In one of the Bench shows at the Big Dome, Jake Cuenca drew the loudest applause from the audience when he came out onstage in thong, acknowledging the wild cheering by flying kisses, then turning around and taking a bow backward, exposing his butt.
Asked if he would do it, or something more baring and daring than that, in a movie, Jake said, “Why not? If,” and that’s the Big If, “the project is right.”
In a sense, he’s a Jack of All Trades who dares to try everything, anything, for the advancement of his career especially where roles are concerned.
“I’m ready, willing and able to do any role, which is what I’m doing in television --- some action, some drama, some romance.”
In his latest outing, Super Inday and the Golden Bibe, one of Regal Films’ two entries in the 2010 Metro Filmfest (the other is Shake, Rattle & Roll which is now on its 12th edition), Jake plays Amazing J, a character gifted with super powers, with Marian Rivera in the role played by Maricel Soriano in the original version (where John Lapus’ Super Bibe character was played by Aiza Seguerra).
When Jake figures in blind items (mostly unsavory), those in-the-know wonder how someone from a good and decent family can take it.
“Lightly,” said Jake, meaning he doesn’t let himself be affected by it. “If I and my family know the truth, that’s what really matters.”
His family includes the former MTRCB chief Manoling Morato, uncle of Jake’s father, Juan Tomas Morato Cuenca, “so he’s my Lolo Manoling.” Jake’s mother is Rachel Leveriza Cuenca. He has an older bother (29) and a younger sister (eight years old).
First, tell us how you got that scar on your upper lip.
“I fell from a table when I was five years old and my lip was cut.”
That surely adds to your appeal. It reminds people of Joaquin Phoenix.
“When I joined showbiz, they wanted me to have it fixed pero ayoko talaga. Ako ito, eh.”
Now, let’s talk about Super Inday and the Golden Bibe, your first movie with Marian, a Kapamilya and a Kapuso together. How was it working with Marian?
“Good, actually. My first impression was wrong. Approachable naman pala s’ya. During the story conference, I was kind of intimidated…Marian Rivera ‘yan, eh…until she took the initiative of coming up to me and greeting me. I realized that we have something in common --- pareho kaming medyo malakas ang dating. But the truth is that we are easy to deal with. Pareho kasi kaming may dugong Español.”
Of course, the movie is comedy so you and Marian have no love scenes that might make Marian’s boyfriend Dingdong Dantes jealous.
“What I can promise is that our movie has many kilig moments. We have seen that during the premiere na sobrang nagtitilian ang mga tao sa mga eksena namin ni Marian. Even if we don’t have love scenes, Marian and I have several cute scenes together. Marian and I didn’t know how the fans would react to the scenes because she’s known to be not only the girlfriend but the loveteam-mate of Dingdong. But we were relieved that the audience reacted that way during the premiere.”
You’ve been paired with other actresses (Roxanne Ginoo, Kim Chiu, et al). With whom are you most comfortable?
“All of them. Wala akong pinipili. But definitely, it’s quite an experience working with Marian. He’s one of the boys. Madaling ka-trabaho, madaling kausapin. Marian stands out among my other leading ladies; naiiba s’ya talaga.”
Super Inday is a breather for you because you’ve doing drama in television. What do you consider your most memorable performance?
“Tayong Dalawa, definitely. It’s longer than the usual teleserye so Gerald (Anderson), Coco (Martin) and I became really like family. That show brought us to the next level.”
Do you consider Coco, Gerald and other actors your age a competition?
“No, I don’t. Instead of being bothered by competition, I just focus on myself. I try to improve my acting, I just keep on doing my best, what with all the projects given to me. In showbiz, pana-panahon ‘yan, di ba? Lalo na with Coco and Gerald, I don‘t see them as competition. We have become like brothers.”
Do you fall in love with your leading ladies at least for the duration of a movie shoot or a teleplay?
“Hmmmm…yes, you have to be attached to your leading lady for you to be true to your character, para maging credible and portrayal mo. But that’s only during the shoot. After that, the feeling that remains is friendship --- unless you fall real hard for her.”
How soon does it take you to snap out of a character? Or do you go to bed as your character?
“Sometimes, I become too engrossed in my character that it really affects my life in so many ways. It happens when I’m doing a soap. I really become my character. It helps. Otherwise, if you keep leaving your character on the set, it’s hard to be your character again. So you might as well ‘live’ your character. But once the soap is over, I easily discard my character and look forward to the new one. Like now, I’m playing a dark character in Green Rose, a new ABS-CBN teleserye, and I feel really ‘dark’.” (He’s also in the cast of Star Cinema’s long-delayed still untitled movie starring Aga Muhlach and Angel Locsin.)
Are you ready to bare more than just your butt in a teleplay or a movie?
“I have limitations. Pero kung binigyan ako ng magandang piyesa, maganda ang role, with a good script and a good director, why not? But the nudity must be tastefully done. Hollywood actors are doing it, so why don’t I, why can‘t I?”
Gay roles used to be a big no-no among actors who considered the roles a “jinx.” But times have changed. A lot of actors (locally, including Bembol Roco in the GMA soap Beauty Queen) have become daring enough to, well, come out of the closet so to speak. What about you?
“As I just said, if the material is good, why not? I am secure with myself. I think only actors who are not confident with their sexuality are afraid to play a gay character. I’m an actor. I will portray whatever role is given to me to the best of my ability.”
How does your family react to your being in showbiz? Aren’t they affected by the tsismis about you?
“You know, they trust me naman, eh. So I have nothing to worry about.”
What about your Lolo Manoling?
“He’s supportive of me. Alam naman n’ya that I’m responsible. Alam n’ya at alam ko rin what my family stands for. I’m 23 (last Dec. 3) and they know that I’m mature enough to know what is right and what is wrong.”
Any piece of advice or reminder from your Lolo Manoling?
“Uhm, he just reminds me to keep it decent.”
Does he watch your soaps or your movies?
“Oh yes, he does. In fact, last week he attended the premiere of HIV, my indie movie which tackles a sensitive subject. The HIV in the title stands for Heidi, Ivy and Vi, the characters in the movie. The story is about HIV, written by Wango Gallaga (The HIV-positive son of director Peque Gallaga. --- RFL).
How do you deal with the rumors, especially the nasty ones?
“Nothing. They don’t bother me. As long as you know the truth, why bother with the rumors? You know, all of us in the industry are just doing our jobs. The writers who spread tsismis, even if untrue, are just doing their job. It’s okay with me. Marami nang issues na naibato sa akin.”
In showbiz, there are so many temptations including indecent proposals. How do you deal with them?
“Uhm…I make a decent living and I will be uncomfortable to receive gifts or money in exchange for…alam mo na. My family raised me and my siblings well. They taught me to be independent and to work for whatever I need or I want. Whatever I have now, I’ve worked hard for them, pinaghirapan ko. I try not to take the easy way out in life. I don’t mind doing it the hard and long way.”
Are you extravagant or stingy? How do you handle money?
“I’m learning to be more careful with my finances. When I moved to ABS-CBN (from GMA), I enjoyed making money and spending it. Now, I’m spending my earnings wisely. I’m investing in real estate. I have bought a condo unit in Mandaluyong City.”
Do you live alone?
“Yes. But when I bought the condo, I made sure that it’s near my parents’ house. Even if I live away from them, kailangan ko pa rin ang guidance nila.”
Don’t you take home…?
“…ha? Take home…?”
Girls?
“Hala! No. I’m a good boy, you know.”
Could you describe what kind of childhood you had?
“I was born in the States where we lived until I was 12. Then, I lived in Spain for one year. I was 13 when I came to the Philippines, at nag-artista na ako. Actually, I started doing ramp and commercial modeling when I was eight years old. My parents didn’t let me join showbiz so I had to beg them. They relented naman.”
What about school? Have you finished college?
“No. I reached only third year high school but I’m planning a DECS exam that will, if I pass it, qualify me to enter college. It’s hard to balance showbiz and studies.”
How would you assess 2010 and what do you look forward to in 2011?
“2010 has been a great year for me. Nag-boom talaga ang career ko. My parents came home and stayed for the longest time, and they might stay for good. My personal life is okay, in spite of the nasty rumors na hindi naman totoo. I look forward to a better year in 2011. I pray na sana marami pa rin akong projects at mawala na ang mga tsismis.”
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com)