Actor Jake Cuenca is keeping himself busy with numerous projects. In addition to his role in the hit series What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? he’s also starring in the TV5 sitcom Jack and Jill sa Diamond Hills alongside Sue Ramirez.
In the pipeline, Jake is teaming up with Baron Geisler for two films. The first, Santo Miro, is an action thriller directed by Lester Pimentel Ong, known for his work on The Iron Heart. For their second collaboration, they’ll be taking a surprising turn – a Boys Love (BL) themed movie tentatively titled Change Oil under the helm of Cebuano director Don Frasco.
When asked about the level of intimacy in the BL project, Jake kept it lighthearted.
“We’ll get to that after the action movie where we have to kill each other first. Then maybe the love can begin,” he said in jest.
Jake’s openness to different roles is evident in his recent collaborations. “At this point in my career, I want to work with everyone,” he explained. “From Richard Gutierrez and Arjo Atayde to Paulo Avelino and Baron Geisler, I believe working with the best brings out the best in you.”
“At the same time also, when are we going to do this collaboration? When we’re 50? I tell everyone I’m working with that now is the time to do all these collaborations when the limelight is still on us, when people still care about us when people still love us,” Jake said.
“Sabi ko it’s time to show people these things now because the last thing you’d want to do is start assembling a group of actors when we’re like 55. But, I mean, you can do it by all means, but I feel like now is the time,” he added.
In addition to his work on television and film, Jake is also passionate about theater. Last year, he starred in a production that challenged traditional notions of masculinity, titled Dick Talk. This followed his 2018 debut in the play Lungs.
“The audience response is immediate, and that gives me a huge adrenaline rush onstage,” he told Manila Standard Entertainment. “The acting is also different compared to TV or film. It really hones your skills as an actor.”
“That’s why I love theater,” he continued. “It’s about the incredible people who come together to turn small dreams into reality. It’s about putting everything on the line, taking risks for the performance, rising to the occasion, and proving to yourself that you can do it. It’s about the simple act of transforming a page into a living experience.”