Jericho’s leap of faith

Pursuing a singing career meant a great sacrifice for Jericho Rosales. He had to bow out from acting, give up a number of TV and film projects, and decline other offers to allow him to explore his music.

After ruling the primetime block with memorable and widely followed teleseryes like Pangako sa ‘Yo, Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas and the action-fantasy drama, Panday, he took a 10-month sabbatical from acting to concentrate on his music. First on the agenda was to launch an album, Loose Fit (with his band Jeans), containing all original songs which he wrote.

Then came the gigs — in music lounges, malls, the provinces and even abroad, from Sabah, Malaysia to Ghana, Africa — where Echo wowed the crowd as he performed his kind of music.

It has taken him  a year to mount a major concert. He wanted to be ready. And what better time to do it than now, when he is celebrating his 10th year in show business. He cannot be thankful enough for every good thing that has come his way lately.

Raw Energy traces Echo’s successful first decade in show business, from being an actor to a certified musical artist. From charming our hearts since the time he won in Eat, Bulaga!’s Mister Pogi, Echo soared to stardom and made a name for himself. He has gone a long way to become one of the most bankable actors in his generation.

He had to gather enough guts to be able to rule the stage and carry out a two-hour performance in the hope of not boring his audience. And when he did, Echo showed his fans he’s already got what it takes to be called a concert artist.

Last Oct. 18 and 19, Echo staged a two-night concert at the Music Museum aptly called Raw Energy. More impressive was that he even shared directing credits with Gary Valenciano. In the concert’s varied repertoire were the songs that Echo had always wanted to sing, from pop-jazz to alternative rock, funky and groovy hits of the ’70s and ’80s, present favorites and Jeans originals.

Opening up with Beautiful Day/Elevation, he rendered other tunes like How Sweet It Is To Be Loved, You’re Beautiful, Ordinary People, Back To You, It Ain’t Over, Englishman in New York, Get Down On It. He also dished out his original compositions from his album — Kasama Ka, Coming Out and Tuwing Nakikita Ka, the second single culled from Loose Fit.

Echo has always been experimental with the kind of songs he chooses to perform. While he would inject songs by Sting, Jamiroquai, U2 or John Mayer, he has likewise learned to include more popular tunes in his repertoire.”

His visit to Ghana, Africa earlier this year was documented with several heartwarming photos flashed on the huge screen that dominated the stage, as he carried out his version of Toto’s Africa.

Most applauded was Echo’s medley of the soap operas he did – Esperanza, Pangako sa ‘Yo, Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas, Makita Kang Muli (Panday) and Pangarap na Bituin. As footage of his past teleseryes were flashed onscreen, shrieks and screams from the fans were heard.

Among his special guests were Gabriel Valenciano, who displayed his flair for percussion, and rapper Carlos Agassi, who performed Night Sky with him.

Highlight of the concert was when Echo shared the stage with his mentor, concert director and musical influence, Gary Valenciano. “I look up to this man,” says Echo of Gary. “When you stand beside him, it’s an honor. When he speaks to you, it’s another story. I am consistently awed by this man.”

Together, the two rendered a medley of Stand By Me and Every Breath You Take, brilliantly arranged by Mon Faustino. The number elicited an encore that’s why they also sang and danced to an old hit, Manila. Gary later had his own spot with his timeless hit, Sana Maulit Muli, where he also played the keyboards and the audience sang with him.

Music Museum is a venue conquered by seasoned entertainers. For someone who’s been singing for only a year, Echo was undaunted. He was ready to mount the stage, perform his kind of music and entertain his audience.

“Piolo (Pascual) is a good singer, but Echo has a distinct voice,” noted movie columnist and talent manager Aster Amoyo. “When Echo sings, you know it’s him. He’s good.”

Today, Echo has been admirably juggling his time between singing and acting. He has returned to ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida slot with a new soap series, Pangarap na Bituin, featuring him with Sarah Geronimo as his leading lady, Rica Peralejo and even Heart Evangelista as his other love interest.

Among the corporate sponsors who supported the concert were Rustan’s, PLDT, Belo Medical Group and AMA Learning Center, which gave P200,000 worth of scholarship to the Bicol scholarship fund through the beneficiary of the concert, Shining Light Foundation.

Echo has more places and perhaps bigger venues to conquer. As this review sees print, he is in Europe to perform in a Filipino-sponsored event. He knows he has a lot more to prove when it comes to singing, but being the true artist that he is, Echo is not afraid to take the risk. He looks forward to every live performance where he is always out to entertain and please his audience.