Kapamilya heartthrobs Jake Cuenca and Gerald Anderson’s reunion is a dream come true, coming off four years after fans saw them together in a series. What made the get-together more special is they’re able to help raise funds for Typhoon Odette survivors by taking on the hot seat and engaging in exciting challenges on “Truth or Dare.”

As in the previous episodes of ABS-CBN’s interactive benefit show, the featured artists would take on truth-or-dare questions with every ‘milestone’ or target amount of donations on the livestreaming app, Kumu.

 

 

The Kapamilya hotties first worked together in “Sana Maulit Muli” which marked KimErald’s first teleserye after their Pinoy Big Brother wins. Then, “Tayong Dalawa” came in 2008. Ten years later, they reunited via daytime soap “Ikaw Lamang.” Through the years, they treated each other like real brothers.

Jake and Gerald were in the mood to reminisce that night. First up, their favorite memories on the set of “Tayong Dalawa,” the Kapamilya military drama where they played uniformed men and twins in love with the same woman (Kim Chiu). It’s where Jake delivered the now iconic dialogue “Bok, walang talo-talo.” With that, they’re asked if they’ve ever used that line in real life. Well they haven’t and hope they never arrive at that scenario. But the line turned into a running joke between them.

They also had a pleasant time talking about their experiences training at the Philippine Military Academy for the series. “Best of the best ‘yung nando’n tapos bigla na lang ipapatapon kami ni Jake sa sitwasyon na ‘yun, hindi ako makatulog talaga,” Gerald looked back.

It’s been a decade but the funniest bloopers remained vivid in their minds. There was a scene wherein they’re supposed to grieve over their father’s dead body at the morgue. The actor playing their dad, Miguel Fraustann, fell asleep and started snoring. Gerald failed to control his laughter, so he was scolded by Director Ruel Bayani.

 

 

Gerald narrated, “Patay na dapat ‘yung tatay namin ‘di ba? Pero humihilik siya. Matatawa ka talaga. Medyo crucial na eksena, tumawa ako. Galit na galit sa akin si Direk Ruel. 

There are terrifying experiences, too, like what happened at the Metropolitan Theater wherein they suddenly heard mysterious voices talking and humming in the middle of their taping. Their co-star Coco Martin also had an accident while shooting a gunfight scene due to a firearm malfunction. Gerald and Jake said they were surprised when Coco dropped to the floor as it wasn’t part of the script. The staff immediately went to Coco’s rescue and rushed him to the hospital.

Of course, they would also have a little fun after work. Jake remembered Gerald’s “initiation” – their first ‘gimik’ wherein they asked him to ask for a girl’s number in a bar.

The two became really close after working on “Tayong Dalawa,” so much that they even thought of buying the same model of car because they felt like they’re twins in real life.  

Gerald and Jake kept the bond strong by joining triathlon competitions. Since the races are usually out of town, sometimes they double as vacation. There were instances wherein Jake and Gerald would go partying after the event but there has to be a more sober one between them. In most cases, it’s Gerald, who revealed, “Binuhat ko si Jake papuntang airport.”

Theirs is the kind of friendship that doesn’t need constant communication or assurance. They can easily pick up from where they left off. And although they don’t usually exchange text messages, nothing has changed in their brotherhood. “Nandito ka sa puso ko,” Jake promised Gerald.

At some point, the hunk actors turned cheesy talking about how much they value their friendship.  Gerald said of Jake, “Ang sarap din makita ‘yung growth niya as a man, as an actor, in a great relationship. Ang sarap kasi halos sabay din ‘yung mga ups and downs namin. Andun ako sa pinaka-down niya. Nandun din siya sa pinaka-down ko. Hindi kami araw-araw nagte-text pero we always pray and hope for the best para sa isa’t isa.”

They couldn’t help but look back on their humble beginnings. On the set of “Sana Maulit Muli,” Gerald was then a fresh PBB graduate and Jake just transferred to ABS-CBN, they would dream together. They’d look at their co-stars' expensive cars and tell themselves, “Sana meron din tayo niyan.” From dreaming material things, their conversations nowadays circle around more important matters like the future. “Noong huling pagkikita namin, business na pinag-uusapan namin. Matanda na tayo, tol,” Gerald told Jake.

Jake expressed sweet words about their friendship as well, saying he’s proud of the man that Gerald has become. “Nasubaybayan ko si Gerald magmula nung first time talaga. Ngayon na nakikita ko siya as the man that he is today, nakaka-proud. Through everything, no matter what, si Gerald ang nag-i-inspire sa marami to keep going and to keep moving forward. For a lot of people, including myself, he’s an inspiration.”

Showbiz can trigger competitions, insecurities and all, so they consider themselves lucky to have found a friend that pushes them to be better and is supportive in all ways. They plan on joining more triathlon events once the pandemic ends. On working together for a new series, they said they’re open to the possibility as long as they’re given a fresh and unique storyline since their viewers also deserve something new from them.

Throughout the show, the buddies would share nostalgic and funny anecdotes as they take on the truth-or-dare questions. Like when Gerald was prompted to perform his “Dale Candela” dance hit, he remembered dancing on the ASAP stage as a fresh PBB graduate. He thought he ruined the production number but ABS-CBN boss Deo Endrinal approved of his performance and so he was relieved.

They also demoed how they make ‘lambing’ – Gerald in Bisaya and Jake in Spanish. Asked how a girl can soothe their temper, Gerald said just holding his hand is enough to calm him down.

To give us an honest answer, Jake called in his girlfriend Kylie Verzosa to speak on his behalf.  Kylie shared, “Lambing lang ‘yan, eh. Kailangan mo siyang pakainin, order-an ng food or lutuan. Maging sweet ka lang, hug, okay na siya n’un.”

 

 

Gerald noticed Kylie’s effect on Jake’s growth as a man, describing the beauty queen-turned-actress as his friend’s kryptonite. Jake likewise admitted that he found his match, his “katapat.”

Known for being on-the-go, the besties took on physical dares, for instance, sexy crunches. Jake also re-enacted his signature pose and uttered “Bok, walang talo-talo” in Bisaya.

They showed off their TikTok moves (to the tune of Toxic), ‘pabebe’ faces, and sexiest snaps on their cellphones. For one challenge, they talked to each other as if to kiss and make up. On the “Never Have I Ever” Challenge, they revealed that they tried to get back with an ex-girlfriend before.

 

 

The night wouldn’t be complete without the most requested “Jojowain o Totropahin” Challenge. The hotties answered ‘totropahin’ for all the actresses in list including Gerald’s “Hello, Heart” leading lady Gigi de Lana, Catriona Gray, Jodi Sta Maria, Ivana Alawi, Lovi Poe, Angelica Panganiban, and Chie Filomeno.

Jake said ‘totropahin’ on Charlie Dizon, his onscreen daughter in Viral Scandal, as well as Janella Salvador because she’s the girlfriend of his other co-star Markus Paterson.

 

 

Join Kapamilya heartthrobs on “Truth or Dare” every 8 p.m. on FYE Channel on Kumu, ABS-CBN Entertainment Facebook page and YouTube channel, iWantTFC, and SKYcable Channel 955 HD and Channel 155 SD until January 28.

“Truth or Dare” benefit interactive show series is the second fund-raising activity of ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Foundation’s “Tulong-Tulong sa Pag-ahon: Isang Daan Sa Pagtutulungan” for the benefit of typhoon Odette survivors.

Aside from donating cash, in-kind donations, or virtual gifts through the event platforms, people can also help by purchasing P100 or P400 Tulong Bag donation vouchers on Lazada and Shopee. These donation vouchers provide rice and canned goods to individuals and families that were affected by the typhoon. 

For information and other ways to donate, visit the official pages of ABS-CBN Foundation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or go to https://foundation.abs-cbn.com.