By Jennifer Kaye M. True-Santos
Juan Carlos Cuenca, popularly known in showbiz as Jake Cuenca, is a Filipino-American model, an internationally recognized and award-winning actor who’s been in the showbiz industry for 21 years. Jake
started his acting career when he was just 14 years old but had already started modelling at eight years of age.
Now 34 years old, his proven versatility and passion for acting has landed him many unforgettable roles, the latest portraying the character of Eros del Rio in the action-drama series “The Iron Heart” which is aired daily in Kapamilya Channel’s Primetime Bida evening block, A2Z, TV5 and worldwide via The Filipino Channel, replacing 2 Good 2 Be True.
He also portrayed a gay dad in the 2022 MMFF film entry “My Father, Myself”, directed by Joel Lamangan, which is still showing in selected cinemas and as Jay, the son of a wealthy tycoon who tries to carve out his own path and build a name for himself without having to live under the shadow of his father in “K-Love”, a Viu original series made for Korean drama fans by Hollywood filmmakers led by series creator Corinna Vistan, a Marvel Studios executive.
Jake shares with enthusiasm that “the 21 years feels like yesterday, that’s how much fun this has been”.
According to him, “when I’m in the set and I’m acting, that’s when I feel free”. Being the only actor in his
family, Jake believes that he was destined for showbiz – God’s plan.
During his interview with Aster Amoyo, host of YouTube channel TicTalk with Aster Amoyo, he shared that being active in theatre Zoom groups every Saturdays was how he was able to maintain and hone his craft during the early pandemic lockdowns. This was his way as to not lose a step when it comes to his acting skills and not get “rusty”. “Rather than keep myself busy, I had to remind myself who I was and what I do and that’s acting.”. Jake shared that being passionate and wanting to be an actor is not enough for the “dog-eat-dog” industry, it must be backed up with actions – the willingness to be a master and become it. “That’s the kind of actor I want to become, a serious one.”
Jake looks up to veteran actors Albert Martinez, John Arcilla and the late Eddie Garcia as his showbiz idols and role models. “More than wishing, I’m more, parang saying “thank you” kase I’m getting to meet my heroes and I’m not disappointed, succeeding any expectations.”. Jake shared that a dream project for him would be working in theatre with John Arcilla.
“Those tears that you see on tv comes from a real place, so I can’t cry so fast. Ang galing umiyak on tv then you don’t cry in real life? It doesn’t work that way.”. Jake explains that there’s a price to pay when choosing to become an actor and to never built walls but instead confront what you’re going through. “If you can find joy in the process, that’s where the magic is, that’s the secret to success.”. Jake elaborates that having an edge as an actor meant doing homework, practicing and to “never stop believing yourself, do the work”.
When asked about his love life – “what if feels like, it feels like it’s my time now”. According to Jake,
he’s currently focusing on himself, making the most of the opportunities and if love comes along the way, “that would be nice”. He views his last relationship with former beauty queen Kylie Verzosa as “the biggest teacher of them all”. Talk about moving on, Jake expressed that he uses his feelings to turn it into art. “My mom is the center of everything. My mom is the sun. I won’t exist without my mom.”
Spending an hour or two on a daily basis talking to his mom, “my mom is just as involved as I am in this career”. He shared that moving on from his previous relationship was not one with a lot of friends, alcohol, parties or fun. Instead, it was a lot of conversing with his mom – unpacking a lot and doing many things. He shared that his future, “imaginary girlfriend” can rest assure that he will be the best version of himself, reflecting on the past. As for the shooting incident that he was involved in October last year, “people forget issues so fast, pero, but siyempre, trauma stays”.
According to Jake, his mom went through that traumatizing experience with him and turned them into
good ones to cope.
Looking forward and having lots to give in his acting career - “everything in the past is in the past, now
is now”. Jake elaborated that the pandemic paved a way for him to reintroduce himself and reminded him to be grateful - to make the most of what he has and do his best. “I’ve come to accept life in all its terms and conditions. So whatever happens with me, whether it’s good or bad, I accept it and I will play my cards to the best. The best way I can play it, kung baga tanggap ko ang realidad.”
Watch out for Jake Cuenca in the upcoming international film “Visitor”, directed by Fil-Am actor- director-producer Anthony Diaz V and “Cattleya Killer”, another upcoming international drama series directed by Filipino cinematographer and director Dan Villegas. The trailer, which shows pivotal scenes in the six-part series, was aired last Oct. 20, 2022. Jake Cuenca is also currently active in theater plays. “Deep Thought” under The Sandbox Collective is set to debut April this year in RCBC, Makati.