The self-love revolution

MANILA, Philippines - You know his name, you know that scar, and you might have even seen that ass. But tell me, can you name even one Jake Cuenca role?

The truth of the matter is, after seven years in showbiz, Jake Cuenca hasn’t really done much to warrant name recall. Aside from the Jake Cuenca Body Showcase that is the annual Bench underwear show, there isn’t really a reason why Jake is worthy of becoming a household name, save for the frequently-exposed ass.

While he’s had his share of TV hits, none has catapulted him to Dingdong Dantes-level TV stardom, although Palos came close. And while he already has nine films under his belt, he hasn’t had his breakthrough moment yet — he definitely isn’t giving John Lloyd any reason to lose sleep.

But the making of Jake Cuenca has been the story of slow and steady winning the game. After what he calls “five years of [showbiz] purgatory,” Jake is hitting his stride, with two movies in the near future and a new show opposite Marian Rivera.

This week, Jake showcased another facet of what is fast-becoming an interesting career with the film H.I.V. (Si Heidi, si Ivy, at si V...), an advocacy film on AIDS and HIV. In a short interview with Supreme, we find out that, more than the famous hunk of man meat displayed on billboards and magazines, Jake Cuenca is an actor slowly coming into his own.

You usually do studio movies, with big budgets and all the studio trappings. Why did you want to do this movie?

JAKE: I’ve always wanted do an indie movie. When they pitched this movie to me, it was really something I wanted do because it’s an advocacy movie and I really feel like HIV awareness in this country is low, especially compared to the States. A lot of people just pretend it doesn’t exist. I felt like it was an obligation and responsibility and, at the same time, the material was really good. It was definitely something I couldn’t say no to. I mean, I also have to satisfy myself artistically.

Is this the kind of film you want to do from now on?

Definitely. This is not the last indie I’m going to do. After this one, I want to do more indies but at the same time, keep the mainstream work going. I love doing my soap operas and I’m working on a few movies. I have a movie coming out on December 25 with Marian Rivera called Super Inday. I have another coming out with Aga Muhlach and Angel Locsin next year.

People categorize film as mainstream and indie but, for me anyway, those categories say more about the budget than the genre.

What do you look for in films? In prospective scripts?

It is just the budget and the production house and distribution. I feel like the lines are slowly becoming blurred. It’s just that with indie, they dive into more issues. When you do a mainstream movie, it’s usually formulated, giving the audience what they want. With indie, you get to tackle sensitive topics. I love the depth of the roles they offer when it comes to indie movies. It’s stuff I really want to do and emotions I really want to let loose.

Where do you want to lead your career? What kind of career do you want to have?

I’m just living day to day. One thing I learned in this movie is each day, I have an opportunity to showcase myself and my talents. That’s already enough for me. I’m just giving a 110% and whatever they give to me, I’ll take. I just want to prove my versatility and again, I’m an actor. Whatever role they throw at me, as long as nasa puso ko, okay lang. I just want to be known as a hard-working actor... or the hardest-working actor.

Did you always want to act, growing up?

More of a dream. I never really imagined myself becoming an actor, but I definitely knew I wasn’t going to be doing a nine-to-five. It’s something I just couldn’t imagine myself doing. I just wanted to do something different.

Before you got here, we were thinking, will he do the concept? It’s pretty risque and you’re a mainstream actor with lots of endorsements. But when we pitched it, you were kind of fearless.

Yeah, when it comes to art, regardless of what it is — film, photography, painting—if there’s a message, I’m all for it.

Well, you do a lot of risque billboards. You’re always naked.

I know. It’s become my thing now. [Laughs]

It was really my manager who asked me, “Are you comfortable?” The first time I did it, my body looked bad. The billboard never came out. [Laughs] I said, that’s not happening again.

Like the stuff I do at the Bench fashion show. It’s not like I plan these things. The first times I did it, they really weren’t planned, when I showed my ass and when kumambyo ako. [Laughs] If you’ve got it, flaunt it and it makes me different from everyone else.

When you’re there, you think, who’s the audience and what do they want to see? You give it to them and to tell you the truth, it’s hella fun.