Caritativo told PEP that Trillo would keep his silence on the issue as he did in his previous relationships with Aguilar, as well as with Cristine Reyes. "Napaka-ungentleman naman kasi sa guy na magkwento, 'di ba?" he said.

Meanwhile, in a "final official statement" also sent to PEP on March 25, Aguila said Mercado is "heartbroken" over the split and "needs time alone." Nevertheless, Mercado is aware that "she has to move on, not only for herself but also for [her son's] sake."

Aguila added that her ward "could use ol d support nd understanding she needs," even as she hopes to resume working "as this will help her forget."