Jak Roberto is eye candy that reminds everyone else to work it---and work it real hard---if you are ever going to be as remotely as buff as him.
Jak shows off his physique in all its glory (Instagram)
In an interview, he grinned when someone pointed out he seems to have lost weight. We secretly rolled our eyes at that person's general direction.
"Thank you Lord may nakakapansin na," he said, laughing. "'Yan ang pinaka-sweet na salitang narinig ko."
He went on to spill the beans: he visits the gym six times a week. The guy practically lives there.
"Isang beses lang 'yung pahinga pero light lang 'yung dalawang araw du'n sa anim," he said.
He recalled that when they had a one-week break from taping, he went to the gym for seven days straight to regain what he had lost. He tips that for muscle gain, weights. For weight loss, cardio exercise or High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workout.
We remember googling a picture of him earlier (for research purposes, you understand) and, yes, Jak knows his stuff.
In terms of food intake, it's high in protein, less carbohydrates for him. He likes red meat and soy milk.
How to be you, Jak.
Next action star?
His abs aren't just for vanity but work-necessary. Jak needs to stay fit to effectively play Jong Generoso on "Contessa."
Jong is a criminology student, son of a police offer played by Leandro Baldemor.
"Ako 'yung nakikipaglaban, nakikipag suntukan sa mga nang-aapi. Parang mabigat 'yung kamay ko, palaaway ako lalong-lalo na kapag naapi ang bestfriend ko," he said.
The actor hopes the role will cue his home network to build him up as an action star.
"Sobrang fulfilling kasi every year nga nagle-level up 'yung takbo ng career ko. Dati third-wheel tapos nagkaroon ng 'Meant To Be.' Ngayon it's me ang Glaiza sa istorya," he would muse aloud on his career path later in the interview.
"Kaya sobrang happy at nagpapasalamat din ako sa GMA na ni-launch nila ako bilang action star dito na pinapangarap ng marami."
But turning serious he admitted it was one of his dreams ever since he was a kid.
Ties that bind
Jak and Glaiza sometimes bump into each other at the gym. They became thick as thieves in Singapore last year for the Kapuso October Feast.
Jak hits the gym with his sister, actress Sanya Lopez
"Nakatulong talaga 'yung nagkasama kami du'n kasi nu'ng una talaga 'pag nakikita ko si Glaiza eh tahimik lang lalo na nu'ng 'Encantadia' days," he said.
Glaiza and Jak's sister. Sanya Lopez, were both part of the reboot of the defunct fantasy-drama series "Encantadia."
"So medyo nakaka-intimidate kasi hindi mo alam kung paano mo i-a-approach kasi feeling ko seryosong tao siya pero nu'ng nakasama ko siya sa Singapore sobrang saya. As in naging comfortable kami sa isa't-isa," Jak said.
What are their similarities?
"Parehas kaming 'di palabas, hindi pala-gimmick," he said. "Kaya nga nu'ng nasa Singapore, para kaming mga batang nakawalan"
He believes being comfortable with your co-star helps translate to magic on screen.
"Malaking bagay 'yun para sa akin. Naniniwala ako na kailangan makausap mo muna 'yung actor or makilala mo muna siya as a person kasi ang hirap nu'ng nangangapa ka sa eksana na kung sensitive ba siya sa ganito, sa ganyan kaya maganda 'yung nakilala mo muna 'yung ka eksena."