Jake Cuenca and Gerald Anderson admit that one of their dreams has come true. Two of the hottest young actors today, Jake and Gerald are playing the roles of soldiers on the highly-praised “Tayong
Dalawa.”

But more than the screaming fans that fanatically follow the series, these two young actors say it’s the positive impact that their show has created on young men aspiring to be soldiers of our country that makes their efforts truly worthwhile.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) recently awarded the show and the two actors with plaques of appreciation for promoting a positive image of soldiers to the country. The defense department also noted that because of the show, the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) posted a 300 percent increase in recruitment!

“It’s a great honor to represent the military, it’s a big responsibility at the same time. To tell you the truth, ang sarap ng pakiramdam,” Jake shares.

“It felt really good na natulungan namin sila sa mga recruits nila,” Gerald adds.

It is not everyday that actors are recognized for things other than for their exceptional acting performance. For Jake and Gerald, thanking the AFP was not enough. So they donated some amount to the AFP Medical Center after winning R2 million in the game show “Deal or No Deal”.

“To all the existing soldiers, I want to say thank you for doing what you do for us. For me it’s about time we did this service to the military, it’s about time we dedicate something to promote them. That’s what they need, they need a boost in their morale with all the hardship that they go through in a day to day basis,” Jake relates.

A CHANGING EXPERIENCE

It’s not all fun and games playing heroes for these two. While taping scenes on the PMA Baguio City campus, Jake and Gerald shared the real experience of a true PMA cadet with the other cadets of the academy - from sporting the 3x4 hairstyle, to actually doing the academy’s difficult training.

At one point in his life, 22-year old Jake toyed with the idea of entering the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA). In fact, he was about to follow his best friend in the police academy four years ago.

“My best friend studies in PNPA, I was about to follow him, to tell you the truth isa talaga sa mga plano ko ‘yan and that was just four years ago,” he reveals.

Through the PMA experience, Jake was able to live his dream and at the same time develop respect for the profession.

“With PMA, napakaswerte ng nakuha namin opportunity ni Gerald to really experience to have an immersion with them. It’s something I will never forget for the rest of my life,” Jake shares.

Twenty-year-old Fil-Am Gerald, on the other hand, has military blood running through his veins. His father is with the US Navy, his grandfather used to be with the US Air Force and an uncle with the US Army.

“It was one-of-a-kind experience talaga, first time nagkaroon ng taping sa PMA. Pakiramdam talaga namin parang mga totoong sundalo kami talaga, we’re just really happy sa outcome ng Tayong Dalawa,” Gerald relates.

SCHOOL PLANS

Apart from show business, what’s also important for these two are their studies. Although they both stopped schooling now and are focusing more on their budding careers, they still have plans of finishing where they left off.

Gerald graduated from high school last year and is still planning for college.

He is still not sure what to take up but he is considering Advertising. “I’m still planning. Of course, lahat naman tayo gusto mag college pero sa schedule kasi,” Jake just has not yet finished high school but he is planning to finish his studies. “I will in the future but I’m not pressuring myself. It’s hard to juggle two things at once, right now I’d like to believe in doing very well on my career, I’m focusing on this right now. At the same time I’m getting props with what I do so I’m happy.”

They both agree that in whatever career one chooses, whether be it an actor or a soldier or anything in between, one should not hesitate to pursue that dream, more importantly finish what one has started.

“Whatever you want to do. Do it. If you think you can serve your country right, if you think you can make a difference in this world then go do it. By all means, we need more people to defend our country,” Jake shares.

“I praise them for their dream and their courage. It’s very good to be a soldier. The respect and the honor, lalo na pag galing ka sa PMA,” Gerald ends.