| | Jake Cuenca on Melissa Ricks: 'I'm just an admirer of hers' Author: Arnel Ramos His detractors can say the most disgusting things but Jake Cuenca is happy with the fabulous developments in his career over at ABS-CBN. Plum projects ang nakukuha niya. Bukod sa tinatangkilik na teleseryeng Tayong Dalawa, the Fil-Spanish hunk is also shooting a horror flick called Estrella opposite Shaina Magdayao and directed by Rico Ilarde (of the indie film Altar) under Star Cinema. " Madugo ang (special) effects kaya medyo natatagalan," balita ni Jake sa launch kamakailan ng The Bar alcoholic drink sa Eastwood City Park. Co-endorser ni Jake ng nasabing alak ang kapwa niya Kapamilya star na si Angelica Panganiban. Jake looked dapper in his pink long-sleeved polo the night of the press launch. He considers Tayong Dalawa his biggest break so far. Nang tanungin kung kailan matatapos ang Tayong Dalawa, nagbibirong sumagot si Jake ng, " Sana hindi na siya matapos." But of course, all good things come to an end somehow. Sinabihan na raw sina Jake and company ng management na tentatively sa July magwawakas ang naturang soap. " Napakagandang opportunity nung soap para sa akin. Ang maganda lang sa role ko dun (as the other David Garcia - kapangalan niya sa story ang gumaganap na half-brother niya sa soap na si Gerald Anderson), ang dami mong puwedeng gawin. Ang daming pinuntahan nung character. First time kong nag-portray ng role na ganito kalawak, ganito kalalim. From high school hanggang mag-PMA (Philippine Military Academy). Hanggang sa malapit na siyang (his character David) mamatay, bumalik, naging sira-ulo." Because of Tayong Dalawa's strong impact, pinarangalan ng Armed Forces of the Philippines ang soap at cast nito for helping push the number of PMA applications to an all-time high of 300%. " Binigyan kami ng plaque of appreciation ng AFP. Biglang dumami ang mga tao na gustong ipagtanggol ang bansa natin. Masaya kaming lahat talaga." Right from the time they started taping for Tayong Dalawa, Jake and his co-star Gerald Anderson in particular were briefed on the significance of their latest TV assignment. " Alam namin ni Gerald na malaking responsibilidad ito. Hindi na uso dito yung nalalagay ako sa kung anu-anong kontrobersya. Ang nire-represent ko mga sundalo. Yun ang ginawa naming obligasyon ni Gerald from the beginning. Hindi natin ipapahiya ang Army, ang Navy, ang Air Force. Parang lifelong effort na rin na panindigan namin ang natutunan namin sa show na ito." What was the hardest scene for him to tackle? "The really hard scenes were yung mga maliliit na eksena," says Jake after toying with the question. " Yung emotional continuity ng isang tao na na-war shock. Dapat dinarama ko yun. Kailangang paniwalaan ko yung hirap." Jake credits Tayong Dalawa directors Ruel Bayani and Trina Dayrit for the good notices on his improved acting. " Nag-usap talaga kaming tatlo to make it really realistic. Tinutulungan nila kami nina Gerald at Kim (Chiu) na mag-mature yung acting. Hindi na puwede na paulit-ulit lang." The presence of exalted performers like Helen Gamboa, Cherry Pie Picache, Anita Linda, Spanky Manikan, and Gina Pareno in the cast also challenges the younger thespians to be up on their toes. " Ginagalingan namin kasi ang laki ng tulong ng co-stars namin. Nandun sila lagi to give advice. It's really a team effort. Walang may attitude. Walang may ere." Siyempre pa hindi pakakawalan ng entertainment press si Jake without questions pertaining the girl he openly admits to admiring. Ano na ang development sa kanila ni Melissa Ricks? "Friends talaga kami. Minsan nagkukumustahan kami. Tulad nga ng sabi ko, hindi pa ako lumiligaw. I'm just an admirer of hers." Kamakailan ay nagbigay ng pahayag si Melissa na kay Matt Evans lang na perennial leading man niya siya papayag magpahalik on screen. " Hindi naman ako na-offend dun," maagap na reaksyon ni Jake, " kasi magkaibigan lang naman talaga kami eh. Masayang-masaya ako for both of them, nakatrabaho ko sila (Matt and Melissa) sa Pedro Penduko dati. Engrande ang Kambal Sa Uma nila kaya I'm happy for them both." Dagdag pa ni Jake," Mas matagal yung pinagsamahan nila and I'm not going to come between them. Again, I'm just an admirer of Melissa. Kung manligaw man ako, it has to be the parents first." Huling hirit ng press 'What is it about Melissa that you find most attractive?' " Ano ba naman ang hindi nakaka-attract kay Melissa? Napakaganda niya. She's blooming into a woman," tapos ni Jake. Source: ABS-CBN Interactive |
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