After last being seen regularly on television in the drama Annaliza last year, Denise Laurel said she is happy to be back via the small screen adaptation of the 1986 drama Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita. The show has her working with a younger batch of stars which include former Pinoy Big Brother All-In housemates Jane Oineza, Loisa Andalio, Joshua Garcia, and Jerome Ponce.

“It's experimental and I'm working with Ms. Vina Morales. It's the first time we're doing a soap together and it's nice to have someone I can talk to about being a single mom and at the same time the kids in the cast, I know it's alanganin because we're only a few years apart but maybe because I'm a mom and it makes me mature, I still find time to giggle and play with them. I'm looking forward to getting to know them because when I was their age there was nobody to guide me, there was nobody to support me. So now I'm looking forward to being the person that I never had,” she told Push.com.ph

With her previous roles in several Precious Hearts Romances, Denise said she used to find it unfair she was pegged as a sexy seductress. “I think that just because a woman loves fashion and a woman feels confident doesn't mean that they're not religious. In fact it should show more just how much they love what God gave them. At the same time, how much they're secure in how they are. God doesn't make mistakes, he's an artist and we're all unique. I feel like I don't have to prove it to anyone. When people get to know me, then they'll know. I get it all the time. They always say, 'When I first met you, akala ko mataray ka. Akala ko maarte ka or woman of the world ka. But you know what, you're the complete opposite pala.' I'm just very bubbly and I love people around me being happy all the time. I like people being harmonious, that's why I'm always making jokes, I'm always laughing, I'm always loud kasi feeling ko I like equalizing the energy of the room and when I see people sad gusto ko pinapatawa ko sila,” she explained.

Contrary to public opinion, the 27-year-old actress said she is actually a devout Catholic. “I love fashion and I love art and I'm an actress so you know I just want to be me and once they get to know me and they realize na I'm religious pala, sarado katoliko and very traditional and even if I'm a single mom, I still live with my family. I'm not going to leave until I get married. A lot of the values of traditional Filipino culture is instilled in me and hindi lang halata kasi barok ako mag-Tagalog (laughs). I think Direk Cathy (Molina) told me one time, 'The reason I think why you do all the Precious Hearts Romances is because yung features mo malandi.' and then it made sense to me. When I was younger kasi I didn't understand why people would have a misconception of me because I was always so loving and I felt that I was truthful to everyone and I would feel bad because people would pick on me. But then I realized yung features ko pala, it makes me look malandi! I look mataray (laughs). So now I just throw on a smile and people who get to know me will know the truth,” she admitted.

When it comes to her personal life, Denise is happy with her long engagement to PBA cager Solomon Mercado and with Alejandro, her son from a previous relationship. “For a long time, I was the father and mother to my son so I'm very strict and at the same time I'm super fun like I always tease him and I'm always at his school. I'm his number one fan and at the same time I'm his number one playmate. But when he's wrong, alam niya sa mata ko pa lang (laughs). He's super adorable. He's so big. He's 3'9” and he's only three years old. I can't even carry him anymore (laughs),” she said.

Apart from work, Denise said she has no special plans for Valentine's this year. “I'll be working (laughs) hopefully. I mean more blessings but probably with the family, I'll take them out to dinner and we'll do something sweet for everyone. I never thought of a bucket list naman before I get married. More, more, more projects? (laughs) Puwede ba yun? I want to sing more. Of course that's always been on my list and I've been very patient. I know that in God's time everything will happen in it's place. So hopefully my singing I can do more,” she added.