“I was born to do this.”
That was Jake Cuenca’s brief answer when asked about his role in Los Bastardos, which is based on the Cardinal Bastards series of Precious Hearts Romances. This much anticipated sexy drama premieres today.
Jake is joined by Diego Loyzaga, Marco Gumabao, Albie Casiño, and Joshua Colet who all play brothers pitted against each other by destiny in their constant battle for power and recognition in their family.
“We feel so privileged to be the faces of the show. It’s a huge honor because apart from acting skills, the series was looking for physically fit men. That’s what the show was looking for and just to be appreciated and being cast in this series, it’s already an accomplishment” Marco said.
While most Precious Hearts Romances series center on female leads, Los Bastardos stands out for having male lead characters and their point of view as the centerpiece of the story. And just like what the trailers for the show have shown the viewers, the series will feature half naked men…like almost all the time.
“It’s not about the women this time. It’s about the guys — what guys have to go through from different walks of life,” Diego stated.
“I’m happy that I was chosen to be one of the bastards, to show my walk of life being a bastard myself. So, I’m happy to be here,” Diego added in response to the question about his character hitting so close to home.
Since the lead cast would be showing off their sculpted physique in many parts of the drama, fans were curious how they feel about being objectified. Newcomer Joshua said he doesn’t have issues with that.
“I can’t speak for them (his co-actors) but for me, that’s okay. I get paid to do this. What’s important is I enjoy what I’m doing.”
The sexy drama airs today on ABS-CBN's primetime block.
“We work hard for our body, we diet, we go to the gym everyday, so what’s the use of our hard work if we’re not going to show off what we’ve been working hard for?” Marco added.
The latest book in the Precious Hearts Romances Presents tells the story of five brothers who must fight against each other for the right to the power and money of the Cardinal family, led by its patriarch, Don Roman Cardinal, played by senior actor Ronaldo Valdez.
Don Roman will lead a happy life with his small family until tragedy strikes which will lead him to look for true love from four other women. He will sire five sons from five different women. There is Isagani (Jake), Don Roman’s long-lost son with his first love; Joaquin (Diego), the only son who’ll grow up under his care; Matteo (Marco), who will grow up with the rival family of the Cardinals; Connor, who will become a conman bent on destroying the Cardinal wealth; and Lucas (Albie), whill will grow up not knowing the man he serves is his own father.
In their intertwined lives, they start learning the truth behind their real identities revealing the different worlds they grew up in and how they are bound together by the same blood.
Set to make their hearts beat are Marijoy Apostol, Mica Javier, Jane Oineza, Maxine Medina, Ritz Azul, and Kylie Verzosa.
Also joining the cast are Perla Bautista, Ana Santos, Joyce Ann Burton, Pinky Amador, Jeffrey Santos, Isabel Rivas, Lito Pimentel, Rosanna Roces and Bert Reyes.
Los Bastardos premieres today, Oct. 15, on ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Gold after Kadenang Ginto.