Jake Cuenca Nixed Another Soap Just To Be With Jessy Mendiola In 'Maria Mercedes'

JAKE CUENCA is flattered by the positive feedback his performance as a gay rebel in “Lihis” elicited. “It shows na hindi ako nagkamali in accepting the role to spread my wings as an actor,” he says. “Now, balik naman ako in a more conventional role as the leading man of Jessy Mendiola in ‘Maria Mercedes’. But after this, I will do another gay role as the closet queen husband of Cristine Reyes in Viva’s ‘When Love Has Gone’ for Direk Andoy Ranay. At least, as an actor, hindi ako nata-typecast sa iisang klase ng role lang.”

As Luis Sancuevas in “Maria Mercedes”, Jake is a rich businessman who falls in love with the poor Jessy who plays the title role. Jessy will also fall for him but two women in his life will do everything to make life hell for Jessy, Vivian Velez and Nikki Gil.

“Nasa wish list ko talagang makasama ako sa show na ito,” adds Jake. “I was offered two teleseryes at ito ang pinili ko dahil kay Jessy, who is perfect for the role of ‘Maria Mercedes’ at gusto ko talagang makapareha siya. Noong una, nahihiya pa ako sa kanya kasi first time namin to work together. But now, lagi akong excited sa taping. Okay lang laging mapuyat basta kasama ko siya sa set. Iba yung alindog ni Jessy, e.”

He knows Jessy has many suitors. So is he really courting Jessy? “I’m not that the type who’d announce na nanliligaw ako. Basta kung may nakakaalam, sa amin na lang ni Jessy yun. Mararamdaman na lang niya.”

Jessy is asked if Jake is courting her? “Ewan ko. Pero lagi niya akong binibigyan ng paella.”

“Tradisyon kasi sa family namin ang paella,” says Jake.

“In fairness, masarap ang paella niya,” says Jessy, which sends the writers present at the presscon hooting as they say it’s Jake’s way of “pampa-elya.”