Push Admin

Louise Abuel shares experience playing young Jake Cuenca as he looks back on past TV shows 

Article (news)

Liezel dela Cruz

At the age of seven, Louise Abuel starred in his first teleserye. Since then, he has become a showbiz mainstay playing a variety of roles from kiddie sidekicks to young versions of other actors, and a lead star even. Currently, he’s seen as Nico in the trending drama <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/viralscandal">Viral Scandal</a>. Join Louise on a trip down memory lane as he reacts to his past TV shows in this edition of Kapamilya React<div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wuL4MVYLNO0" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe></div>Louise started out as a kiddie commercial model before starring in <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/100daystoheaven">100 Days To Heaven</a> at the age of 7. In the series, he showed strong potential opposite child wonder Xyriel Manabat despite the big adjustments shifting from commercial to drama series.<div><img alt="Child Star Louise Abuel" src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/viralscandal/2022/02/10/louise-abuel-1.jpg"/></div>He said TV ads were easier to pull off because it felt like playtime to him. Teleseryes, on the other hand, have more weight. “Nangangapa pa ako sa mga nangyayari. Nung panahon na ‘yan, akala ko lahat ng bagay laro lang tapos kailangan ko lang magsalita.”Still learning how to read fast, his father guided him in studying the script. He would repeat what his dad just read. Adding up to the pressure was Xyriel’s credibility as a child actress. Louise thought his ‘partner’ has more experience and skills than him.He had acting lessons with veteran actor Pen Medina at the time. And all the things he learned from Pen, he still carries to this day. “Straight to the point siya. Kung ano ‘yung kailangan mong malaman, isasaksak niya talaga sa’yo. Sasabihin niya direkta, halimbawa, huwag kang magsi-sing-song. Lahat ng knowledge niya na kaya niyang ibigay sa maliit na bata na ‘yun, binigay na niya so hanggang pagtanda ko ngayon, nagamit ko pa rin siya,” he said of Pen as an acting coach.The next one was from <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/01100517-throwback-juan-dela-cruz-2012-13295">Juan Dela Cruz</a> where Louise played Pikoy, the sidekick of Coco’s titular character. Taking it from his name, which is a kind of a parrot, Pikoy is supposed to be talkative and charming – exactly how Louise sketched the character.<div><img alt="Child Star Louise Abuel" src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/viralscandal/2022/02/10/louise-abuel-2.jpg"/></div>The third scene was from <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/throwback-the-stars-ikaw-lamang-2014-14411">Ikaw Lamang</a> where he played young Franco, later on portrayed by Jake Cuenca. As early as then, Louise already learned that kontrabida roles are difficult to master. “Ang hirap maging kontrabida. Doon ko na-realize na isa sa pinakamahirap ang maging kontrabida kasi ang daming emotions. Ang kontrabida, hindi sila pinanganak na galit agad. May pinanggagalingan kung bakit sila galit.”<div><img alt="Child Star Louise Abuel" src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/viralscandal/2022/02/10/louise-abuel-3.jpg"/></div>It was pretty much a team effort between him and Jake since they both have to keep the character consistent. “Kapag young version ka, kailangan mong aralin ang character mo bata ka pa lang. Kasi ‘yung adult characters, halimbawa dito si Kuya Jake, kailangan niyang pag-aralan ‘yung character na sinet ko, so pressure sa akin bilang bata.”He’s become a huge fan of Jake since, thus the excitement to be reunited with him via <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/viralscandal">Viral Scandal</a>. He said Jake is everyone’s go-to person for sage words of advice about acting. And one of the best tips he got from him is to never judge his character be it a good guy or a villain.“’Yun ang lagi niyang sinasabi. Kasi ang character mo, tingin niya sa sarili niya lagi siyang tama. Kahit ‘pag kontrabida ka, huwag mong iisipin na mali ka,” shared Louise.Louise said viewers can expect Nico Sicat’s transition throughout the series. As the story progresses, his character also builds more depth. So don’t miss an episode of <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/viralscandal">Viral Scandal</a>, weeknights, on <a href="https://kapamilyachannel.com/">Kapamilya Channel</a>, <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-news/kapamilya-channel-livestream-12685">Kapamilya Online Live</a>, and A2Z.

Louise Abuel takes a nostalgic trip to his past TV shows in this episode of Kapamilya React.