MANILA, Philippines - It’s nice to know that a lot of people like Jericho Rosales still believe poverty is never an obstacle in maximizing one’s potential. Rather, it is a challenge that can be overcome with hard work, determination and faith in God.
2009 marks Jericho’s 12th year in show business.
Beyond their ability to entertain, artists can use their fame and influence to affect and inspire positive change. His career spans over a decade, encompassing the lowest of the lows and the highest of the highs. He was a fish vendor, busboy, dishwasher and pizza joint crew before showbiz beckoned.
“There is hope. There will always be hope. Hope is actually in the air we breathe every day. We just need to see and accept it to make our dreams come true,” says Jericho.
Born Jericho Vibar Rosales on Sept. 22, 1979 in Quezon City, Echo went to New Era High School and was discovered on Eat, Bulaga!’s Mr. Pogi competition. He gradually rose to mainstream popularity as homegrown talent of ABS-CBN. Jericho rapidly established a respectable reputation with a string of blockbuster movies and top-rating soap operas. Jericho also honed his hosting skills on TV via A.S.A.P.
Recently, Jericho reunited with music, one of his first loves, by developing his prowess as a singer, musician and songwriter.
Today, Jericho remains on the top of his game with Manila Genesis Entertainment and Management, Inc. as his new management company. He has an exciting line-up of projects which includes an upcoming soap on ABS-CBN, a full-length film with Star Cinema, and his debut, full-length solo album under Star Records.
His achievements and increasing body of work, however, are not by-products of some serendipitous event in his life.
Everything Jericho has is a result of many years of hard-work, determination, and faith in God.
Like a lot of young people of his generation, he believes in his dreams. As a fish vendor in Marikina’s Concepcion Market, Jericho realized he is good in selling stuff.
“I did very well when I sold fish. I realized that I have the skill and the ability to sell things. In my struggles to be an artist, it has always been an aspiration of mine to sell the idea of how hard work, determination, faith in oneself, and most especially faith in God can change one’s life,” explains Jericho.
Poverty may be a powerful opponent that could hinder Jericho from reaching his dreams but he proved otherwise.
“Success is very subjective. Success for one person could mean the opposite to another. For me success is always the result of hard work. If I could inspire just one person to dream and do the right thing, then I will consider myself successful. Aside from using my craft to inspire other people, my dream is to provide a good life for my family. I am at my happiest every time I see my family happy,” says Jericho.
At the center of everything is Jericho’s faith in God. Although he admits that the road to success is filled with extreme hardship, Jericho believes his constant efforts to strengthen his faith made him surpass challenges.
Today, as he celebrates his 12th anniversary in showbiz, Jericho’s prayer is to continuously be an inspiration to others.
“I am content and thankful with what I have right now. In the future I would like to explore other things such as directing, producing films, and writing more songs. But in totality, I just want everything to be consistent with my goals and dreams,” he says.
How can a simple fish vendor reach the peak of success and maintain a humble outlook? The answer is simple: One must always believe in dreams and hope that every ingredient that leads towards success is achieved through God’s help.
Jericho is a beacon of hope who reminds us that poverty can be overcome by hard work.