Ricardo Cepeda (left) and Marina Benipayo —ALLAN POLICARPIO
They are saying that tough instances reveal true associates.
These phrases by no means rung more true for Ricardo Cepeda, who spent the final 11 months in jail for alleged syndicated estafa. The actor was not too long ago launched after posting bail.
“It’s true. One can find out who your actual associates are and those that simply say they’re your folks … those that simply declare to know you. To be trustworthy, there have been folks I used to be anticipating to step ahead, speak on my behalf or rise up for me. However no—not a phrase,” he instructed Inquirer Leisure in an interview.
The actor was arrested final October 2023, after being implicated in an alleged funding scheme carried out by a gross sales firm. He was first detained at Camp Karingal, Quezon Metropolis. After two months, he was transferred to Cagayan Provincial Jail in Tuguegarao, as a result of the case was filed at courts in Aparri and Sanchez Mira.
Ricardo maintained his innocence, insisting that he was solely a “model ambassador” for the corporate and had no involvement within the problem. He identified that his title doesn’t seem on the corporate’s normal info sheet filed on the Securities and Alternate Fee.
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“I assumed, ‘They clearly don’t know me that properly as a result of they performed protected and assumed I used to be responsible … maybe they have been fearful of being related [with me],” Ricardo mentioned. “However surprisingly, there have been folks I didn’t count on to be there for me.”
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Performing comeback
Was he anxious about his imprisonment harming his popularity in present biz?
“Probably not, as a result of I play villains anyway,” he quipped. However turning severe, Ricardo mentioned he believes that the relationships he constructed within the business maintain extra weight. “What’s extra vital is that I do know I’ve been good to everybody … nothing detrimental.”
In truth, Coco Martin has already reached out to Ricardo concerning the potential return of the latter’s character within the primetime motion sequence “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.” He’s additionally contemplating film affords.
Ricardo couldn’t be extra pushed for an performing comeback.
“I really feel very motivated. I’m in debt. I’ve to get again within the black,” he mentioned laughing. “I do know that the reality will come out, however what I used to be pissed off about was that I used to be losing time, incurring bills. I wouldn’t have minded going to courtroom if I may at the least earn a dwelling.”
The most important factor the 59-year-old actor anxious about throughout his imprisonment was his household. He knew he may cope with it. However he couldn’t bear the considered his kids being subjected to vitriol, on-line or in actual life.
“My youngsters are grown, however we nonetheless assist them now and again. There have been a whole lot of detrimental feedback. I didn’t need them to fall into despair,” mentioned Ricardo, who has two daughters, Samantha and Sachi, with ex-wife Snooky Serna; and two stepsons, Mark and Joshua, with present companion, Marina Benipayo.
Thankfully, Marina held the household collectively whereas he was away. “She’s my hero,” Ricardo mentioned. “She instructed the children to not despair or give in to unhappiness. She would reassure them: ‘We all know that your father didn’t commit any wrongdoing. He’ll come out, however it’s simply going to take a while.’”
Inmates are allowed to make scheduled video calls, so Ricardo made positive to make use of them to remain in contact along with his family members. “I drew energy from them. It was arduous. However seeing them taking issues in stride and figuring out that they weren’t struggling made me really feel so much higher,” he mentioned.
He initially discouraged Marina from visiting him in Cagayan often due to the associated fee and bodily toll of lengthy travels. However trying again, he’s glad she did. “She would say, ‘No, I’ll go there.’ Each time she was there, I used to be grateful. I didn’t notice how a lot I used to be lacking her,” he mentioned.
To assist go time and preserve his nervousness at bay, he busied himself by figuring out and studying books on regulation. “I couldn’t simply keep mad and preserve questioning issues every single day. The one factor I may management was my well being and my perspective,” he mentioned.
“My health stage dropped and I gained weight. I used to be recognized with hypertension. So I targeted on figuring out, doing pilates. Quickly, I noticed good outcomes,” he mentioned. “I additionally examine courtroom procedures to assist educate myself … It made me really feel much less anxious as a result of I knew what was occurring.”
‘Watch out’
Requested what recommendation he may give to his fellow celebrities, Ricardo mentioned to all the time preserve their ears open. “Apart out of your talks with the corporate, take heed to what different folks round you might be saying.”
“After all, speaking to the corporate, you’ll hear solely about good issues,” he added. “I solely discovered concerning the particulars [of the issue] whereas listening to the complainants.”
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One can by no means be too cautious. Ricardo did his personal analysis, he mentioned, and by all appearances, the corporate in query was steady, its homeowners reliable. “Watch out,” he mentioned. “As a result of I assumed I used to be.”
