Jessy biglang itsapwera ni Jake!

Few obviously remember that Jake Cuenca started in showbiz as a child star.

He was nine years old when he appeared in GMA 7 – sa programang Click.

Pero common knowledge, Jake left with his family abroad, where they lived for sometime.

Jake was a little matured na when he returned home. Not necessarily to stay for keeps, but only for a visit.

“Noong unang makita ko si Jake sa isang mall, ilang buwan nang siya’y dumating, hindi mo aakalaing he will grow up to be the hunk that he is now.

“Ang taba niya,” Neil de Guia, who co-talent manages him with Star Magic, the discovery and talent arm of ABS-CBN, “Ganunpaman, there was something in and about him which drew him to people. Even to strangers, na tulad ko.

“Nagulat ako nang itanong ko kung gusto niyang mag-artista, ang kanyang maiksing sagot, oo.

“At that time, wala akong alam na naging child actor siya,” pahayag pa ni Neil.

At that time too, Douglas Quijano, na kilalang may eye for potential actors, mapa-babae o lalaki, was still alive. And he was close to Neil.

Neil told Douglas about Jake, who suggested na dalhin si Jake sa kanya, para makita niya ito at mabigyan ng verdict kung pupuwede itong mag-artista o hindi.

One quick look kay Jake and he advised him to lose weight. And turning to Neil, he told Neil na huwag tantanan ang pagpapa-alaala kay Jake to look after his diet and going to the gym para madaling pumayat.

“Sayang at bago natupad ang balak ni Tito Doug, para kay Jake, binawian ito bigla ng buhay.

“Ganunpaman, Jake and I decided na ‘wag biguin si Tito Doug,” related Neil further.

Jake first and most controversial role was Lihis, said Neil. And that started him getting more controversial and challenging roles, no longer lang sa pelikula, kung hindi sa TV din.

Walang dudang isa si Jake sa pinaka-busiest talent among the Kapamilya contract stars na kaedad niya. Right after his stint as Jessy Mendiola’s leading man sa series na Maria Mercedes, he was assigned sa controversial role of Franco in Ikaw Lamang. He is so in love with Isabel (played by Kim Chiu), so much so, he will do everything, anything in his power mapakasalan lang siya.

Kaya lang, in love si Isabel kay Samuel (Coco Martin).

Now guess what. Sa tunay na buhay, in love rin si Jake. Yes, sa Fil-Aussie na si Chanel Olive Thomas.

Chanel is the reason why Jake reportedly decided not to go after Jessy, nang tapos na ang kanilang first series together, Maria Mercedes.

Commercial and ramp model si Chanel. Jake obviously is so in love with Chanel, na every activity na gawin nila, he posts in his social media account.

Sa kanyang report sa kanyang social media account nalaman ng publiko na may bago siyang girlfriend.

Jake was formerly linked to Melissa Ricks and Roxanne Guinoo.

Melissa now has a new boyfriend, a former classmate, she said. Roxanne naman is now happy housewife to a non showbiz, with whom may dalawa siyang anak.

Occasionally, lumalabas pa rin sa television si Roxanne. Melissa, on the other hand, has just completed her part in Honesto, as elder sister to Raikko Mateo, five years old, at siyang naatasang gumanap na title role.