Blissful old soul

CEBU, Philippines – “I’m just filled with positivity these days,” says the ruggedly handsome Jericho Rosales, “so the challenge is how to act negative. Ang hirap.”

The actor, prodded to reveal details of his character in his Metro Manila Film Festival 2015 entry titled “Walang Forever” with Jennylyn Mercado, had wondered aloud how he could possibly internalize the role of a guy jaded about love when his personal life has of late been all peaches and cream.

It’s an enviable state he’s in – in a young marriage that seems to still be in the honeymoon phase, assured of his place in an industry currently ruled by teen kings, and the luxury of being able to pursue passions outside of tinseltown.

Yes, Jericho is a contented man these days. Too happy that he’s daunted at the task of pretending to be a curmudgeon on-cam.

“This character is typical, he was hurt, but for guy, he’s overly emotional and says stuff like ‘Walang forever,’” says Jericho.

“Let’s see if I can play a bitter character in a funny way. I’ll try to be bitter, because I actually believe in forever.”

The 36-year-old star says there’s nothing complicated about the plot of “Walang Forever,” yet what reeled him in to the project were the story’s fun elements, and his curiosity at trying out the rom-com genre.

That he was asked to replace JM de Guzman, who was originally signed up for the role, is no biggie for Jericho.

“It’s really not a big deal (being second choice),” he says. “When they offered the film, immediately I said, game! When I read the synopsis, I liked it. And I never asked if I was the second option.”

Jericho is no stranger to filling in for the shoes of another actor, such as in the historical film “Baler” and his recent ABS-CBN soap opera “Bridges of Love.”

“Second choice or not, I wholeheartedly accept and put all of my heart in every project.”

Purist, old soul

In this era of social media’s mounting power – determining the most sought-after endorsers, for one – Jericho maintains that he’s careful not to seek validation from his number of ‘likes’ or followers.

Describing himself as a purist and an old soul, Jericho points out that the quality of a social media user’s engagement with his/her followers is more significant.

“Social media is not where you should get your validation, it should be you as a person. Try to imagine if there was an earthquake now or a major disaster, and the whole Philippines would be submerged, you’ll just be a statistic,” he explains.

“In everything that you do, your value should come from your Creator. Although I know social media is a powerful tool to promote yourself, to let people know what you’re doing. It should be more of output; don’t treat it as input of your validation.”

When he hears about fellow celebrities enjoying massive following on their social media accounts, Jericho says he’s “happy for them.”

“I don’t really look at the number of followers I have. I am more into their response. How involved they are with my movement and what I want to do, how they respond to my mission whether it be about sports, or faith…it’s their engagement that’s more important.”

“It’s a very dangerous thing to gauge your star power with your number of followers. There are artists that don’t have Instagram or Facebook but their star power is there. Like John Lloyd Cruz or Piolo Pascual, they are not heavily into social media but they are very influential. Cameron Diaz gave up her social media because, she said, it’s weird to get your validation from strangers. So I respect people who love Twitter and Instagram, but I just want everything to be light and positive.”

It was Gab Valenciano, says Jericho, who had encouraged him to open a Twitter and Instagram account. He’d like to believe that people follow him online not just because he’s a celebrity, but because what he does even outside of showbiz is interesting for some.

Whether it be his social media reach, his box office power, or his TV show ratings, Jericho is in no mood to pressure himself.

“A TV show’s ratings or a movie’s box office results, for instance, we cannot base it on my performance alone. I can do well and give it my best, look good all the time, be seen on TV and always engage myself with fans, but if the team handling a certain project is not good, that would factor in. So there should be chemistry.”

Vicious business

Asked about his good friend Gab’s recent Facebook post where he poured out his gripes about Philippine showbiz not recognizing his talent, Jericho comments, “I wasn’t able to read that particular Facebook post, but I believe in his talent, and I believe that everyone is entitled to feel a certain way. Anyone can feel vulnerable from the viciousness of this business.”

Gab, one of Gary Valenciano’s musically-inclined sons, had admitted in that post about one time feeling suicidal because the Pinoy showbiz system made him feel worthless, whereas Hollywood superstars like Beyonce appreciated him enough to collaborate with him for a music video.

Jericho says he understands Gab’s sentiments. He himself was treated like royalty when he was working in Malaysia.

“Kung nasa Malaysia ako, oh my gosh, when I’m shooting, may sarili akong suite, may sarili akong car, may sarili akong lahat. Parang whoa, do I deserve this? I’m not saying they don’t treat me well here in the Philippines, but when I’m there, the way they treat me is exaggerated,” the matinee idol notes.

“That’s just something inherent to the business, and here’s something that I believe in: Gabriel Valenciano’s talent, or what he has, is global. We have a different culture. We like kilig, we like sentimental mushy stuff, and it’s a different culture in the States. So maybe there’s a good thing about what he said, to make us realize what we need to realize.”

Wedded bliss

Of how marriage to model Kim Jones has changed him thus far, Jericho answers, “That wasn’t her goal, ever, to change me. I saw things in her that made me want to change certain things about me. Until now, when I see something in her, ‘Gusto ko yan, gagayahin ko yan.’ Yung mga medyo mapupurol na qualities ko, hinahasa ko for her. She’s very proactive, so ako sugod na rin ako. She’s also very creative. We’re not only dreamers, we’re doers. We don’t just like to stop with the dream, we like to do something about it – and that’s something I learned from her.”

Perfect Kuya

One other person that Jericho eagerly learns from is also the same guy that’s top of his mind when asked about who he considers a ‘Kuya’ in the biz.

“I do have ninongs here in showbiz, but let’s not mention that because ayaw nila masyado ng limelight. I would say na there’s this guy that I really look up to. We don’t get to hang out often, but I look up to him. His name is Edu Manzano. He’s kind of funny. For me, he’s a real gentleman. I don’t bug him about everything, but every time we see each other, ‘Uy, okay to ah.’ We talk a lot about business, nature, people…But my go-to guys are my family, my pastors.”

Jericho was in Cebu for his launch as endorser of  Kuya J’s restaurant. A casual dining restaurant that offers Filipino food such as their best-selling Crispy Pata, Lumpia Presko, Kare-kare, Grilled Scallops, Crispy Catfish, and Mango Pandan. Kuya J is a Cebu-based venture that recently expanded to Manila and other neighboring regions.