Jake Cuenca: I won't expect to win an acting award again

MANILA, Philippines - Jake Cuenca admits he expected to win the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in the ABS-CBN drama “Ikaw Lamang” during the recently-concluded 28th PMPC Star Awards for Television.

The award went to John Estrada, also for his role in “Ikaw Lamang.” The ABS-CBN actor admitted feeling disappointed over his loss to Estrada.

“I’m never gonna expect anything again. Ayaw ko nang mag-expect. For me, I was very disappointed,” Jake said during the press conference of his independent movie “Mulat” recently.

“But I was also happy for kuya John (Estrada) because kasama din siya sa “‘Ikaw Lamang,’” he said.

Jake had been open about being proud of his work in “Ikaw Lamang,” wherein he played the antagonist Franco to Coco Martin and Kim Chiu, who both won awards for their role from the Star Awards.

“For that role, I was kind of expecting but it didn’t happen. I had my moment with it. Then I had taping the next day, let’s go, move on na lang,” Jake said.

While he lost at the Star Awards for TV, the ABS-CBN actor received a best actor trophy in the International Film Festival Manhattan for his role in “Mulat.”

“Manhattan is Manhattan. It’s an international award,” Jake said when asked about the recognition. “But malaking bagay din sa akin yung Star Awards kasi it was for Franco and it was for ‘Ikaw Lamang,’ I gave so much of my life to that character.”

He further said: “Ganun talaga ang buhay. Kung kailan nag-expect ka, doon hindi nangyari. Kung kailan 'di ka nag-expect, doon nangyari.”

READ: Jake Cuenca wins acting award in New York

"I had my moment with it. There’s a moment of disappointed, there’s a moment of nothing. Andun yung disappointed. But we all did our best in that show. So regardless kung sino man ang nanalo, to everyone  who won, congratulations. I was disappointed at first, now I’m over it.”

Jake will star in the upcoming ABS-CBN drama “Pasion de Amor” with Arci Munoz, Ellen Adarna and Coleen Garcia.

“May panibago akong teleserye sa harapan ko and it’s another opportunity for me to showcase my best,” he said.

The project comes after Jake's one-month method acting workshop at the Lee Strasburg Theater and Film Institute in New York.

“Ang laking tulong to have a deeper understanding of the craft. Ang laking tulong pa nung nanalo ako ng award. Actually, alam ko naman iyon (na may pressure). I’m gonna do my best like I always do,” he said of his experience in New York. “In time, I want this knowledge to come in naturally. Ayaw ko naman na pilitin, na ‘Uy may expectations.’ Tapos baka mamaya maging OA.”

“Mulat” is part of the New Wave category of the 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival and will screening from December 17 to December 24 at cinemas in SM Megamall and Trinoma.