Actor-model Jake Cuenca celebrated his 21st birthday earlier today, December 30, at the CRIBS (Create Responsive Infants by Sharing) Foundation, Inc. in Marikina City.
Instituted in 1986 by Doña Consuelo Zobel Alger, CRIBS Foundation, Inc. (formerly known as CRIBS Philippines, Inc.) provides shelter for abandoned babies (0-2 years old) and sexually abused girls (7-17 years old).
Jake's celebration this year was a stark contrast to the party last year with his celebrity friends.
"I didn't really have a lots of plans for my birthday and personally parang, siyempre, I made it a point na gusto ko sana ‘tong birthday ko mas gusto ko mag-share," explained Jake on his decision to do charity work instead of holding a party in some hip establishment.
"Kasi more than for me, siyempre, parang last year I had a party with my friends, ganyan... Gusto ko talaga this year mas ako 'yong magsi-share, ako ‘yong magbibigay. So, para sa ‘kin itong birthday na 'to is really special for me."
Jake's family and a few solid supporters were also on hand to assist the birthday boy in entertaining the CRIBS kids who were all happy to partake in the celebration of their celebrity guest.
The former Palos star is no stranger when it comes to lending his presence to worthwhile endeavors. Jake is an avid supporter of Red Cross Philippines, aside from attending a number of charity events, which is part of his duties as a celebrity. It was Jake's first time though to organize a charity event from scratch to finish.
He explained: "This one, mas personal. Kasi kami ang nag-ayos ng food, kami ang nag-ayos nung ibang bagay. Unlike sa Red Cross, siyempre, I'm just invited. I'm invited to support them or the other charities that I do. They invite me to go there. This one talaga, parang, mas nagkusa ako and I volunteered to do this today, ‘yon ang pinagkaiba nito."
A MORE RESPONSIBLE JAKE. Now that he is 21, Jake repeatedly said he is determined to live up to his age, which also explains why he chose to spend his special day with underprivileged children.
"Gusto ko i-exercise ‘yong pagiging adult ko, and for me, I think the perfect way to do so is on my birthday, and the perfect way of being an adult is taking care of kids, making kids happy."
What's his birthday wish?
"Ang wish ko para sa sarili ko, sana tuluy-tuloy lang ang blessings," he smiled. "Kasi I honestly feel I'm very blessed in so many ways, kaya sana tuluy-tuloy lang. Basta ako, I'll just continue to give 110 percent with everything I do, whether it be with work, whether it be with the kids, whether it be with my family."
Romance, according to Jake, would have to take a backseat to give way to other things—quite a surprising statement for one whose lovelife has been a tabloid staple in the past.
"Talagang committed na committed muna sa trabaho ko, and the lovelife siguro can wait," said Jake. He paused a bit before adding, apparently changing his mind, "Pero, siyempre, pag nagmahal ka naman hindi mo naman mapipilgilan ‘yan."
The birthday boy only has kind words to all the women he once loved. "Yong mga minahal ko dati talaga, I'm lucky to have met all the girls I've been with in the past. Marami akong natutunan sa kanila. I mean more than anything, feeling ko siyempre, ako din ang may pagkukulang. So, that's why I'm doing my best to exercise being an adult and at the same time I want to mature.
"I mean, di ko pinipilit and nagpapasalamat ako sa mga pinagdaanan ko dahil kung hindi sa mga pinagdaanan ko, hindi ko din matututunan ‘yong mga natutunan ko."