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When you think bad guy, Jay R is definitely not the first guy you think of. Jay R hopes to change that perception
When you think bad guy, Jay R is definitely not the first guy you think of. More known for his singing skills than his acting chops, Jay R hopes to change that perception—and he also hopes that his fans would like what they see. Text by Jason John S. Lim. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. "It's kinda cool—it's probably my fifth time now." Over the last few years, Jay R has been seen in Encantadia, Love to Love, Narito ang Puso Ko—even Daisy Siete! And that's not counting the movies he was in. So it's no surprise that this crooner is more comfortable now than before. "It's my fifth time, so medyo na try ko na." But Jay R has no delusions of being a great actor. He himself points out, "you probably know na hindi ako medyo magaling mag-acting. Pero this time, it's coming a little bit easier na." For his latest turn, now as Pato in the romantic-comedy series LaLola, Jay R is having a good time. "Ang sarap talaga—especially with the cast. As always naman, I'm always learning from the cast; they're good actresses and actors. And Direk Dom [Zapata]! He handles also the major shows talaga, so he knows exactly what he's doing. "Nakikita ko lahat e, so lahat input lang talaga sa akin. I'm learning as I go, and it's a very good experience." Jay R's character is the right hand man of Gaston, the character played by Marvin Agustin. "Si Gaston, gustong magplot against Lola. Kasi she's taking all the credibility, so me and Gaston are ploting against her." He adds that they represent everything that's wrong in the corporate ladder. "We're like the babaeros and nagsusugal—mga ganun." So far, Jay R is doing good playing a chauvinistic man. But he says he's still trying to improve. "I really want to project that I really am like that, so if I could get my fans to believe that on TV—that's good!" He's using his fans as a gauge because, according to him, they know everything about him—and they know who he really is. "My fans know me as a singer; they go to my shows all the time, and they see me personally. They know the true Jay R. So pag nasa TV, makikita talaga [kung] trying hard." "Pero they should really look out for improvements," he adds with a laugh. "They should watch out for how much I'm trying hard." Jay R calls LaLola a big project, and he hopes that more people will tune in. "GMA is really putting a lot into it, so they should check out how good the quality is. And the story—it's worldwide talaga. "Patok 'yung LaLola kasi it’s a really good story." He says that Filipinos should be proud fo the show, because it's representing in Asia as the first to release their adaptation of the Argentinian hit. "It's the first time in Asia na magkaroon ng LaLola!" Intrigued as to how much Jay R has improved as an actor? Catch him as Pato in LaLola, every weeknight after Carlo J. Caparas’ Gagambino. And talk about his involvement with the show, with other Kapuso fans at the iGMA Forums! Or find out more about his role from Jay R himself! Just key in JAYR on your mobile phones, and send to 4627. Each Fanatxt message costs PhP2.00. (This service is exclusively for Sun subscribers only.)