Jake Cuenca

Juan Carlos Cuenca (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈkweŋka]; born December 30, 1987), popularly known as Jake Cuenca, is a Filipino actor. He also played for United Football League Division 2 sides Team Socceroo FC.

Jake Cuenca
Cuenca in 2012
Born	Juan Carlos Cuenca (1987-12-30) December 30, 1987 (age 36) San Jose, California, U.S
Nationality	Filipino
Occupations	Actor model
Years active	1998–present
Agents	GMA Artist Center (2003–2006) Star Magic (2006–present)

Entertainment career

At the age of nine, Cuenca was discovered by talent scout Arvin Bentonon for Cosmo Modeling Agency. Soon after, Cuenca appeared in several television and print advertisements including those for Safeguard, Coke and Globe Telecom. At eleven, he had cameo roles in movies such as Takbo Barbara Takbo and Panday in 1998. It was followed by another cameo in the 1999 film adaptation of the fantasy anthology, Wansapanataym.

In 2003, he returned to show business under GMA Network and appeared in the youth-oriented drama series, Click, where he was welcomed as a member of its third batch. Cuenca played a number of supporting roles in Hanggang Kailan, Forever in My Heart and the fifth season of Love to Love. In 2005, he starred as Kahlil in the hit fantasy series Encantadia. He also appeared in the ninth season of Love to Love titled “Miss Match”. In 2006, he starred as one of the wizards in the fantasy-themed television series, Majika, which became his last teleserye with GMA.

Cuenca in 2012

After transferring to ABS-CBN in 2006, he appeared in an episode of Love Spell, "Home Switch Home".

In 2007, he became part of the cast of the network's soap opera Sana Maulit Muli, his first primetime drama series on the network. Also, he starred as his first leading role in Sineserye Presents: Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos?. He portrayed Andrew - a rich, spoiled and irresponsible teen guy secretly in love with leading actress Roxanne Guinoo. Later, he was cast in the fantasy series Lastikman. He appeared in total 14 shows of ABS-CBN from late 2006 to 2007.

In 2008, he landed the lead role in ABS-CBN's remake of the action series Palos with Cesar Montano. He also played the main role of Kiko with Shaina Magdayao in Your song Presents: A million miles away. In the mini-series, he played Kiko -an assistant of Lizzie's father who asks him become a "babysitter" for Lizzie and her mean boyfriend, under the instruction of Lizzie's father. It is revealed that Kiko has been secretly in love with her for a long time.^[1]

In 2009, he starred in Tayong Dalawa alongside Kim Chiu, where he gained recognition and criticism. He portrayed David “Dave” Garcia, Jr, a jack-a-dandy soldier in the Philippine Army caught in a love triangle with Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu. The hit show was broadcast in neighbouring Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, as well as several African countries.^[2][3] That same year, he appeared in Precious Hearts Romances Presents: My Cheating Heart alongside Cristine Reyes.

In 2010, he portrayed the role of Alejandro in the Filipino remake of Rubi alongside Angelica Panganiban and Shaina Magdayao.^[4] He also starred as Elias Paniki in the fourth story of the Agimat series Elias Paniki alongside Sam Pinto and Xian Lim.

In 2011, he joined the main cast as Edward in the Filipino remake of the Korean drama Green Rose alongside Jericho Rosales, Anne Curtis and Alessandra De Rossi. After that, he portrayed Darmo Adarna, the well-known superhero of Filipino cartoon in Wansapanataym: Darmo Adarna, opposite Yen Santos. Different from a super-powered boy with a giant bird in the comic, Darmo Adarna in the show grows up as an overweight loser who is magically transformed into a muscular hero.

In 2012, he played the role of Paul Raymundo in Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo alongside two female stars Shaina Magdayao and Bangs Garcia, The triangle love and OFW story in the film attracted the interest of audience. The series reached top rating in 2012 although it was aired in the afternoon. Also that same year, he was part of the primetime series Kahit Puso'y Masugatan as Rafael - a young and charming photographer with a tragic life. It is really the challenging role for him because of his inner struggles in the film.

In 2013, he portrayed the role of Luis Sancuevas in the Filipino remake of Maria Mercedes with leading lady Jessy Mendiola and Jason Abalos.^[5]

In 2014, he starred as the main antagonist Franco in the epic drama series Ikaw Lamang with an ensemble cast.

In 2015–2016, he portrayed the role of Juan, one of the Samonte Brothers in the romantic drama series Pasión de amor, a Philippine adaptation of Telemundo-produced Pasión de Gavilanes, one of the most famous TV series in the year with top rating.

In the field of cinema, Cuenca was seen in mainstream films: In the Name of Love, Status: It's complicated, My Neighbor's Wife, Villa Estrella, Tuhog.... and featured in indie films such as: H.I.V.: Si Heidi, Si Ivy at si V (2010) - a film about AIDS, Nuwebe (2013), a film about child sexual abuse which gained local and international awards, Lihis (2013), Mulat (2014). Jake won his first best actor award at the International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM) in New York in 2014 for his performance in Diane Ventura's Mulat (Awaken), the same movie that won for him his second best actor at the 2016 World Cinema Festival in Copacabana, Brazil.^[6]

In 2022, he appears in The Iron Heart as Eros del Rio, the main antagonist in season 2 of the series who works as a CIB Agent but he is actually a secret leader of a crime organization called Altare.

Controversies

On the night of October 9, 2021, the actor's black Jeep Wrangler hit a Mandaluyong police car stationed a checkpoint along Shaw Boulevard as part of a buy-bust operation. A plainclothes officer reported that Cuenca had not stopped for routine inspection and instead rammed through the checkpoint barriers, prompting police to chase him until his tires were shot and he was cornered along West Capitol Road in Pasig. A stray bullet hit a Grab deliveryman, who came out in stable condition. Cuenca claimed he was afraid to stop for inspection at the checkpoint as the police were plainclothes. He was allowed to leave the police precinct at 5:00 am the next day for medical attention. He initially faced charges of reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property.^[7][8]

Personal life

In April 2024, Kylie Verzosa told Karen Davila that she is dating and on a new romantic but private relationship with a non-showbiz foreigner partner, whom she met by a common friend after her breakup with Cuenca in April, 2022. After dating since 2019, Jake moved out of the condominium unit having shared with Verzosa and unto a new house. Earlier the sweethearts loved their pets: Nugget, a bulldog and Leo, a poodle.^{[9][10][11][12]}

Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Source
2003–2004	Click	Tryke
2004	Hanggang Kailan	Warren Rosales
2004–2005	Forever in My Heart	William
2004–2006	SOP Sobrang Okey, Pare!	Himself
2004	Love to Love	Trey	Episode: "Love Blossoms"
2005	Encantadia	Kahlil
	Love to Love	Migs	Episode: "Miss Match"
2006	Majika	Terman
2006–2007	Komiks: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko	Napoleon / Jaime Gatchalian
2006	Love Spell	Juano	Episode: "Home Switch Home"
	Your Song		Episode: "Silent Night"
2006–present	ASAP	Himself - Co-host / Performer
2007	Sana Maulit Muli	Brandon Johnson		[13]
	Komiks: Pedro Penduko at ang mga Engkantao	Napoleon / Jaime Gatchalian
	Your Song	Gino	Episode: "Very Special Love"
	Love Spell	Brian	Episode: "Sweet Sixty"
	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Lt. Ariel Toledo	Episode: "Application Form"
	Natutulog Ba ang Diyos?	Andrew Angeles
2007–2008	That's My Doc	Jake
	Mars Ravelo's Lastikman	Kenneth "Ken" Madrigal
2008	Palos	Giancarlo Caranzo / Palos
	I Am KC	Jeremy	Episode: "Bb. Palengke"
	Your Song	Kiko	Miniseries: "A Million Miles Away"
	Lovebooks Presents	Treak	Episode: "Break-Up Diaries"
	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Roger Ugnay	Episode: "Sulat"
2008-2009	Komiks: Dragonna	Edgar
2009	Tayong Dalawa	David "Dave" M. Garcia Jr.		[14]
	Pangarap Kong Jackpot		Episode: "Hawak Kita, Hawak Mo Ko"
	Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Bud Brothers	Vicente "Vince" Banaag
	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Arman	Episode: "Pregnancy Kit"
	Your Song	Jordan	Episode: "Sa Kanya"
2009-2010	Precious Hearts Romances Presents: My Cheating Heart	Emilio "Mio" Sta. Romana		[15]
2010	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Fidel	Episode: "Litrato"
	Rubi	Alejandro Cardenas		[16]
	Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla: Elias Paniki	Elias "Elias Paniki" Sta. Maria / Armando		[17][18][19]
	Wansapanataym	Leandro	Miniseries: "Cara"
	Your Song Presents: Andi	Aries	Episode: "Tell Me"
2011	Your Song Presents: Kim	Max	Episode: "Till The End"
	Green Rose	Edward Fuentebella
	Showtime	Himself	Judge
	Guns and Roses	Paolo Ventura
	Wansapanataym	Dario	Miniseries: "Darmo Adarna"
	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Louie	Episode: "Susi"
	100 Days to Heaven	Young Tagasundo	Special Finale Participation / Antagonist
2012	Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo	Paulino "Paul" Raymundo		[20][21][16]
2012-2013	Kahit Puso'y Masugatan	Rafael de Guzman		[22]
2013-2014	Maria Mercedes	Luis Sancuevas		[23]
2014-2015	Ikaw Lamang (Book 1)	Franco Hidalgo		[24][25][26]
2014	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Igge	Episode: "Palayan"
2015	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Marvin	Episode: "Spaghetti"
2015-2016	Pasión de Amor	Juan Samonte/Reyes		[27]
2016-2017	FPJ's Ang Probinsyano	Jonas Paulino
2016	Ipaglaban Mo!	Anton	Episode: "Hardinero"
2017	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Jojo	Episode: "Soccer Ball"
2017–2018	Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin	Carlos Dela Vega
2018-2019	The Blood Sisters	Rocco Fernandez
	Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Los Bastardos	Isagani Esperanza / Roman Cardinal Jr.
2019–2020	The Haunted	Jordan Robles
2020-2021	Walang Hanggang Paalam	Dexter Joaquin
	Ate ng Ate Ko	Marco Toledo		[28]
2021–2022	Viral Scandal	Troy Ramones
2022–2023	The Iron Heart	Eros "Commando" Del Rio
2023	Cattleya Killer	Benjie dela Rosa		[29]
	Jack and Jill sa Diamond Hills	Jack Corporal
2024	What's Wrong with Secretary Kim	Cyrus "Morpheus" Castillo

Film

Year	Film	Role	Notes	Source
1998	Takbo Barbara Takbo	Jordan
1998	Hiwaga ng Panday	Dominic
1999	Wansapanataym		Uncredited
2004	Kilig... Pintig... Yanig...	Juancho
2004	Spirit of the Glass	TJ
2005	Say That You Love Me	Edward
2008	For the First Time	Josh
2009	Villa Estrella	Alex
2010	H.I.V.: Si Heidi, Si Ivy at si V	Virgilio Bustamante
2010	Super Inday and the Golden Bibe	Jeffrey "Amazing Jay"		[13]
2011	In the Name of Love	Dylan Evelino
2011	My Neighbor's Wife	Bullet Bernal
2013	Tuhog	Renato 'Nato' Timbacaya
2013	Nuwebe/Termitaria	Moises		[30]
2013	Lihis	Cesar / Ka Jimmy		[31]
2013	Status: It's Complicated	Manny
2013	When the Love Is Gone	Yuri
2014	El Brujo	Lucky
2016	Foolish Love	Victor/ Rey Dela Cruz
2016	Mano Po 7: Tsinoy	Marco
2016	Mulat (Awaken)	Jake
2017	Requitted	Matt Labrador
2017	Ang Panday	Lizardo		[32]
2019	Eerie	Julian Castro		[33]
2019	KontrAdiksyon	Alexis Borlaza
2019	Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity	Don Johnson
2020	Love Lockdown	Jacob
2020	Sitsit	Scorpio
2022	My Father, Myself	Robert

Digital

Year	Film	Role	Notes	Source
2022	K-Love	Jay	Main Role / Protagonist
2024	What's Wrong with Secretary Kim	Morpheus

Accolades

Year	Organization/Award-Giving Body	Award/Nomination/Category	Nominated work	Result	Ref
2008	4th ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice Awards 2008	Pop Male Fashionista	—	Nominated
2009	5th ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice Awards 2009	Pop Male Fashionista	—	Nominated
2011	7th ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice Awards 2011	Pop Pin Up Boy	—	Nominated
2012	60th FAMAS Awards	Best Supporting Actor	In the Name of Love	Nominated
2012	35th Gawad Urian Awards	Best Supporting Actor Pinakamahusay ng Pangalawang Aktor	In the Name of Love	Nominated
2014	16th Gawad PASADO Awards	PinakaPASADOng Katuwang na Aktor	When the Love is Gone	Won
2014	Yahoo! OMG! Philippines Awards	Male Kontrabida of the Year	Ikaw Lamang	Won
2014	28th PMPC Star Awards for Movies	Movie Supporting Actor of the Year	In the Name of Love	Won
2014	28th PMPC Star Awards for TV	Best Drama Supporting Actor	Ikaw Lamang	Nominated
2014	International Film Festival Manhattan	Best Actor	Mulat (Awaken)	Won
2014	5th Inquirer Indie Bravo Awards	Best Actor	Mulat (Awaken)	Won
2014	Queens World Film Festival	Best Actor	Nuwebe	Nominated
2015	ENPRESS Golden Screen TV Awards	Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Program	Ikaw Lamang	Nominated
2015	7th Ani Ng Dangal Awards	Best Actor	Mulat (Awaken)	Won
2016	2016 World Cinema Festival in Copacabana, Brazil	Best actor	Mulat (Awaken)	Won	[6]
2017	2017 Metro Manila Film Festival	Best Supporting Actor	Ang Panday	Nominated
2019	2019 Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards	Best Male Lead Actor	Lungs	Nominated

Sporting career

Cuenca is a sports enthusiast, even during his younger days. Due to a weight problem he encountered as a child, he was determined to play sports more when he grew up. Although he has done boxing and mixed martial arts, he is mainly a football player, playing twice a week.^[34] As an elementary and high school student, Cuenca played as a football varsity player for PAREF Southridge School.

In October 2011, he signed up for Team Socceroo F.C., which at that time played as a guest club in the 2011–12 United Football Cup, and later entered in the United Football League Division 2. He is yet to play for the first team as showbiz commitments have not permitted him to do so.^[35]

Cuenca has also shown interest to try out for the Philippines in international competitions.^[36]

External links

• Media related to Jake Cuenca at Wikimedia Commons

References

1. "Jake Cuenca, Shaina Magdayao, and Marvin Raymundo Topbill "Your Song"". pep.ph.
2. "MH Interview: Jake Cuenca and Gerald Anderson". September 23, 2010.
3. ""Tayong Dalawa" Aired in Vietnam". May 24, 2023.
4. "Angelica Panganiban and Jake Cuenca sShoot a Love Scene for Rubi". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
5. "Meet the Leading Man of Pinoy 'Maria Mercedes'". ABS-CBN News.
6. "Jake Cuenca cherishes first international best actor award". Archived from the original on October 31, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
7. Pascual, Jekki (October 10, 2021). "Jake Cuenca, hinuli matapos umanong makabangga at tumakas". ABS-CBN News (in Tagalog). Retrieved October 10, 2021.
8. "Grab driver hit by stray bullet during Cuenca car chase". Manila Bulletin. October 10, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
9. Evangelista, Jessica Ann (April 13, 2024). "Kylie Verzosa says she is more peaceful now in a non-showbiz relationship". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
10. "'It's really peaceful': Kylie Verzosa says she'd prefer to keep new relationship private". Rappler. November 29, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
11. Purnell, Kristofer (June 8, 2022). "'Here's to new beginnings': Jake Cuenca moves into new home post-split with Kylie Verzosa". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
12. Bernardino, Stephanie (October 21, 2020). "Kylie Verzosa on 'live-in' setup with Jake Cuenca: 'So what?'". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
13. "Cast Members: Super Inday and the Golden Bibe". pep.ph.
14. "'Tayong Dalawa' Premieres on January 19". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN Interactive. January 8, 2009. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
15. Franco, Bernie (November 30, 2009). "Cristine Reyes and Jake Cuenca Reveal What They Miss About Each Other". Showbuzz Feature. ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 1, 2009.
16. "Throwback: Shaina Magdayao's Teleserye Journey". February 11, 2017.
17. "Jake Cuenca on his Role as Elias Paniki: I've Been Hungry for this Project". Retrieved August 29, 2012.
18. "Jake Cuenca Hopes he can Make Ramon Revilla Sr. Proud". Retrieved August 29, 2012.
19. "Jake Cuenca Becomes Elias Paniki in Agimat: Ang mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla". May 17, 2010.
20. "ABS-CBN Releases Trailer of 'Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo'". April 3, 2012.
21. "Jake Cuenca and Shaina Magdayao Topbill Overseas Filipino-serye, Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo". pep.ph. March 27, 2012.
22. "Love Tests Bond of Sisterhood in Kahit Puso'y Masugatan". Archived from the original on July 10, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
23. Plaza, Gerry (May 31, 2021). "Filipino Adaptations of Famed Foreign Dramas".
24. "Meet the Powerhouse Cast of 'Ikaw Lamang'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
25. "New Trailer for Period Drama 'Ikaw Lamang' Released". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
26. "'Ikaw Lamang' Sets Premiere Date, Debuts Full Trailer". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
27. ""Pasion de Amor" Heats Up Primetime TV Beginning Monday". ABS-CBN PR. Archived from the original on May 22, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
28. "TV5 gets Aggressive with Fresh Lineup of Primetime Dhows". The Manila Standard. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
29. "WATCH: Official full trailer for Arjo Atayde's film 'Cattleya Killer' released". ABS-CBN News. October 20, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
30. "True Horror: On Cinemalaya 2013's Nuwebe and the Monster that is Moises". SPOT.PH.
31. Dy, Philbert Ortiz (August 21, 2015). "Lihis Movie Review - Newfound Passion". ClickTheCity.
32. Fernando, Jeff (July 20, 2017). "Jake Cuenca, Ang Bagong Lizardo". ABS-CBN.
33. "ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc. (Star Cinema)". www.facebook.com. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
34. Mendoza-Dayrit, Mylene (August 2, 2011). "Jake Cuenca: Abs-olutely fit for the role". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
35. Jarloc, Glaiza (October 12, 2011). "Celebrities to Play in UFL Cup". Sun.Star Manila. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
36. "Azkals, Bukas sa mga Artistang Nais Pumasok sa Team". ABS-CBN News (in Filipino). April 8, 2011. Retrieved April 2, 2012.

Notes

External links

• Jake Cuenca at IMDb