According to Pauleen, though she and Jennylyn have no quarrel with each other and are in fact friends, she is not that intimate to Jen for her to talk about Mark and the rumors about them.
"I was not the reason for their break-up. When it was reported that we have a relationship, that was during the time of our pictorial for ‘Blue Moon.’ I was not even talking to Mark then even if we know each other. Those reports were not true," Pauleen sighed.
The only time she became comfortable and close to Mark was on their recent trip to Hong Kong wherein they shot a television mini-series.
"I found out that he was such a nice person and a gentleman. He did bought me stuffs but I won’t reveal all of them. He bought me a stuff toy but I told him not to buy me anymore because I have a lot of them already and I don’t appreciate them anymore," she shared. "It is only now that we are becoming good friends."
During their Hong Kong trip, Mark already told her of his intentions of courting her which the almost 17 years old actress didn’t mind (she turns 17 this Nov. 11). First of all, she doesn’t believe the rumors saying Mark is courting a lot of women to be true. If ever, she is the only one being courted by Mark at the moment because she told the actor that she won’t allow him to court him if he was still courting another. Secondly, she admired Mark’s candor when the actor told her that he won’t rush and pressure her. (Sources confirmed that Mark has finally stopped courting another young actress whom he was earlier reported to be very in love with.)
"He is really courting me now but I really don’t know what’s going to happen because I’m really focused on my career. I was happy when he told me that he would just let me be. I don’t know if he’ll become my boyfriend or not because I’m also not ready yet for a relationship," she said.
She added that their friendship is in a getting–to–know–each-other–well stage. And this is probably the reason people misinterpret them to be already a romantic item because they have become very close since their Hong Kong trip. She also said they are very open with one another.
"I’m not ready for a love life because I’m still enjoying my life as a single person who has a lot of dreams and jobs to do. But if it happens I know I’ll feel it…masyadong selosa ang career when you have a love life and the reverse is also true. I’m also scared about this but as of now I don’t have plans yet of having a love life," she stressed.
Pauleen and Mark went to Hong Kong to shoot a Valentine special for GMA Network tentatively titled "Hopeful in Hong Kong." The series is about three people visiting Hong Kong and finding love accidentally in the process. Pauleen explains that the story is about serendipity.
Pauleen’s face actually lights up when you mention Mark and she won’t tire talking about how good a person Mark is. Unfortunately, their friendship has a setback on her career. Once again, Pauleen’s been branded by many as a relationship–wrecker even before the public admittance of Jenny and Mark that their relationship has been over since August. And even if she kept denying that she was the cause, she still carries the stigma from her former home network. She was then rumored to be causing problems in Kristine Hermosa and Diether Ocampo’s relationship.
"I don’t really care anymore because in this business it is easy to plant a seed in people’s mind and they will believe it. It’s hard to prove kung ano ang totoo... I’m confident that I sleep well at night because I know wala akong natatapakang ibang tao!"
But didn’t she get turned-off about rumors that Mark Herras allegedly got physical with Jennylyn during their relationship?
"I don’t believe that story. I don’t see that personality in Mark. He can be quiet at times and he is a gentleman. Someone also told me that those stories were not true," smiled Pauleen. "What me and Mark are doing is enjoying what we have right now. If it leads to something good, matagal pa yun. I have a lot more to know about him!"
Pauleen Luna and Mark Herras along with Jennylyn Mercado topbill Regal Film’s "Blue Moon," an entry to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. Pauleen plays Corazon, a free-spirited young woman during the 30’s. A soldier, Manuel, played by Mark Herras, falls for her but is timid about his feelings. But Corazon is not the shy type of person so she even told Manuel that she is attracted to him. The three actors are actually a love triangle wherein Manuel will eventually end up with one of them.
Directed by Joel Lamangan, "Blue Moon" also stars the biggest names in the realm of drama Eddie Garcia, Christopher de Leon, Dennis Trillo, and Boots Anson Roa with Tintin Arnaldo and Polo Ravales.
"Blue Moon" also marks the first time Pauleen Luna has a kissing scene in a movie. She intimated that it was done as a quick as possible. She was happy with the result since their director described it as very convincing and passionate which was required for the scene.
Pauleen Luna’s career has reached new heights after she left ABSCBN’s Talent Center now called Star Magic. It was indeed a turning point in her life and career when she moved to GMA Network under the management of Lolit Solis. To count a number of her blessings, she was signed up as Regal Entertainment’s latest contract star and she has appeared in different GMA 7 shows.
"This year is the turning point in my life. I learned a lot. I was down. But I know everything happened for a reason. One reason was that God wanted me to be a stronger person. If not for these ‘tragedies’ na dumaan sa akin, I wouldn’t be strong nor would I appreciate life more…naging spiritual ako and I kept holding on and kept on praying. No. 1 in my list when I pray is for strength and the next one is for God to lead me to the right path," related Pauleen.
But what about her detractors?
"Kapag may nang-aaway sa akin, I just call them my blessings. Puwede rin akong mag-thank you sa kanila kasi strong na ako dahil sa kanila. It’s just a matter of accepting and adjusting to the situation. You just can’t run away from them!"
