AFTER AN INTENSE STRETCH OF BACK-TO-BACK PROJECTS, Jake Cuenca is hitting the reset button.
“For now, I’m just resting. Doing ‘Batang Quiapo’ and ‘What Lies Beneath’ at the same time, together, it was really, really exhausting. Fulfilling, satisfying but exhausting so I have to recharge again and to rest a little bit… I need to reset,” Jake told this writer during an exclusive chat following the end of his series.
Knowing how much preparation and almost method-like approach Jake applies to his roles — for one, he immersed himself for months inside a prison to play Edong in “What Lies Beneath” — it’s natural to expect the same degree of intensity for a confirmed project that he’s doing next, although he can’t reveal the title just yet.
“Like what I was saying, at that time I was doing it, it was an effort but eventually like it became a standard. It’s something that when they offer me a project I’m equally just excited to prepare for it as I perform it. For me, it’s making that work again, like what I did for Edong, creating new habits, new routines, and doing things to cultivate an idea.
“I miss that! But then, to get that urge to do it again, you have to miss it. You have to step away and be yourself again. And once the right project comes, we will commit and dedicate (our efforts) all over again.”
Being himself again includes moving into his new home. Jake shared, “Now, I just moved into a bigger place, a bigger apartment. I’m decorating it, I’m fixing the furniture. At the same time, I’m just moving on
in my own time. It’s still in BGC, but it’s a bigger unit, parang it’s my gift to myself.”
The actor continued, “It’s just nice to move na wala kang schedule muna na sinusundan. When you’re doing two soaps at the same time, you’re really at the mercy of other people’s time. So you have to be there, on call ka. So for now, for the next month or next two months, I just want to enjoy my time, being Jake, spending time with family and we’re gonna fly to Korea for a vacation. So yeah, parang enjoy muna my own time.”
Does “me-time” mean dating again?
“Well, yeah, I’m single,” he said, addressing for the first time the viral photos of him out on dates. “For me, parang I’m at that stage (dating) where I’m enjoying my time. So parang finding myself again and I’m lucky to be meeting like amazing people, at the same time. Amazing people who are a great company as well.”
He said he’s not bothered about being seen out and about with someone during his personal time.
“You know, you see, when I’m with a woman, I really don’t necessarily hide. I don’t like that energy of hiding. For me, a woman should be… you should be proud of a woman. So, if I’m with a woman regardless if she’s my date or my partner, she’s my responsibility. I’m gonna treat it to the best of my capability.
“Now, like I don’t sell false promises, of course. But I’m never gonna be that type of person that’s hiding. I like to move. I’ve given a lot to my work also in terms of committing and dedicating myself to roles. So when it comes to my personal life, I’m going to live it the way I wanna live it. I’m not gonna hide.”
One thing is for sure, he’s long moved past and fully recovered from his ex.
“Oh yeah (I’ve recovered). I feel like everything that happened to me, it also is like, matutuldukan ko na in the same way na tinuldukan ko ang ‘Batang Quiapo’ and ‘What Lies Beneath.’ It is behind me now. Like I said, all my actions, everything that I do, decisions that I make now, are for me, and not based on someone’s opinion or my past or my history,” he told The STAR.
“Kumbaga, I’m moving on my own time, my own regard. I’ve pretty much moved on.”
In a past interview, Jake mentioned he might date a non-showbiz girl, but when asked about his preference again, he was quick to say, “I can’t really make those promises. For me, I like what I like. If may gusto ako, gusto ko ito. So whether showbiz or non-showbiz, I can’t really promise that. When I like a woman, it doesn’t really matter to me if she’s showbiz or non-showbiz. What matters to me is how I feel for a person.
“Honestly, I’m in that stage where I’m definitely moving on my own time. I’m really enjoying the stage of being single, enjoying yung wala kang, you know, that type of responsibility. Just having fun in life and enjoying someone’s company and the concept of if I’m on a date, it’s my obligation to make this date the best date of this girl across from me. So I’m enjoying that and finding that again.”
Recently, Jake has been spotted in public with beauty queen-turned-actress Rabiya Mateo, if not posting “flirty comments” on her Instagram, fueling romance rumors between the two celebs.