Ricardo Cepeda (left) and Marina Benipayo —ALLAN POLICARPIO
They are saying that onerous instances reveal true buddies.
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 will see that out who your actual buddies are and people who simply say they’re your mates … those that simply declare to know you. To be sincere, there have been folks I used to be anticipating to step ahead, speak on my behalf or get up 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 identify doesn’t seem on the corporate’s common info sheet filed on the Securities and Alternate Fee.
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“I believed, ‘They clearly don’t know me that nicely as a result of they performed protected and assumed I used to be responsible … maybe they have been petrified of being related [with me],” Ricardo stated. “However surprisingly, there have been folks I didn’t count on to be there for me.”
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Appearing comeback
Was he frightened 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 business maintain extra weight. “What’s extra essential is that I do know I’ve been good to everybody … nothing destructive.”
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 gives.
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 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 court docket if I might at the least earn a dwelling.”
The most important 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 kids being subjected to vitriol, on-line or in actual life.
“My children are grown, however we nonetheless assist them every now and then. There have been quite a lot of destructive 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 companion, Marina Benipayo.
Luckily, Marina held the household collectively whereas he was away. “She’s my hero,” Ricardo stated. “She informed the children 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, nevertheless 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 laborious. However seeing them taking issues in stride and understanding that they weren’t struggling made me really feel lots higher,” he stated.
He initially discouraged Marina from visiting him in Cagayan usually due to the 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 stated.
To assist move time and maintain his nervousness at bay, he busied himself by figuring out and studying books on regulation. “I couldn’t simply keep mad and maintain questioning issues on daily basis. The one factor I might management was my well being and my perspective,” he stated.
“My health stage dropped and I gained weight. I used to be recognized with hypertension. So I centered on figuring out, doing pilates. Quickly, I noticed good outcomes,” he stated. “I additionally examine court docket procedures to assist educate myself … It made me really feel much less frightened as a result of I knew what was taking place.”
‘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, hearken to what different folks round you’re saying.”
“In fact, 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.”
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 house owners reliable. “Watch out,” he stated. “As a result of I believed I used to be.”