The November 11 episode of “BRGY” introduces us once again to the talented actor and certified Kapamilya leading man Jameson Blake, who also stars in the Kapamilya suspense-thriller, “What Lies Beneath.”
Before his continuous acting streak, Jameson was part of “Hashtags,” an all-male dance group that joined the “It’s Showtime” cast in 2015. Reflecting on his time there, the first part of the interview invites him to create a special hashtag to describe the moments in his life before becoming an actor.
For his time as a “PBB: 737” housemate in 2015—dubbed the “Responsible Son ng Pampanga”—Jameson identified this chapter as “#DISCOVERY.” He explained that it was during this period that, from being an introverted individual, he uncovered talents that fit well within the entertainment industry.
“Honestly, I did enjoy, but it was challenging,” he expressed. The Kapamilya actor added that his experience as a housemate helped him gain a head start in entering the spotlight—especially in becoming comfortable in front of the camera, meeting new people, and immersing himself in an environment he wasn’t accustomed to.
On the topic of “It’s Showtime,” where he was a member of the Hashtags, he chose “#JOURNEY.” During that time, Jameson went through real baby steps—especially after his second performance on the show, when he was told he would be removed if he didn’t improve. Despite the pressure, he shared a genuine brotherhood with his co-members, a bond that remains strong to this day.
During the early days of the Hashtags, Jameson didn’t dwell much on the challenges of adjusting. As he put it, “’Pag nasa stage ako, nawawala na siya [the shyness or nervousness]. I become more confident and more engaging.”
Proving his genuine personality, he described his era of embracing daring and more mature roles as “#LEVELUP,” emphasizing that as an actor, it’s inevitable to step out of one’s comfort zone to take on different characters.
With his openness to challenging roles, even early in his career, he won Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Maximilian “Maxim” Snyder in the Cinema One Originals film “2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten.”
Now ten years into the entertainment industry and as a Kapamilya, Jameson looks back on his roots as host Bianca instructs him to take a bite of the presented ube if a chapter of his life is a sweet memory, or ampalaya if it is a bitter one. The ube is especially meaningful for him, as it reminds him of his late stepfather, with whom he grew very close.
First on the list of memories is his life in Hong Kong, which he labelled a bitter one. “It was a good childhood, but it was pretty tough. I just hoped it didn’t have to go that way between my parents,” he shared, hinting at their separation. Still, the actor is grateful that there is no bad blood between them.
Turning sweet was the time when he moved to the Philippines, where he began appreciating the simple joys of life even while his family was struggling.
It was also in the Philippines where his mother reconnected with her childhood sweetheart, who later became his stepfather. “When I saw my mom’s smile with him, that’s enough for me. In Hong Kong, I didn’t really see it that much,” he conveyed.
When asked about his era as the family provider after his stepfather’s passing, he took it positively by choosing the ube. Undeniably a challenge, he embraces it wholeheartedly, cherishing the good feeling that comes from expressing gratitude to the people who have supported him.
Focusing on his scene-stealing and compelling role in “What Lies Beneath” as the controlling and abusive husband Anton Montenegro, opposite Mel Montenegro (played by Sue Ramirez), he explained how the role challenged him, requiring him to explore extreme emotions and nuances. Most of the time, he feels that the character s completely separate from him, and he relies on the script to find meaning in the portrayal.
“Along the way, it got easier, and at the same time, it became more fun,” he said.
Jameson also highlighted his co-actors, particularly the main cast—Sue Ramirez, Kaila Estrada, Charlie Dizon, and Janella Salvador—with whom he had worked before. With Sue, whom he previously starred alongside in Jun Lana’s film “Ang Babaeng Allergic Sa Wifi,” he felt more concerned due to their characters’ dynamics. “I kinda feel bad for her. She gets bruises easily. So sorry, Sue,” he expressed.
He also didn’t forget to mention JM de Guzman and Jake Cuenca, noting that Jake was always willing to share advice to help with his role. “I didn’t really ask him a lot, but he helps me in general,” he explained.
Wrapping up the interview, Jameson answered the question of the day, which asked how one handles situations that break them—whether to show it or keep it inside.
With a smile, he said he prefers to keep his emotions inside but remains open to expressing them when necessary. “If you know that you can handle it well, there’s no point in showing it unless you’re seeking help; then voice it out,” he advised.
See more of Jameson Blake’s kontrabida side in “What Lies Beneath,” weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, TV5, and iWant.