DEC.

9, 2014

NR # 3675

House to honor actor Jake Cuenca

The House of Representatives is set to honor actor Jake Cuenca who recently won in the
2014 International Film Festival Manhattan in New York.
House Resolution 1681 authored by Rep. Eric L. Olivarez (1st District, Paraaque
City) commended Cuenca, whose real name is Juan Carlos Leveriza Cuenca, for winning the best
actor award for the movie Mulat or Awaken on October 23, 2014 at the Philippine Center
Kalayaan Hall in New York.
The Manhattan Film Festival (MFF) is an annual film festival that was founded in 2006 by
filmmakers PhilipNelson and Jose Ruiz, Jr. and is currently operated by Nelson and a team of
filmmakers, journalists and exhibitors.
Olivarez said it was originally founded as the Independent Features Film Festival. MFF is
an annual event held at such venues as Symphony Space, Quad Cinema, the Academy Theater at
Lighthouse in addition to smaller venues like the Producers Club and the Hunter College Lang
Auditorium, where the festival holds its closing awards ceremony.
Olivarez said the goal of the Manhattan Film Festival has always been to help independent
filmmakers find an audience for their work and connect with like-minded individuals in the indie
film community.
Every year, the festival works to program a diverse film lineup ranging from student
filmmakers and first time directors/actors to the industry's most accomplished talent, Olivarez
said.
Olivarez said Cuenca continues to improve himself by attending a special acting workshop
in New York.
In the film, Cuenca falls for a mysterious woman (Loren Burgos) with a strange mental
affliction. His character clashes with Ryan Eigenmann, who portrays the other strong male
character in the story.
Jake Cuenca started his career in the entertainment industry at the age of nine making
several television and print commercials and endorsing brands for certain known companies,
Olivarez said.
Olivarez said Cuenca signed up for Team Socceroo F.C. on October 2011, which at that
time played as a guest club in the 2011-2012 United Football Cup, and later entered in the United
Football League Division 2.
It is fitting to say that a congressional commendation and congratulations be extended
to Cuenca as our humble and sincere acknowledgement for bringing pride and honor to our
country, Olivarez said. (30) lvc