Ricardo Cepeda (left) and Marina Benipayo —ALLAN POLICARPIO
They are saying that onerous occasions reveal true pals.
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 just lately launched after posting bail.
“It’s true. You’ll find out who your actual pals are and those that simply say they’re your mates … 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 arise for me. However no—not a phrase,” he informed 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 challenge. He identified that his title doesn’t seem on the corporate’s basic info sheet filed on the Securities and Trade Fee.
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“I assumed, ‘They clearly don’t know me that effectively as a result of they performed protected and assumed I used to be responsible … maybe they have been terrified of being related [with me],” Ricardo mentioned. “However surprisingly, there have been individuals I didn’t count on to be there for me.”
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Performing comeback
Was he frightened about his imprisonment harming his repute 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 trade maintain extra weight. “What’s extra necessary is that I do know I’ve been good to everybody … nothing adverse.”
In reality, Coco Martin has already reached out to Ricardo in regards to the potential return of the latter’s character within the primetime motion collection “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.” He’s additionally contemplating film provides.
Ricardo couldn’t be extra pushed for an appearing 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 might no less than earn a residing.”
The largest factor the 59-year-old actor frightened about throughout his imprisonment was his household. He knew he might cope with it. However he couldn’t bear the considered his youngsters being subjected to vitriol, on-line or in actual life.
“My youngsters are grown, however we nonetheless assist them every so often. There have been lots of adverse feedback. I didn’t need them to fall into melancholy,” mentioned Ricardo, who has two daughters, Samantha and Sachi, with ex-wife Snooky Serna; and two stepsons, Mark and Joshua, with present accomplice, Marina Benipayo.
Thankfully, Marina held the household collectively whereas he was away. “She’s my hero,” Ricardo mentioned. “She informed the youngsters to not despair or give in to disappointment. She would reassure them: ‘We all know that your father didn’t commit any wrongdoing. He’ll come out, but it surely’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 together with his family members. “I drew power from them. It was arduous. However seeing them taking issues in stride and realizing that they weren’t struggling made me really feel so much higher,” he mentioned.
He initially discouraged Marina from visiting him in Cagayan recurrently due to the associated fee 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 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 understanding and studying books on legislation. “I couldn’t simply keep mad and preserve questioning issues each day. The one factor I might management was my well being and my angle,” he mentioned.
“My health degree dropped and I gained weight. I used to be recognized with hypertension. So I targeted on understanding, 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 frightened as a result of I knew what was occurring.”
‘Watch out’
Requested what recommendation he might give to his fellow celebrities, Ricardo mentioned to at all times preserve their ears open. “Apart out of your talks with the corporate, hearken to what different individuals round you might be saying.”
“In fact, 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 mentioned, and by all appearances, the corporate in query was steady, its house owners reliable. “Watch out,” he mentioned. “As a result of I assumed I used to be.”
