Jake of all trades (almost!)

When it comes to acting, Jake Cuenca can do anything and everything whatever the role requires him. He can cry buckets and let that charming smile on his face fade while acting out a character in a soap; can leap, run and glide smoothly in rough scenes; can be as daring as one of the male hunks of Coverboys performing on stage and shake his booty to the rhythm of a lively beat.

“I really like playing different roles that could show how versatile I am as an actor. I can be very serious at one moment, giving my all in action and drama, and be funny and light at the other,” Jake says during a press visit on the set of ABS-CBN’s Sunday afternoon show Your Song (Million Miles Away episode) that stars him and Shaina Magdayao with Marvin Raymundo in his first leading man role after winning a special award in the recent Manhunt International. It will air starting July 7 after ASAP ’08.

It’s not even a problem for Jake whoever his screen partner is. He has chemistry with all his leading ladies like  Roxanne Guinoo and Bangs Garcia.  Jake also has fun working with Shaina, who he thinks is a  brilliant  actress. And he’s comfortable working with her the very first time they had their scenes together.

“We have a nice time here (on the set) and our work is flowing smoothly as all of us are coming out naturally. There’s no ilang factor which is common when you have a new partner,” Jake says.

But it doesn’t mean he, too, quickly falls for his leading ladies. Except, of course, when he was romantically linked to Roxanne his leading lady in Natutulog Ba ang Diyos and Palos.  As we all know, the reel romance developed into real love. Sadly, the relationship has gone kaput.

 “Both of us are in the moving on stage. We often see each other in ABS-CBN and we still exchange hi’s and hello’s. I’d like to think that we never lost our friendship,” Jake says, clearing the issue about Roxanne.

The most he could do now is take good care of his leading ladies the way a real gentleman does. Letting his heart play around is a no-no for Jake. That is why he just shrugs when some people tag him as playboy, flirting with girls. He is even mum on rumors about him and Bea Alonzo, asking the press if he could just keep the matter to himself .

Jake feels elated however, upon hearing that John Lloyd Cruz, Bea’s perennial screen partner, approves whatever he (Jake) feels for Bea.

“Anyone may find Bea girlfriend material as she is beautiful and I’d like to let you know that I’m her fan prior to my joining showbiz,” Jake says, trying to steer the topic away from the issue.

All he wants, Jake says, is to take his career more seriously. He believes there is still a lot to learn. He tries to get something worthwhile for his craft not just from some of the actors he looks up to like Robin Padilla, Richard Gomez, Gabby Concepcion and Pen Medina but  from the people he meets everyday. Jake believes he could get an idea or two even from sampaguita vendors who knock on the window of his car or the tagatak boys who bravely cross the dangerous streets and highways of the Metro just to earn a living.

“I also learn from my leading ladies. I add everything which  I find good in them, things that would help me to improve my craft. Creativeness is a must for every actor,” Jake imparts.

Indeed, his two years working with the Kapamilya network is so fruitful Jake couldn’t ask for anything more. And he’s getting his  just reward for all the hard work by acquiring a new condo and a brand new car. But this is not to say that Jake doesn’t have time to play. The short break from TV after playing lead on Palos gave him time to recharge and find ways of having a better focus in his  career.

Free time, he adds, is a good thing but in this all-too-fickle industry where the next big thing seems to pop out as fast as a blink of an eye, it may not sound good as people have the tendency to forget too easily.

“A short break is enough. I’m happy to go back to work because this is where I pour out all my emotions — happy, sad and in action,” Jake states.

Jake will also be seen in a horror movie with Maja Salvador soon under Star Cinema. He will be in a Bench fashion show on July 25 and will fly to US for a series of shows with the Coverboys.

With the many projects falling on his lap these days, how does Jake plan to keep his popularity? Does he now see himself as a star?

“By praying hard and working hard. I just see myself as Jake the actor, who will work and act as long as people want me to,” Jake replies.