JAK ROBERTO: 'Zero ang lovelife ko'

A musician himself and exuding with boyish good-looks, Kapuso actor Jak Roberto is perfect to play the role of “Lucas,” part of the “metro gwapo” trio and one of Aston’s sidekick in With A Smile.

Jak describes his character, Lucas, as “tahimik pero matinik sa chicks.” He says he can relate to being the quiet type as not many people know that he can often be found with his nose buried under a book. “Favorite ko yung Tuesdays with Morrie – madaming lessons na magagamit mo sa real life,” he says.

As for the “matinik sa chicks” part of Lucas’ character, Jak says it’s a far cry from who he really is. “In real life, naku zero lovelife nga ako eh! Kaya hindi ako matinik sa chicks. Saka gusto ko magaan lahat kaya ayoko ng emo-emo-han,” Jak confesses.

Loveless for three years now, Jak says he cannot work and commit to a relationship at the same time. “Pagka kasi nag-girlfriend ka mahahati yung time mo eh. So kawawa naman yung girl pag ganon. Parang mas maganda pa na hindi ka nag-girlfriend kaysa maging kawawa yung partner mo.”

He chooses to focus on his career now and is very thankful to have landed a role in With A Smile. “Actually ‘yung mapasok pa lang talagang napakasarap na sa puso kasi ‘yung production namin napaka-gaan lang. Mabait yung director, mabait yung EP, PM. Lahat kami sa set para kaming pamilya lang.”

The young actor couples his gratitude with a sense of dedication for his craft. “I want to be on top. This is my passion ever since, bago pa ko pumasok sa showbiz. ‘Di ko na na-imagine yung sarili ko sa iba, na iba yung ginagawa. Sabi nga sa’kin dati, kung hindi ka artista ngayon, anong pinagkakaabalahan mo? Siguro kako nag-i-strive pa rin ako para mapasok yung show business up until now. I love to act talaga. Na-e-enjoy ko talaga. May something sa’kin na dead na dead talaga ako sa work na to,” Jak says.

While Jak started out as a host in Walang Tulugan and can also sing and dance, what he really longs for is a serious acting role, leaning towards the drama genre. The passion is evident as Jak says, “Parang iba 'yung feeling pag nabigyan mo ng justice 'yung character na hinihingi sayo. Yun ang challenge ko sa sarili ko.”

With his talent and drive, we can be sure that Lucas will not be the last role that Jak will play. Catch him on With A Smile every Mondays to Fridays and on Walang Tulugan every Saturday night. – Text by CJ Mendoza