A spring in his step

MANILA, Philippines - Melissa Ricks is not the only reason Jake Cuenca wakes up with a smile in his eyes and has a spring in his step.

It’s because he finally fulfilled one of his dreams: To make an indie film. Sure, teleseryes and mainstream films mean more money in the bank. But that to Jake, is not his be-all and end-all as an actor who wants to prove his versatility.

The guy wants to sink his teeth into a role that goes beyond just looking good. He wants something that leaves a more lasting mark on the audience.

So he pushed thoughts of getting his usual talent fee aside and told Maria Isabel Lopez, line producer of HIV (Si Heidi, Si Ivy at Si V) that he will play a cinematographer in the indie that tackles AIDS  warts and all.

As Gil Bustamante, a visual designer and young filmmaker the Health Department hired to make a documentary on AIDS, Jake never thought he will end up even more than what he expected in the film.

Yes, he wanted the cameras to roll right away the minute he got hold of the script. The story of HIV patients  an OFW’s wife (Lopez), a call center agent (Iza Calzado) and a transvestite (IC Mendoza)  was moving enough.

But when Jake sat face to face with its writer, Wanggo Gallaga (director Peque Gallaga’s son), an AIDS patient himself, he saw the world in a totally new light.

It touched a raw nerve. And Jake can’t help but experience what he says was an awakening.

“I had to learn the symptoms of HIV,” Jake relates. “I stayed with Wanggo, observed him, talked to him to play the role well. The movie is scary. But it also gives hope. I learned to respect people with HIV who are fighting their illness and trying to live life as best as they can.”

Jake told himself that if these suffering people are moving heaven and earth to live a normal life, why can’t a healthy person like him do the same?

From then on, Jake vowed “not to waste each day because every day is a big blessing, especially for AIDS patients.”

He’d wake up in the morning, murmuring a little thank you prayer for the gift of life. Never mind if his director, Neal “Buboy” Tan surprised Jake with two heavy scenes  the opening and the finale  on the first shooting day itself.

Jake admits his director’s orders caught him unawares. “I felt the pressure, I felt nervous,” he owns up. But he willed himself to give it all he’s got. After that, the tension vanished; the butterflies in his stomach flew out the window.

“Tinahi-tahi ko ang mga eksena,” he reveals. “I played this role differently from the way I portray my characters in mainstream projects.”

Co-star Candy Pangilinan (who plays a cinematographer), with whom Jake shared a lot of scenes, was a big help.

“We had Direk’s blessings to adlib in many scenes,” says Jake.

Thus, he learned a lot of lessons, not only in acting, but in life as well. It was way beyond what Jake expected when he first reported to the San Lazaro Hospital set.

Now, Jake is more confident about bringing more things on the table when he reports on the set of   projects that come one after another after HIV. Now that the film will be shown on Wednesday, Dec. 1 (World AIDS Day), 6 p.m. at SM Megamall Cinema 10, Jake can set his sights on his next projects.

He stars in two Metro Filmfest entries: Regal’s Super Inday and the Magic Bibe and Star Cinema’s Huling Sayaw. He starts 2011 with a new teleserye: ABS-CBN’s Green Rose with Jericho Rosales and Anne Curtis.

The downpour of projects puts Jake on Cloud Nine.

‘“ I love my job!” he gushes. “I’m excited to work. I want to give justice to every role I play, be it drama, action, etc.”

And he doesn’t care if it’s an indie film or a mainstream project. Or if a role smashes his pretty boy image to bits and pieces. Jake’s adrenaline rush is so high, a one-week bout with sore eyes didn’t dampen his spirit one bit.

After all, he’s learning a lot, not only as an actor, but as a human being. It’s something Jake knows he’ll be grateful for – whether he’s in showbiz or not.