JAY ORTEGA
He’s So Bad He’s So Good
When most new male artists are jostling their way to the front, Jay Ortega prefers to stay in the background where he can work silently, humbly, and diligently, because he knows there’s a right time for his turn in the spotlight.
Text by Jansen Ramos | Photos by Michael Paunlagui | Final artist: Alvin Lacabra
Newbie actor Jay Ortega seems to have hit the jackpot when he landed a role in a big TV project on his first attempt. In the GMA family drama Pulang Araw (2024), he was cast as Akio Watanabe, a Japanese immigrant living in the Philippines who becomes a spy for the Japanese imperial army during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in the 1940s.
Jay managed to win over the viewers despite the usual negative reception that the TV viewers, especially fanatics, would have of kontrabida characters. Aside from his acting chops, Jay could speak Japanese fluently — a talent that helped him remember and deliver his lines more convincingly. Jay was so good at being so bad that with each episode, viewers found themselves drawn to him more and more.
Habambuhay kong maaala ‘tong Pulang Araw. I’m forever grateful for it dahil na-cast ako sa ganitong ka-relevant at kagandang istorya ng GMA.
Jay Ortega on why 'Pulang Araw' is close to his heart
Because of Jay’s impressive performance, one would most likely assume that he has played many roles in the past. In reality, playing Akio was actually Jay’s first acting assignment onscreen.
“Before ako nag-start sa showbiz, I was a runway model. Nag-audition lang ako sa Pulang Araw sa GMA bago ko nakuha ‘yung role ni Akio,” the 23-year-old showbiz newcomer shares with GMANetwork.com.
Jay himself was surprised that Akio was pivotal in the series despite being a supporting character during the early episodes.
“Actually, nagulat ako. ‘Kala ko ’di gano’n kalalim ‘yung character na gagampanan ko kasi, as a first-timer, ‘di ko rin in-expect na gano’n kahaba ‘yung itatagal ni Akio, ‘di ba? Pero happy naman ako and grateful na pinagdaanan ko lahat ‘yon. What an experience. Marami ‘rin ako natutunan, sa mga co-actors ko rin.”
Magagaling umarte ‘yon e. ’Pag may scenes kami, siyempre, ’di mawawala ’yung kaba mo kasi, as first-timer, kabado rin ako e kapag kaharap ko sila sa eksena... Lalakasan ko na lang ‘yung loob ko para makipagsabayan sa kanila, di ba?
Jay Ortega on working with Dennis Trillo and David Licauco
Jay didn’t think his first TV role could gain so much attention. He didn’t even expect that people would take notice of him, especially when there were much bigger stars than he was on screen.
“’Di ko in-expect na magugustuhan s’ya o pag-uusapan s’ya ng tao so walang expectations at all no’ng una, siyempre. Pero habang ginagawa ko ‘yung Pulang Araw, binibigay ko lang ’yung best ko.”
Being in the same scene with Kapuso Drama King and 50th Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actor Dennis Trillo and Pambansang Ginoo David Licauco also caused him to bust a gut just to keep up with his esteemed co-actors as a newcomer.
He relates, “Magagaling umarte ‘yon e. ’Pag may scenes kami, siyempre, ’di mawawala ’yung kaba mo kasi, as first-timer, kabado rin ako e kapag kaharap ko sila sa eksena. So kapag may scenes kami, nilalakasan ko lang ’yung loob ko tapos memorize ng script siyempre, ’yung acting. Lalakasan ko na lang ‘yung loob ko para makipagsabayan sa kanila, di ba?”
Some netizens have labeled him as a “sinaunang red flag” because of his Pulang Araw gruesome character. But despite this, some people can't help but find him attractive.
Feeling flattered, he says, “Oo nga e, nagulat ako do’n. Masaya ‘ko kasi na-recognize nila ‘yung character ni Akio. ‘Yung sa reality, hindi naman ako red flag.” Fixing the collar of his jacket, Jay then quickly adds, “Pero ‘di natin sure.”
Due to the success of his first kontrabida role, is he not afraid of being typecast as villain in his next projects?
He shrugs it off, “Wala naman tayong control d’yan kung anong mangyayari. Feeling ko, I gotta do what I gotta do. Okay lang naman. Wala naman akong pakialam sa sasabihin ng tao, ‘di naman s’ya nagma-matter.”
Growing up Bibo
Jay describes himself as “bibo” when he was a child. He loved performing in front of his family, hence entering showbiz wasn’t far from his grand plans.
“No’ng bata ako, mahilig na ‘ko manood ng films e,” he recounts. Grinning, he goes on, “Mahilig din ako kumanta kahit ‘di ako magaling. Pa-bibo rin kasi ako no’ng bata ako e. Mahilig din ako sumayaw.”
Jay was raised by his grandparents as his mother worked as an OFW in Japan. He has three younger siblings who lived with their mom overseas.
Actually, nagulat ako. ‘Kala ko ’di gano’n kalalim ‘yung character na gagampanan ko kasi, as a first-timer, ‘di ko rin in-expect na gano’n kahaba ‘yung itatagal ni Akio, ‘di ba?
Jay Ortega on his role as Akio in 'Pulang Araw'
“Sa lolo’t lola kasi ako lumaki so magkahiwalay kami ng mga kapatid ko pero okay naman kami. Malaki ‘yung age gap namin kasi almost 13 na ‘ko no’ng pinanganak ‘yung sister ko. Tapos ‘yung sumunod do’n is magte-three years old tapos ‘yung isa, mag-one year old this year.”
In case you’re wondering why Jay is so comfortable speaking in Japanese, here’s the reason: “Nag-aral ako sa Japan kaya marunong ako mag-Japanese. No’ng high school ako, sa Japan ako naka-base so umuwi lang ako sa Pilipinas after high school. Right after high school, bumalik ako dito for college then do’n ako nag-start mag-modeling no’ng nandito na ‘ko sa Pilipinas pagbalik ko. So ine-enjoy ko naman then the rest is history.”
A work in progress
Jay indeed got off to a good start after marking a promising debut in show business. And because of the positive reception he got from the viewers despite being a newbie in the industry, he has two TV projects coming up. He also scored a contract with Sparkle. He says, “Masaya, very grateful ako for Pulang Araw, siyempre, star-studded ‘yung cast ng Pulang Araw. Habambuhay kong maaala ‘tong Pulang Araw. I’m forever grateful for it dahil na-cast ako sa ganitong ka-relevant at kagandang istorya ng GMA.”
This year, Jay will star in the upcoming GMA and Viu murder mystery drama, Slay, which will be top-billed by Julie Anne San Jose, Garcia, Ysabel Ortega, Mikee Quintos, and Derrick Monasterio. In this series, Jay plays a bartender who will fall in love with a woman. “Ibang character naman, malayo sa huli kong character so exciting and, at the same time, challenging for me.” He quickly adds, imparting optimism, “Pero gawin natin.”
Nag-aral ako sa Japan kaya marunong ako mag-Japanese. No’ng high school ako, sa Japan ako naka-base so umuwi lang ako sa Pilipinas after high school. Right after high school, bumalik ako dito for college then do’n ako nag-start mag-modeling no’ng nandito na ‘ko sa Pilipinas pagbalik ko. So ine-enjoy ko naman then the rest is history.
Jay Ortega on why he's comfortable speaking the Japanese language
But his biggest break is yet to come. Jay is set to be part of the GMA’s biggest TV offering, the fantasy series Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre.
It was the Encantadia writer Suzette Doctolero herself who placed interest in Jay to appear in the highly-anticipated fantasy series, all thanks to Jay's performance in Pulang Araw, which interestingly was also written by the seasoned screenwriter.
Jay’s reaction? Utter bliss. “Nagulat ako, actually, na dinisclose n’ya sa X (formerly Twitter) na part nga ako ng Sang’gre. Ayon, masaya ako at nagpasalamat ako kay Miss Suzette dahil magiging part ulit ako ng istoryang sinulat niya,” he shares.
Ako kasi parang gusto ko i-try lahat. Wala naman akong particular na gustong gawin pero ngayon gusto ko i-try kung ano ‘yung ibibigay ni Lord, tatanggapin ko ‘yan.
Jay Ortega on why he wants to try many different genres
Asked about what other projects he wants to take on, Jay says he is still testing the waters until he finds his niche. “Ako kasi parang gusto ko i-try lahat. Wala naman akong particular na gustong gawin pero ngayon gusto ko i-try kung ano ‘yung ibibigay ni Lord, tatanggapin ko ‘yan.”
While Jay has still much to discover, he trusts that fate will lead him where he's supposed to be.
“May mga gusto akong ma-achieve in a certain time pero ako kasi mas naniniwala ako na kung kailan niya ibibigay, do’n niya ibibigay sa ‘yo. Naniniwala ako sa in God’s perfect time talaga lahat.”
Ultimately, luck favors those who hustle.
Shoot producer: Gabby Reyes Libarios | Grooming: Erlie Bentayao | Styling: Regie Cruz
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Jay Ortega: He's So Bad, He's So Good
Published :March 07, 2025 12:45 PM PHTWhen most new male artists are jostling their way to the front, Jay Ortega prefers to stay in the background where he can work silently, humbly, and diligently, because he knows there's a right time for his turn in the spotlight.
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