Anecdotes

First female winner of Starstruck Season 1.

Was raised by her aunt/uncle and considers them as their parents.

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. Though her short experience with the group dismayed her, it developed her love for singing.

After G4, another opportunity was opened to her and that was modeling. She kept herself busy with a number of VTRs from advertising agencies.

Luckily, her patience paid off as she landed an endorsing stint with Bambini cologne and a Ponds television advertisement before that. She also made it to the elite Circle of 10 modeling search along with fellow Starstruck member, Dion Ignacio. She won the Ms. Photogenic title and some cash. But according to her, she was also a contestant in the previous year's search. She withdrew from it because the cigarette smoke from the bars they visited as part of the search's promotions made her sick and affected her voice.

Her friend Nina Sanchez asked her to sing as her guest one night at the Café de Malate located in Madre Ignacia St., Malate, Manila. Afterwards, she was asked if she was interested to sing regularly (every Monday and Thursday night) by Bobby Velasco, the owner. This was her first lounge act since G4. This boosted her self-cofidence because some of the Filipino celebrities who started out with Café de Malate include the likes of singer-dancer Gem Ramos, singer-actress Hannah Villame, recording artists Bhem Rosas and Karen Villar, Sandra Amor and Kyla who was known then as Melanie Calumpad.

She also played a role in hit soap opera Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay with Lorna Tolentino in the other network(ABS-CBN). She also played the role of Rio Locsin's favorite student in the GMA teledrama Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw as well as in the weekly series Nagmamahal, Manay Gina, where she appeared three times.

Was in a relationship with Patrick Garcia in 2000's and they have one son together.

Gave birth to her 1st child at age 21, a son Ale Jazz Mercado on August 16, 2008. Child's father is her ex-boyfriend, Patrick Garcia.

(October 28, 2010) Suffered a heart attack.