Jake Cuenca excited to work with new screen partner Cristine Reyes

"As her new leading man, aalagaan ko talaga si Cristine in this new project. 'Yon muna, we'll start at that," says Jake Cuenca about his new love-team partner Cristine Reyes in the upcoming afternoon series of ABS-CBN, Precious Hearts Romances.

Author: Nerisa Almo

Jake Cuenca felt honored when he found out that he would be paired with Cristine Reyes in the TV adaptation of Precious Hearts Romances novel called Bud Brothers on ABS-CBN afternoon drama block.

Although they already knew each other while they were still in their former home network, GMA-7, Jake said that he's still excited to work with the former Eva Fonda actress.

In fact, he told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) during the story conference of the show yesterday, April 3, "I'm really watching Eva Fonda, hanging-hanga ako kay Cristine. Sino bang lalaki ang hindi manonood ng Eva Fonda? Pero after watching Eva Fonda, hangang-hanga ako sa acting ni Cristine, sa acting abilities niya. So, I'm looking forward to doing this with her, parang gusto ko, makasama siya sa eksena.

"Siyempre matagal na kaming magkakilala ni Cristine. 'Tapos for me, lagi akong honored to be working with Cristine. I'm honored working with Cristine. May mga projects na kaming nagawa before pa, pero never like this. Hindi pa kami nagkakatrabaho as a pair. Ako, excited ako to do it."

Aside from working together as a love team for the first time, Jake was also glad to have this project because this is an opportunity to catch up with Cristine.

"Noong nasa [GMA-7] pa lang kami, nagkakilala kami sa [GMA-7], she's a very fun person to be around with. I'm excited also to do this, parang this is an opportunity rin to catch up kasi matagal na rin kaming hindi nag-uusap, nagkikita. So, I'm really excited to work with her," he said.

RIGHT CHARACTERS FOR THEIR PERSONALITIES. Jake also told PEP that they wouldn't have a hard time portraying their roles in the TV adaptation of Rose Tan's Bud Brothers.

He explained, "Sakto rin 'yong roles namin, kasi tulad nga ng sa personalities namin ni Cristine, hindi naman talagang pang-love team na pang love team. But the characters, hindi rin naman sila parang super perfect, e. Hindi naman parang siyempre boy next door or girl next door, hindi ganun, e.

"I think the roles were tailor-made, parang bagay na bagay sa amin. Siyempre, aalalayan ko si Cristine, it's gonna be her first time. 'Yon lang, it's gonna be easier for the both of us kasi parang ang characters namin dito ay similar to our personality."

The team up between Cristine (who will play the role of Georgie) and Jake (as Vince) will be featured on the pilot episode. Jake admitted that there would be a little pressure on them to give the audience a good impression of the show.

"Siyempre, malaking responsibilidad 'yong pilot kasi 'yon yung simula talaga, 'yon ang magse-set ng standards for the whole season. Basta ako gagalingan ko lang. Gagalingan lang [namin], it's a big responsibility," he stated.

ON CRISTINE, ROXANNE, AND MELISSA. Since they will be working together for a long time in this series, is it possible for Jake to be attracted to his new onscreen partner?

He answered, "Siyempre, si Cristine, isa na sa mga pinaka-sexy na babae dito sa Pilipinas o sa buong mundo. Siyempre, hindi naman talaga mahirap ma-attract, ma-appreciate si Cristine. Sino bang lalaki ang hindi magkakagusto kay Cristine?"

Also present during the story conference was Jake's former girlfriend Roxanne Guinoo. In this series, Roxanne will be paired with another leading man.

Jake said he would love to work with Roxanne but, "I'm honored to be working with Cristine as well. It's always nice to do something new. Ako, when I found out that I'll be working with Cristine, parang naengganyo din ako kasi matagal na rin akong walang partner.

"Like sa Tayong Dalawa naman, it's really Kim [Chiu] and Gerald [Anderson], love triangle kami doon. But with this, siyempre, iba rin 'yong lagi kang may kasama na may nakakausap ka, na mas intimate 'yong friendship at 'yong team-up."

When PEP asked him about Melissa Ricks, who reportedly received flowers from Tayong Dalawa actor, Jake tried to keep mum about it. (Click HERE to read related article)

Instead, he just told PEP, "Mel for me is... I'm very honored to be her friend also. She's a very, very amazing person. Suwerte na ako to be her friend. Sobrang suwerte ako na binigyan niya ako ng pagkakataon na maging kaibigan niya."

When pressed some more on Melissa, Jake insisted, "Like what I said in The Buzz, I'm a very big admirer of Melissa, let's leave it at that first."

The other cast members of Bud Brothers include Rafael Rosell, Will Devaughn, Joem Bascon, Mariel Rodriguez, Valerie Concepcion, and Pinoy Fear Factor contenders Janna Dominguez and Manuel Chua. This show is slated to premiere this May.

Source: Philippine Entertainment Portal