Anna Marie Lukban

Jake Cuenca, Baron Geisler on how to become effective kontrabidas, working with each other in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo”

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

<p>Jake Cuenca and Baron Geisler are undeniably two of the most brilliant and accomplished actors of their generation. Thus, it’s truly a delight to see them work together again on <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo"><strong><u>“FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,”</u></strong></a> wherein they astonish us with their impeccable portrayals of their respective characters, Miguelito Guerrero and Rockyboy Mondragon.</p><p>We may often see their characters vehemently fighting onscreen, Jake and Baron are actually good friends and close to each other in real life, as seen in the behind-the-scenes interview of Team CCM Film Productions.</p><div> </div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bw8w6jgkMGk?si=B1NZaYL5G1TI1EFL" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><p>Since they’ve been considered two of the best <em>kontrabidas</em> of their generation, they were initially quizzed about their secrets to becoming an effective kontrabida.</p><p>“The first thing you need to do is stop caring what people are gonna say. You have to still be brave to do it. At the same time, dapat hindi mo kino-consider ‘yong mga opinyon ng mga tao. You have to be courageous [and] not be afraid of people’s opinions.” Jake remarked.</p><p>Baron agreed to what his colleague-slash-friend had said and went on to express how he admires him for being able to pull off two different kontrabida characters at the same time for two different Kapamilya primetime teleseryes, namely <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo"><strong><u>“FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” </u></strong></a>and <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/what-lies-beneath"><strong><u>“What Lies Beneath.”</u></strong></a></p><p>With how great an actor Jake has always been, Baron commented that it was indeed a great pleasure for him to be working with Jake, especially in the intense scenes of their characters Miguelito and Rockyboy. He recalled how he immediately jumped into his character right away on their first day together on the set, as well as how he had envisioned Rockyboy as someone going through a low point in his life and enduring a deep cut into his soul. Besides, they also go through a process for them to be able to entertain and unleash their <em>kontrabida </em>side.</p><p>Due to his compelling and remarkable performance, Baron related that there are people who tend to suddenly come up to him and say, “What’s up, Rockyboy?” which is something he has credited to Jake since it was he who started it.</p><div> </div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tlu8FpJOgwk" title="Rockyboy is ganged up on and beaten by Miguelito’s men | FPJ&#x27;s Batang Quiapo (with English Subs)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div><p>Regardless of how cruel they are in this series, Jake conveyed that he still finds playing <em>kontrabida </em>roles as the most fun in the world. He enjoys doing every scene and feels honored to be sharing the spotlight with Baron. Afterwards both of them expressed their love for hating each other.</p><p>They were also asked about their morning routine, to which Jake revealed that going for a run and working out right before work are actually “non-negotiables” for him. Before going to the set, he was already on the treadmill, thinking of what Miguelito would do that certain day.</p><p>Baron, on the other hand, meditates, contemplates, and reads the script in order to program his mind not to take seriously the bad things going on in his character’s mind. Thus, in the long time that they’ve been doing <em>kontrabida </em>roles, he shared that it has become very easy for him and Jake to snap out of their characters as both of them are able to come up with their respective techniques.</p><p>Jake further talked about their dynamics off cam both as friends and co-actors. He related, “Minsan talaga ‘pag nakikita mo kaming dalawa ni Rockyboy sa eksena, mukhang magpapatayan na kaming dalawa. But for us now, kasi may maturity na kami as actors, pagkatapos ng eksena, we really hug it out.”</p><p>Then he continued, “If Baron is brilliant in the scene, I really tell him kung gaano siya kagaling and eventually like we walk away after work na masaya kami, satisfied kami sa work, and that’s the most important thing.”</p><p>The two actors were asked afterwards to demonstrate their most annoying or most terrorizing facial expressions as <em>kontrabidas</em>, with Baron eventually breaking into a wacky face and Jake displaying the terrifying stare of his <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/what-lies-beneath"><strong><u>“What Lies Beneath”</u></strong></a> character, Edong.</p><p>With regard to their favorite<em> “mapang-asar”</em> line of their respective characters, Jake shared that it used to be, “What the hell is going on, Jason?” But now it’s more like, “How are you, Rockyboy?,” which has been his favorite. For his part, Baron said that it’s probably,<em> “Sinulot mo siya, Pare,”</em> to which Jake commented that he actually watched that particular scene a hundred times. Baron recounted that he uttered that on their first-ever sequence together for this show and he was absolutely proud of that scene.</p><p>The two actors concluded the short interview by sharing their secrets to staying long not just in a program but in the entertainment industry as a whole. Baron imparted that it’s loving the project you’re in and enjoying every sequence or moment of it, as well as being friends with everyone part of the production. Jake seconded it by uttering that it never feels like work when you’re having fun and reminding everyone aspiring to be part of showbiz to love their co-workers, whether <em>bida </em>or <em>kontrabida</em>, talent or supporting actors, or everyone part of the production—to which Baron commented, “Correct.”</p><p>Find out what is going to happen next in the lives and encounters of Rockyboy and Miguelito by not missing an episode of <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/batangquiapo"><strong><u>“FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,”</u></strong></a> weeknights at 8 PM on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>iWant</u></strong></a>, and Kapamilya Online Live (KOL).</p>

<p>Jake Cuenca and Baron Geisler take us behind the scenes of Miguelito and Rockyboy’s intense skirmish over Allyry in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.”</p>

Jake Cuenca and Baron Geisler take us behind the scenes of Miguelito and Rockyboy’s intense skirmish over Allyry in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.”