Ricardo Cepeda (left) and Marina Benipayo —ALLAN POLICARPIO
They are saying that onerous instances reveal true mates.
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 lately launched after posting bail.
“It’s true. You can see out who your actual mates are and people who simply say they’re your folks … those that simply declare to know you. To be trustworthy, there have been individuals I used to be anticipating to step ahead, speak on my behalf or rise up for me. However no—not a phrase,” he advised 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 difficulty. He identified that his title doesn’t seem on the corporate’s common data sheet filed on the Securities and Alternate Fee.
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“I believed, ‘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 frightened of being related [with me],” Ricardo stated. “However surprisingly, there have been individuals I didn’t anticipate to be there for me.”
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Performing comeback
Was he apprehensive 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 stated he believes that the relationships he constructed within the trade maintain extra weight. “What’s extra vital is that I do know I’ve been good to everybody … nothing unfavourable.”
Actually, Coco Martin has already reached out to Ricardo in regards to the potential return of the latter’s character within the primetime motion sequence “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.” He’s additionally contemplating film provides.
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 stated 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 might a minimum of earn a dwelling.”
The most important factor the 59-year-old actor apprehensive about throughout his imprisonment was his household. He knew he might take care of it. However he couldn’t bear the considered his youngsters being subjected to vitriol, on-line or in actual life.
“My children are grown, however we nonetheless assist them on occasion. There have been quite a lot of unfavourable feedback. I didn’t need them to fall into despair,” stated Ricardo, who has two daughters, Samantha and Sachi, with ex-wife Snooky Serna; and two stepsons, Mark and Joshua, with present associate, Marina Benipayo.
Fortuitously, Marina held the household collectively whereas he was away. “She’s my hero,” Ricardo stated. “She advised 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 certain to make use of them to remain in contact together with his family members. “I drew power from them. It was laborious. However seeing them taking issues in stride and realizing that they weren’t struggling made me really feel loads higher,” he stated.
He initially discouraged Marina from visiting him in Cagayan commonly due to the price and bodily toll of lengthy travels. However wanting again, he’s glad she did. “She would say, ‘No, I’ll go there.’ Every time she was there, I used to be grateful. I didn’t understand how a lot I used to be lacking her,” he stated.
To assist go time and maintain his anxiousness at bay, he busied himself by figuring out and studying books on legislation. “I couldn’t simply keep mad and maintain questioning issues daily. The one factor I might management was my well being and my angle,” he stated.
“My health degree 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 stated. “I additionally examine courtroom procedures to assist educate myself … It made me really feel much less apprehensive as a result of I knew what was occurring.”
‘Watch out’
Requested what recommendation he might give to his fellow celebrities, Ricardo stated to all the time maintain their ears open. “Apart out of your talks with the corporate, take heed to what different individuals round you might be saying.”
“After all, speaking to the corporate, you’ll hear solely about good issues,” he added. “I solely realized in regards to 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 stated, and by all appearances, the corporate in query was steady, its homeowners reliable. “Watch out,” he stated. “As a result of I believed I used to be.”
