Being the only actress who received the “blessing” of original Maria Mercedes star Thalia apparently isn’t the only reason that made Jessy Mendiola consider her now-defunct soap as one for the books.

According to the young actress, the show itself made her understand herself better which led her to become “really aware of lots of things—from my looks to what goes on around me.”

On a personal level, being chosen to headline the show has “transformed” her in a way, a process which she claims to not be aware of before.

“It became an eye-opener for me—I really had to grow up. I have to show that I am now a woman. I felt like showing to everyone that I’m mature. It’s because, in real life, I am,” she said in an interview with

Chalk Magazine

’s March 2014 issue.

Although she’s no stranger to titular roles, she recognizes the fact that the Philippine remake of Maria Mercedes has raised the bar higher for her as far as the level of adulation from her fans and peers is concerned.

Saying that Mercedes had a great deal of similarity with who she was in real life, Jessy has singled out a particular advice for women about the life that was led by her primetime character.

“I really think a lot of women right now should be more like Mercedes—fierce but vulnerable at the same time; hot, but sweet, as well,” said Jessy.

She confessed that the role “brought out my confidence, even in real life” she enthused that Mercedes would be forever a part of herself as a person and as an actress.

Now that she has claimed to have matured because of her role, who among the mature actors does she want to work with?

“I’ve worked with Coco Martin before for

Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo

. I want to work with him again now that I’ve matured,” she shared.

Know more about cover girl Jessy Mendiola, what she went through before she got to the limelight and how she was on a normal setting and in school at the March issue of

Chalk Magazine.