Jake Cuenca on Sam Pinto: "No one knows me better than her."

"Pagdating kay Sam [Pinto], ginagawa kong responsibilidad ko bilang leading man na alagaan siya sa set, di ba? So, sa akin, masayang-masaya ako na kasama ko siya. At sana magtambal pa kami sa mga susunod na proyekto," says Jake Cuenca about his leading lady in Elias Paniki, Sam Pinto (inset).

Jake once courted the former PBB Double Up housemate when they were still in the modeling industry.

Jake Cuenca was excited when he found out that he would be working with Sam Pinto again.



It was reported that Jake once courted the former Pinoy Big Brother Double Up housemate when both of them were not yet in showbiz. But no relationship prospered.
While others would feel awkward working with an old flame, Jake and Sam felt otherwise in their reunion project, the weekly fantasy series Agimat: Ang mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla Presents Elias Paniki.



In fact, when Jake found out about their team-up, he immediately called Sam. "Masayang-masaya ako kasi nga magkakilala na kami, matagal ko na siyang hindi nakakasama o nakikita. Noong sinabi sa akin na siya 'yong magiging leading lady ko dito sa Agimat, sobrang saya ko talaga. As in tumawag pa nga po ako sa kanya, 'O, magkasam raw tayo sa Elias Paniki!'" Jake related to PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other media at the presscon of Agimat yesterday, May 12.



Jake also mentioned that his past relationship with Sam helped in building rapport on the set. "Tulad nga po ng sinabi ni Sam, dahil sa past na 'yon, nakatulong po 'yon sa mga eksena, e," he said.



The young actor added, "Suwabeng-suwabe po 'yong taping namin. Nagulat nga ako kasi hindi ko ma-imagine na umaarte si Sam. Kasi, knowing her, talagang magkaibigan pa kami noon, talagang wala pa sa plano niya ang mag-artista. Kaya naninibago ako."



Since Jake entered showbiz earlier than his former colleague in modeling, the actor took the initiative to guide her during their tapings.



He said, "Kinuha ko na lang ang responsibilidad na i-guide siya kasi siyempre, bago sa kanya ang mundo ng showbiz. So, 'yon, gina-guide ko naman po siya sa taping."



What can he say about Sam's potential as an actress?



"Magaling siya, honestly," Jake replied. "Sa totoo lang, magaling siya. Nagulat ako, sa unang eksena pa lang namin, ang galing niya talagang umarte kaya it's really my pleasure to be working with her."



For those who think that this could be the chance for Jake to continue what he has started with Sam before, it looks like the actor hasn't really thought about it yet.



Jake, so far, is contented having Sam as his leading lady. For him, "Malaking blessing na kada taping kasama ko siya. Basta kasama ko siya, nandito siya sa tabi ko, masaya na ako. Tulad nga ng sinabi ko noon, wala nang ibang nakakakilala sa akin, no one knows me better than Sam.



"Kilala na niya ako noong hindi pa ako artista. Nakita niya akong magsimula. Nakita na niya ako magmula noong hindi pa kami nag-aartista, nagmo-model pa lang ako. Kilalang-kilala ako ni Sam kaya ang mabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na makasama ko siya sa taping, masayang-masaya ako doon."