According to Jake Cuenca, it’s hard to be bad on screen with your crush and this he experienced in the recently-concluded Kapamilya soap The Blood Sisters where he was mean with female lead Erich Gonzales whom he admires off cam.
“As Rocco in the soap opera, I was bad to Erich. Although I enjoyed doing the character because it was challenging, I found it difficult at first because of her. She’s my crush!”
For how long does he have this crush on Erich?
“It’s been a long time now. You know, ever since, I was already attracted to her.”
How difficult was it being mean to the lovely star on screen?
“Honestly, it was the first time on my being a screen villain that I felt pity on the main character, only with Erich. I didn’t feel the same when I became ‘contravida’ to Gerald Anderson (‘Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin’) or Coco Martin (‘Panday’). But in Erich’s case, I had to motivate myself to play my part effectively. It’s really hard.”
Jake reveals he really requested top management to include him in The Blood Sisters.
“Yes! If I remember right, I was still doing Ikaw lang ang Iibigin then. I asked Tita Cory Vidanes if it’s possible for me to be given a role in Erich’s new soap. I’m truly glad and thankful that my wish was granted.”
Interestingly, which of Erich’s qualities does he admire?
“For me, her beauty goes beyond physical. I can also see her passion towards her craft. She wants to hone her acting skills to the hilt. I was able to watch her in the 2017 MMFF entry Siargao with Jericho Rosales and Jasmin Curtis-Smith and she amazed me. Apart from her physical allure, I’m hats-off to her acting skills.”
Jake further says that he always wanted to work with her and it happened in The Blood Sisters. And he thinks that what Erich did in the show was simply remarkable.
“It’s not easy breathing life to three different characters and yet, she delivered! Her patience is just commendable. Especially if you’ll consider that it was a teleserye that aired five times a week. It’s more difficult than shooting a movie,” says Jake.
If analyzed, they would make a handsome pair if ever.
“Well, thank you! At this point, I’m single. I’ve got no girlfriend. I just don’t know with Erich. I’m shy to ask.”
The competent actor doesn’t deny though that he goes out on dates.
“But to reiterate, I’m not yet in the position to commit to a serious relationship due to my hectic schedule. My workload is busy but I’m not complaining. First, I will top-bill a new program in which I’m the male lead. There’s also the movie I’m producing which highlights the lives of one of local ‘’biz’s unsung heroes, the stuntmen."
Of late, he’s given villain roles in his screen outings. Isn’t he afraid of being typecast?
“Nope, I don’t have that thinking. As a true actor, I have to prove to all and sundry that if you’re good enough, you won’t get typecast to a certain character.”
In fact, between lead and villain, the good-looking lad opts for the latter.
“Playing ‘contravida’ is so much fun. It’s closer to being a real person whereas sometimes, being the lead is too good to be true,” Jake ends.