A lot of people probably witnessed how Jak Roberto built his name in the industry: starting from being a nobody to becoming the unstoppable and unshakeable actor he is today.

‍The Kapuso hunk is now getting bigger roles and his heart is full of excitement for more. Jak is all smiles as he talks about the many good things going on in his career in an exclusive interview with GMANetwork.com, “Going strong, maganda ‘yung nabibigay na role sa akin… Sobrang nae-explore ko ‘yung characters na binibigay sa akin… Before, parang typical leading man na third wheel, pa-pogi, pa-cute lang, ngayon may character na at mayroon nang mabibigat na eksena. Sobrang na-enjoy ko ‘yun,” he added.

Jan Rommel Osuna Roberto, better known as Jak Roberto, was born on December 2, 1993, in Nagcarlan, Laguna. He is the son of Ramil Roberto and Marlyn Osuna, and the brother of Shaira Lenn Osuna Roberto, popularly known as Sanya Lopez.

Not everyone knows that Jak finished Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management and that becoming an actor was the last thing he dreamed of doing. It was curiosity and necessity that compelled Jak to try his luck in commercials. He went to different go-sees and auditions, trying to gauge how far he could go in the industry. Eventually, when he became more comfortable in front of the camera, he moved on to hosting and acting. In 2011, the public had a first glimpse of the good-looking fellow as one of the co-hosts and performers in the late night show Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman.

In a previous interview, Jak talked about his entry into showbiz, “Nagsimula po ako sa Walang Tulugan kay Kuya Germs [German Moreno]. Luckily, nag-sign up po ako with GMA Artist Center [in October 2013], na co-manage po kami tapos nabigyan na po kami ng chance sa mga soaps ng GMA. Try lang po ako kasi gusto ko lang po talaga mag-commercial lang.”

After only a year in Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman, Jak had his big screen debut in Potpot, the 2012 indie movie directed by Ray An Dulay. Jak took on the project because it carried a good message about the dangers of bullying.

He later accepted various acting roles in different programs of TV giant GMANetwork. In 2014, he portrayed the character of Ambo in the television drama romance afternoon series The Half Sisters, which was top-billed by Barbie Forteza and Thea Tolentino. A year later, he joined the all-male singing group 3logy with Jeric Gonzales and Abel Estanislao. The group was able to release a self-titled album under GMA Records. One of their songs was “Pwede Ba?” which was composed by Jak’s fellow Sparkle artist Mikoy Morales.

In 2016, Jak was cast for a role in Louie Ignacio’s 2016 film, Laut, which again, was bannered by Barbie Forteza. His regular appearances in such movies and teleseryes proved one thing: Jak has the talent and the makings of a bankable actor, not only as a support, but a reliable lead.

In 2017, Jak Roberto finally earned his big break through GMA’s drama comedy romance series, Meant To Be. In this feel-good series, which also had Ken Chan, Addy Raj, Ivan Dorschner in its cast, Jak played the character of Andres “Andoy” Dela Cruz, a certified dog lover, Pinoy promdi, and ‘torpe’ guy,  who was secretly in love with Billie Bendiola, the character portrayed by Barbie Forteza. In 2018, Jak landed a meaty role in the high-rating afternoon drama revenge series Contessa, which was then headlined by Glaiza De Castro. In 2019, he became part of GMA’s drama fantasy series, Kara Mia, where he had the chance to work again with Barbie Forteza.

It was also in 2019 Jak Roberto made a bigger splash on TV. He took on the lead role in the March 2019 episode of the drama anthology Magpakailanman, which featured the life story of the viral macho dancer named Dante Gulapa. With a name gradually getting bigger, Jak made his way back into primetime TV in 2022, this time, via the the sports drama series Bolera, which had Kylie Padilla as the titular role.

Starring alongside prime stars like Kylie and Rayver Cruz, Jak was extremely thankful to be part of the said GMA show. It was a huge opportunity for him as he portrayed Pepito “Toypits” Canlas, the childhood best friend of Joni, Kylie Padilla’s character in the series.

The Sparkle actor is currently part of the star-studded cast of GMA’s 2023 action suspense drama series, The Missing Husband in which he portrays the character of Joed, a policeman who keeps on helping Millie, the character of award-winning actress Yasmien Kurdi.

Jak is looking forward to getting more action-packed scenes in the ongoing afternoon series, “So far, kapag pulis pala more on investigation eh. Action wise, nabigyan naman ng mga ilan pero like alam mo ‘yun gusto ko talaga every ano mayroong fight scenes… Basta sundalo, pulis, more on investigation sila and operation. Depende siguro sa istorya… Ako gusto ko mas intense, marami pang fight scenes ganon.”

Jak Roberto is happy for all the attention that he has been getting for being fit. A lot of people know that he earned the moniker ‘Pambansang Abs Ng Bayan’ because of his toned physique. The Kapuso hottie once shared the real and interesting story behind his abs: that his abs did not even exist until he got cast for a role in the 2016 film, Laut.

“Talagang pinaghandaan ko. Talagang sabi ko, 'Kailangan mapansin ako dito. Kailangan ready ako and walang masasabi sa'kin 'yung tao.' Na 'pag nakita nila [sasabihin nila] 'Wow, sino 'yan? Ang ganda ng katawan,” Jak explained.

Back in 2018, the Kapuso hunk made it to the list of hotties of the ‘Best Bodies’ issue of MEGA Man magazine. Aside from being one of the hottest Kapuso stars, Jak continues to make a name for himself in the world of show business. In 2017, he was recognized by the Gintong Kabataan Awards for his successful stint in GMA series Meant To Be. In the same year, the actor bagged the “Pinaka-huwarang artista ng mga kabataan” recognition in the Inding-Indie Short Film Festival. Jak was also among the honorees at the 2022 Outstanding Men and Women of the Philippines awards held in Teatrino, Greenhills. In 2023, after many years of hard work and patience, he received the Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role award at the 7th GEMS Awards through GMA series, Bolera.

Apart from his memorable TV roles, Jak is also a successful endorser and content creator with 3.42 million YouTube subscribers, 1.7 million followers on Instagram, and 2.4 million followers on TikTok, as of this writing. On YouTube, Jak is mostly popular for doing pranks,  travel videos, and random challenges. Jak started vlogging back on July 2019, and has been sharing more about his life since then.

Amid his steady stream of big and small wins in his career and personal life, Jak has remained humble.

Showbiz has been fairly kind and generous to Jak Roberto. Aside from the income, it also taught him golden nuggets of wisdom that helped him become a better human being.

“Feeling ko ang nabago sa akin ay personality kasi parang mas naging conscious ako… the way na gumalaw or makipag-usap. Mas naging nice ako sa mga taong nakakausap ko.”

Looking back at the big breaks in his showbiz career, Jak could not help thinking how lucky he has been. “Una ’yung Meant To Be. Nasundan ’yun ng Contessa na action naman. From romance nagkaroon ng action. Tapos Bubble Gang din, comedy. Pati Dear Uge bilang si Berto na laging naka-topless. Of course, ’yung Walang Tulugan, kasi ’yun talaga ’yung nagbigay sa akin ng opportunity at nagbukas ng pintuan sa akin sa showbiz. Sumalangit nawa si Kuya Germs [German Moreno],” he added.

Aware of his achievements as an actor, Jak humbly and wholeheartedly treasured all the lessons he learned in this industry. The actor told GMANetwork.com, “’Yung professionalism, respect, laging dapat nandon. ’Yung commitment mo rin sa trabaho and ’yung passion.”

Jak is well aware of the sweet results every time you put your heart into your job. He explained, “Sabi nga nila mahalin mo lang ’yung trabaho mo at mamahalin ka rin ng trabaho mo. I think ’yun ang dahilan kung bakit continuous ang pagbibigay sa akin ng projects.”

Jak has always remained grateful to the two persons who made the biggest impact on his showbiz career and personal life: his mentor Kuya Germs and his girlfriend Barbie Forteza.  “Kuya Germs [German Moreno], si Kuya Germs talaga. Then, si Madam kasi nung naging kami ni Barbie [Forteza], sobrang… ’yung mga tao sumuporta naman. ’Yung relasyon [namin] na walang humahadlang, na walang against, or hindi binash that time, kumbaga sumuporta.”

If he were to describe himself as an actor, Jak Roberto has this to say, “Si Jak Roberto bilang isang aktor ay willing pa rin matuto at mag-improve sa mga binibigay sa aking trabaho and sa mga bago pang characters.”

Jak believes that given the chance, he can do much more in the entertainment industry. “Mga roles, feeling ko na nakaka-challenge… mga medical dramas. I think ’yung isa pang challenging yung kapag binigyan ako ng role na attorney or judge… ’Yung mga kailangan ma-pull off mo ng talagang makatotohanan. Feeling ko yung may disability, isa pa ’yun. Gay roles nagawa ko naman na sa previous guestings ko... Mga matatalinong characters, ’yan kailangan natin mag-aral siguro.”

Molded by workshops and experiences, Jak wants to give some tips and advice to young and aspiring actors out there. He shared, “Para sa mga aspiring actors, workshop talaga ang pinakamahalagang susi para talaga mag-improve ka sa skills mo. Kasi ako before, ang naging training ground ko talaga is Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman when it comes to hosting, singing, dancing, doon na ako na-mold eh. Pero na-boost ’yun ng Sparkle noong nagkaroon ng mga workshop sa bawat artist like singing, dancing. Mas lalo pang na-hone ‘yung talent namin especially, acting… Hindi siya ganun ka-basic, pero kung mahal mo itong trabahong ito and willing ka talagang matuto at i-pursue itong dream mo, kailangan mong mag-undergo sa workshop.”

Jak then took the chance to express how thankful he is to GMA, Sparkle, and to his supporters. “GMA Network and Sparkle, thank you so much for supporting me and loving me. To all my fans and supporters, Thank you so much. JakBie worldwide… sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa akin, love you all guys.”

Shoot Producer: Gabby Reyes Libarios | Art Direction & Layout Design by Kris Nagamos | Styling by Reginald Cruz | Grooming by Julius Renon | Hair by Dale Mallari | Special thanks to Euna Lodripas, Ysabel De Claro, and Eddrick Nucum