Jake Cuenca has come a long way

Jake Cuenca, one of the most bankable "hunky" actors, is now a household name. He is among the few who dares to walk the runway of Metro Manila's most-anticipated underwear and bachelor shows. Further cementing his sexy image is a memorable performance at the recently ended afternoon series, Pasion de Amor of ABS-CBN.

Cuenca has definitely come a long way after having been scouted by a talent agent: from a young print and TV commercial talent, to the serious actor and model he has become. Acting came after modeling, but only for a brief time, through small appearances in movies.

He officially entered the mainstream show business in 2004 as a GMA Artist. In 2006, he moved to ABS-CBN and has then since been with Star Magic.

Cuenca now aims to make a mark as a serious actor, and he is more than ready to prove it.

In May, he was hailed as Best Actor for his role in the indie film Mulat in the World Cinema Brazil 2016 held on May 22 at Copacabana, Brazil.

This came two years since bagging his first international acting recognition from the International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM) for the same film.

Cuenca claims that he never expected to gain yet a new recognition for the "passion picture" that he did two years ago.

"I felt good. Sinabi ko nga, itong movie na ito it was a passion picture. I didn't get so much for this. It wasn't a mainstream movie na parang naging blockbuster. It was a movie I did out of my passion of loving indie movies and, at the same time, it was something I did as support for the film industry in the Philippines," he says.

Apart from the Best Actor award, the film also took home the Best Narrative award in the aforementioned award-giving body.

Cuenca appreciates the fact that his Best Actor potential is being "especially noticed" in the international scene.

In May, Cuenca was hailed as Best Actor for his role in the indie film 'Mulat'


"It feels good when you accept a passion picture and it comes back to you this way, you win an award from different countries. May napanalo na akong award sa Pilipinas pero of course 'yung Best Actor na napanalo ko twice for this film was for an international film festival, so it feels really good," he stresses.

The Dianne Ventura psychological-thriller centers on the story of "mentally afflicted" Sam (played by Angel Loren Burgos) who is enamored to her new man Jake, played by Cuenca , but who happens to be engaged to Vincent (played by Ryan Eigenmann).

Cuenca believes his role here is refreshing and light, compared to his recent roles. Indeed Cuenca recently caused TV soap to simmer as Juan Samonte, in the recently concluded top-rating soap Pasion de Amor together with Coleen Garcia, Arci MuAoz, Ejay Falcon, and Joseph Marco.

"The role was very simple. It's very me. Kasi para ngang we had a relationship in a dream.

That was the storyline. It wasn't as challenging as some of the roles that I've done in the past," he shares.

Prior to venturing into international film festivals, the independently funded film actually became part of the Metro Manila Film Festival's New Wave Category in 2014.

Cuenca discloses that Ventura plans to bring their movie to other film festivals in Europe, after "conquering Brazil."

Source: Manila Time