Exclusive: Jake Cuenca talks about being happy with Melissa Ricks

They first met on the set of Pedro Penduko when she was fairly still a showbiz newbie after joining Star Circle Quest and he had transferred from another network. Now, they regularly meet as hosts of ASAP ’09 and Jake Cuenca admits he and Melissa Ricks are getting closer than ever. “We weren’t very close back then (Pedro Penduko days) and we’re closer now so I’m really happy about that,” he says.Although they have yet to go out together, Jake has already made sweet gestures by sending food that he personally cooked to Mel’s family’s condo in Greenhills and even sent her a dozen roses during Valentine’s Day. “Siyempre it’s a sign of our friendship and siyempre I’m very happy with our friendship. About the flowers, siyempre it was Valentines day and everyone deserves to be happy on that day, especially a person like Melissa. I won’t deny it, she’s very beautiful and she’s very intelligent. She’s really fun to be with. I just wanted to make her happy that day,” the Tayong Dalawa actor explains.But even though something more than friendship seems to be blossoming between the two, Jake says there will be no formal courtship anytime soon. “We’re both very focused on our careers and I’m not rushing at all. Siyempre this time around, after the past relationships I’ve been in, you know one thing I’ve learned is not to rush things anymore. So I don’t want to rush it all. I’m taking my time, taking it slower and that’s the way I want to do it right now. Right now, I’m good with friendship. Kung liligawan ko siya, it has to be on my own terms, in my own time, and at the same time, siyempre the first thing on my mind is kung gagawin ko yan, siyempre yung sasabihin ng parents niya. I’m 21 years old, I’d like to be more mature about things. Ayoko magmadali. I’m grasping the fact that everything is falling into place,” he shares.The good news is that Mel’s parents seem to be okay with her friendship with the Coverboys member. “I just met her parents once or twice. I haven’t really had a full conversation with them. So right now talaga, it’s more of just friendship,” he adds.A visibly happy Jake also shares what he likes most about the pretty mestiza. “I like her realism, her being very positive. Nakaka-in love. Sobrang nakakagaan siya talaga. ‘Pag nakikita ko siyang nakangiti, siyempre masaya na rin ako and ang sarap ng feeling to see her smile.”