Romano "Jake" Macapagal[1] (born 1965/1966)[2] is a Filipino actor known for his roles in the films Aswang (2011),[3] Metro Manila (2013),[4][5] Kid Kulafu (2015),[3] Watch List (2019),[4] and The Monsters Without (2021),[6] as well as the HBO Asia television series Halfworlds (2015–)[3][7] and the Paramount+ television series No Escape.[6]

Jake Macapagal
Born
Romano Macapagal

1965 or 1966 (age 58–59)
NationalityFilipino
OccupationActor
Years active1993–present
Known forNo Escape (TV_series)

Early life

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Macapagal was born in Manila, Philippines.

At age 16, he booked his first professional acting credit in a live stage production of the classic musical Cats at the Metropolitan Theater of Manila, becoming the cast’s youngest member.

Career

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Macapagal credits the 1989 documentary The Heat is On: The Making of ‘Miss Saigon’ as a major career inspiration. The film focused on the making of Miss Saigon, which premiered at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in the West End. In 1994, he auditioned for the musical himself and was cast in the ensemble. [8]

Throughout the 1990s, Macapagal continued to undergo theater-based acting training.

Macapagal's first credited film role was as a “Party Guest” in the 1993 Filipino film Sakay. In the 2000s, he continued his film acting performances in a string of independent Filipino films.

In 2013, Macapagal landed his breakthrough film role as the desperate family man “Oscar” in the British-Filipino co-production Metro Manila, directed by Sean Ellis. Metro Manila was screened at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, receiving critical acclaim worldwide. [9]

Since appearing in Metro Manila, Macapagal guest-appeared in the 2015 HBO series Halfworlds, the 2019 Filipino crime drama Watch List, and the 2021 horror anthology film Rabid.[citation needed]

In 2023, Macapagal began work for a new upcoming Paramount+ thriller streaming series, No Escape. [10]

Macapagal was also responsible for the casting of his friend, Filipina actress Dolly De Leon, in the 2022 satirical black comedy film Triangle of Sadness. [11]

Filmography

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Year Title Role
1993 Sakay Party Guest
2005 Chateau De Roses Monroe
2006 Compound Actor
2006 Pandanggo Healer (segment: “Agogo”)
2007 Foster Child Actor
2007 Doble Vista (short) Javier
2007 Sinungaling Na Buwan Actor
2007 Pi7ong Tagpo Benjo (segment: “Wedding Ring”)
2007 Mona: Singapore Escort Singapore Escort
2007 Orange and Lemons: Ang Katulad Mong Walang Katulad (video) Papa
2007 Sa Pagdapo Ng Mariposa Javier Vergeire
2008 Frou Frou Ssh, Wag Mong Sabihin Kay Itay (short) Bhrando
2011 Aswang Manuel
2012 Shackled PO2 Santiago
2012 The Caregiver Javier Vergeire
2013 Metro Manila Oscar Ramirez
2015 Kid Kulafu Dizon
2016 Showdown in Manila Kalalo
2016 Buhay Habangbuhay Joel
2016 Ave Maria (short) Emilio
2016 Biyahe Joel
2017 Sa gabing nanahimik ang mga kuliglig Actor
2019 Watch List Lt. Ventura
2021 The Monsters Without Rommel Romeo
2021 Rabid Carlo

Television

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Year Title }
2017 Halfworlds (TV, 8 episodes) Kaprey
2023 No Escape (TV, 6 episodes) Colonel Justin Reyes

Theatre

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Year Title Role Production Company
1981 Peter Pan Captain Hook Ateneo Children’s Theater
1982 CATS Rum Tum Tugger U.S. Metropolitan Theater
1988 Once On This Island Daniel Chase International
1989 Joseph The Dreamer Judah Trumpets
1992 Nagraland Ken Mitsubishi Music Production Asian Tour
1993 Les Miserables Feuilly Repertory Philippines
1993 My Fair Lady Ensemble Repertory Philippines
1994 Miss Saigon Germany Original Cast/ American GI Stella Musical GmbH
2001 RENT Angel Singapore Repertory Theatre, Atlantis Productions
2001 Hedwig and the Angry Itch Hedwig Atlantis Productions
2002 Falsettos Marvin New Voice Company
2002 Miss Saigon UK National Tour Viet Cong / US Bar-Owner Cameron Mackintosh Ltd.
2004 Cabaret U.S. Emcee New Voice Company
2005 Aspects of Love Alex Dillingham New Voice Company
2007 West Side Story Bernardo Stages
2009 Victor/Victoria King Marchan Zebra Crossing
2010 A Little Night Music Count Carl-Magnus Atlantis Productions
2011 Next to Normal Dr. Fine/Madden Atlantis Productions

Awards and nominations

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  • 2007 Golden Screen Award – Nominee, Breakthrough Performance by an Actor
  • 2013 British Independent Film Award – Nominee, Most Promising Newcomer
  • 2014 Star Award – Nominee, Movie Actor of the Year
  • 2021 FAMAS Award – Nominee, Best Supporting Actor
  • 2021 Gawad Urian Awards – Nominee, Best Supporting Actor
  • 2021 Pinoy Rebyu Award – Nominee, Best Ensemble Performance

Personal life

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Macapagal is openly LGBTQ.[1] He spoke about his lifestyle and preferred decision to reside in Manila in a recent interview with digital LGBTQ magazine OutThere.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Lorenzana, Paolo (April 28, 2016). "Jake Macapagal". OutThere. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  2. ^ "Jake Macapagal to join HBO Asia series". The Filipino Times. June 22, 2016. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Garceau, Scott R. (January 22, 2017). "The demonic side of Jake Macapagal". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Hamlin, Andrew (May 31, 2019). "Filipino star Jake Macapagal pirouettes into our fair city". Northwest Asian Weekly. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  5. ^ "Dolly De Leon gets BAFTA nomination for 'Triangle of Sadness'". ABS-CBN News. January 19, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Asilo, Rito P. (May 19, 2023). "Living the dream: Jake Macapagal on role in Paramount+ series". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  7. ^ "Half the world away". Drama Quarterly. January 25, 2017. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  8. ^ "The Heat is On: The Making of 'Miss Saigon'". IMDb. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  9. ^ "Metro Manila Sundance Review". The Hollywood Reporter. January 20, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  10. ^ "Metro Manila Sundance Review". The Hollywood Reporter. January 20, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  11. ^ "Dolly De Leon Breaks Out in 'Triangle of Sadness'". Eclipse Magazine. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
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