Dennis Trillo calls out event stylist over use of Jennylyn Mercado's childhood abuse photo - GMA Network
Dennis Trillo has called out event styling business Party Magic over its use of a highly sensitive tabloid cover featuring his wife, Jennylyn Mercado, as an abused child in a '90s-themed party setup.
The event stylist recently uploaded a reel, which has since been deleted, showcasing decorations inspired by a traditional sari-sari store. The setup featured various promotional posters and tabloid covers, including one showing a young Jennylyn with a black eye following an alleged incident of abuse involving her stepfather.
Dennis took to social media to demand an explanation from Party Magic, revealing that the business had failed to answer his calls before he decided to publicly raise the issue.
He wrote: "Hindi ko lang mapigilang mag-react dito, tutal ayaw n'yo sumagot sa tawag ko… sige, dito tayo mag-usap.
"Party Magic, bakit n'yo naman napiling gamitin itong mismong kopya ng tabloid na ito? Sa theme ng children's party pa ha? Paki-paliwanag, please…
"Sa mga hindi nakakaalam, yung naka-headline na batang binugbog ay yung asawa ko. Tama ba naman na 'yun pa ang ilagay n'yo?"
The controversy has also drawn attention to Party Magic founder Michelle Lao and her reported association with Cheska Garcia-Kramer, who was previously a client of the event styling business.
Some social media users even speculated that the now-deleted reel may have been intended to damage Jennylyn's reputation. However, no evidence has been presented to support these claims.
Cheska and Jennylyn have also been linked through the latter's past relationship with Cheska's brother, Patrick Garcia. Jennylyn and Patrick share a son, Alex Jazz.
Last September, Patrick made headlines after discussing his past relationship with Jennylyn in a controversial interview featured on Ogie Diaz's YouTube vlog.
Meanwhile, many netizens questioned why an image depicting a child who had experienced abuse was included in a children's party setup in the first place.
One commenter expressed confusion over the choice of decor, writing: "Children's party? Bakit 'yun ang theme? Puwede naman mga Disney princess kasi 'yun ang mas bagay sa isang children's party. Pananaw ko lang po ito. Dapat masaya ang theme."
Others expressed their support for Jennylyn, emphasizing the emotional impact of revisiting painful childhood experiences for survivors of abuse. They also praised Dennis for standing by his wife.
One netizen commented: "Hindi nila alam ang epekto sa taong nakaranas ng ganyan. 'Yung pilit na binubura sa isip no'ng tao, tapos biglang ipapaalala. Huwag pong ganoon. Salamat kay Dennis dahil lagi siyang nandiyan for Jen. Malaking tulong ang suporta from loved ones, lalo na ang suporta ng asawa."
As of this writing, Party Magic has disabled the comments sections on both its Facebook and Instagram accounts.
