Love can wait

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to be working again with Bea (Alonzo),” says Jericho Rosales as televiewers will see him join the cast of ABS-CBN’s Betty La Fea starting this week.

“For the first quarter of 2009, I’m gonna do something. It’s a blessing for me because a lot of people love Betty La Fea,” adds Jericho who was last seen on primetime soap Kahit Isang Saglit opposite Carmen Soo. He, too, feels excited and happy playing a light character, a good break from his past serious, dramatic roles.

Jericho and Bea were initially paired as husband and wife in Pacquiao. This time, Echo breathes life to surfer/beach resort owner Aldo who will be romantically involved with Bea’s Betty and eventually create a conflict with John Lloyd Cruz’s Armando Solis. But he brushes off the idea about the possibility of him and Bea becoming a real item as what usually happened to his past leading ladies.

“Except for Carmen, I normally ended having an affair with my leading ladies,” Jericho offers. “Yes, kinikilig ako when I’m being linked to Carmen or Anne (Curtis), KC (Concepcion) and Karylle because I’m single. I see nothing wrong with it but I’m just able to establish a good friendship with them maybe because we have something in common. Anne came from a breakup and Karylle, too. I came from a breakup myself, an intense three-year relationship (with Heart Evangelista) and it wouldn’t be fair kung may ligawan ako this time baka rebound yung mangyari.”

Would he rather have a non-showbiz girlfriend now? That, Echo cannot say for sure as he often moves and breathes in a circle where he always meets and discovers something beautiful in his every co-actor.

Is there a chance he will fall for Bea?

“We’ll see. Everything is possible. I have learned from my mistakes and I think I’m more mature now when it comes to relationships. But right now, I’m prioritizing all the given opportunities — work first,” Echo replies.

Staying focused and being more relaxed have helped him improved in his craft — as a singer (lead vocalist of Jeans) and an actor.

 That’s why he prepares himself well for the role not to upstage John Lloyd’s acting but for him to deliver the part well. Competition, he says, is far from happening as he looks forward to the day when he could act alongside Kapamilya stars like John Lloyd, Bea and Piolo Pascual.

Echo needs to be fit all the time as there would be a lot of scenes requiring him to go topless and expose his abs.

“I feel the role is tailor-made for me because I love the beach and surfing is what I love best but I try to blend with the story and let everyone see and feel the character not me as Jericho,” he explains.

But with the show’s aim to establish a love triangle head writer Joel Mercado assures Echo won’t come out as an intruder or contravida in the eyes of John Lloyd-Bea fans as he will positively brings excitement to their affair.

Echo’s inclusion in the original romantic comedy from Colombia will see him pitting talents with former girlfriend Heart Evangelista, who plays lead on the rival network’s fantaserye. Both shows will air on the same timeslot. And Echo is quick to note that each show has its own following. Being in the cast of Betty La Fea is part of his work.

“I’m just playing my character,” Jericho points out.

With that, he rests his case.