Jake Cuenca Goes All-Out For ‘Tayong Dalawa’

Unlike his previous role in the action series Palos, Jake Cuenca’s latest role takes a more dramatic turn as he plays the conflicted Navy officer David Garcia in the upcoming teleserye Tayong Dalawa, which also stars Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson.

Different as it may be from his older work, the actor shares that he can definitely relate with his newest character. “This role is going to be a little bit intense kasi. Nakaka-relate rin siguro ako kasi tulad nung pagka-laki ko, meron akong feeling na underachiever ako sa mata ng daddy ko. Na kahit anong pilit kong gawin, na kahit anong pursigi ko sa buhay ko, hindi ko ma-please daddy ko. Yun lang naman talaga hinahanap ng character ko eh, yung approval ng tatay for anything. Whether it be relationship-wise or with school—anything. Hinahanap lang ng character yung approval at pagmamahal ng daddy niya,” he explains.

It was also a good coincidence that Jake’s best friend since childhood is currently in the military service. “When I was first approached to do this project, I was really happy. Kasi first of all, my best friend talaga ever since [childhood] is studying in PNPA, so maybe this is my chance to represent my best friend. I’m going to take a lot of pride in this role kasi siyempre yung pamilya nung kaibigan ko, lahat sila mga sundalo din.

Sinabi ko naman sa kanila na kung hindi ako makagawa ng magandang trabaho dito, sabihin niyo sa akin agad. Kasi siyempre, ayoko naman pahiyain yung PMA (Philippine Military Academy) at PMPA,” he shares.

The Coverboys member, who got the chance to play the role of a soldier in a previous episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya, says that he feels that the show can help people understand what army life can be like. “It’s a series, so there’s going to be a good exposure to represent the Philippine Army. I’m really happy with this project kasi ‘di ba tulad sa States, ang dami dami nilang tributes to the soldiers who fight for the country.

I think it’s about time na Philippine television has made something for the Philippine army kasi totoo naman na hindi naging madali sa Philippine army with the lack of budget and lack of everything. So sana mapanuod nila ito at maging proud sila. Gagawin namin ni Gerald Anderson lahat ng kaya namin para maitayo naming itong show na ito at maging proud sila sa ginagawa namin,” he declares.

For his role as a military man, Jake Cuenca even contemplated chopping off all his hair for the role, but then decided otherwise when he was reminded of his numerous product endorsement responsibilities. The heartthrob also shares how he buffed up for his role. “Right now kasi, I’m a vegetarian. I rarely eat meals na may meat talaga. And I never stopped playing football on weekends. Bale goal ko rin naman for the show is it’s not enough that I act the part, I should look the part also.

Gusto kong mag-mukhang sundalo din for the show. I’m doing more of cardio training more than weight lifting. Hindi ako masyado nagwe-weights ngayon. I just really do a lot of cardio, even at home. I still do boxing and my sprints. I don’t lift weights anymore. Hindi naman nagwe-weights ang karamihan ng mga sundalo eh,” he admits.

Jake Cuenca also admits that he also once contemplated on joining the military himself instead of continuing on as an actor. “I think I did think about it because my best friend went into it. At that time, I wasn’t really doing too well in showbiz.

It occurred to me that I kind of wanted to pero dahil sa awa ng buhay, naging mas mabuti ang career ko sa buhay. At ito naman talaga yung mahal ko eh. Mahal kong gawin yung trabaho ko,” he says.

~MANILA P. SANTOS