All the world’s a stage, and Jericho Rosales is a player who finds the classic beauty of life and love’s beginnings through his role in Lavender Fields
The presence of Jericho Rosales brings a certain breeze of relaxation as he walks into the room. That is not to be mistaken nor confused for hubris, though—it is his headspace; one from a man who has lived, laughed, and loved through life. And continues to do so. “What makes me, me? I just like to have fun,” the actor says with certainty on the nature of his being, one that manifests into his television comeback for Lavender Fields.
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Playing a Role of Redemption
“There’s so much for me to actually play with,” he tells MEGA Man about the offer of playing his two-faced character in the series. “It came at a time with me wanting to rekindle relationships, and ignite new relationships especially with teleseryes and acting on TV.”
Six years after his last primetime project Halik in 2018, he returns with a mindful ease as Tyrone De Vera and Arthur Pelaez on Lavender Fields. Think of Jericho as a player who has muscle memory for his craft, yet is well aware that skill alone is not enough to play well in the field.
For him, that meant asking the right questions with a sense of understanding that every role is a two-way street of impact between the project and the player. “How does the character impact the entire story? What’s his relevance in these times, and even in my own timeline, in my life?” These were his inquiries before stepping into the shoes of Tyrone and Arthur.
Offering a premise of his role in the series, he mentions that his character’s motivation is one familiar to his own. “It’s one of those characters na hindi siya pure, very tormented and full of guilt. He’s actually the source of the problem,” he manages to laugh at his character’s arc. “It’s very clear what the character wanted in the story. It’s about redemption, and I have been toying with this theme for quite some time now. I’m quite familiar with that, you know.”
Training for the New Game
While Jericho, in the essence of seeking a new chapter, has connected with Tyrone and Arthur, stepping into these identities was another thing for him. “Ang layo talaga,” he comments. “I don’t smuggle guns, I’m not an accountant; I was going to be playing a character who’s torn and lives a double life, and it was asking me to play with big emotions like guilt and anger.”
“I had to get familiar with these emotions again and be comfortable with them. There were also physical demands in the action scenes,” he continues to explain. “I had to recalibrate myself, sumakay ulit sa teleserye scene. I just fully embraced it, and I’m so happy doing it.”
Taking an Interest on Love
When one defines the acting prowess of one Jericho Rosales, versatility is part of the vocabulary. There’s him as Joven in the drama-thriller film Nasaan Ka Man, as Tristan in the fantasy series Panday, as Celso in the war motion picture Baler, and even as the Filipino boxing icon Manny in the biographical sports film Pacquiao: The Movie.
But even as his roster proves that he can take on multiple genres, his fans and audience know and love him as a leading man. He has become more than just the teenage heartthrob Mr. Pogi. He tugs heartstrings through a lyric, a dialogue, or even with his eyes. His newest character affirms this as the man who captivated both the protagonist Jasmin-turned-Lavender and the antagonist Iris, played by Jodi Sta. Maria and Janine Gutierrez, respectively.
More than two decades ago, Jodi and Echo played sibling roles on the 2000 classic series Pangako Sa’yo. Lavender Fields is their reunion project. “There’s so much excitement for Jodi and I to work again because we were like two different people back then. We were kids, and now we’ve matured. We have gone through so much in our careers and personal lives, and it’s wonderful to catch up,” the actor points out about their relationship. With their tenure in the industry anchored on their passion for the craft, they both understand the need for collaboration with the people they share the screen with. Rosales notes, “We’re always comparing notes, discussing the characters, emotions, and the entire story, which is always fun.”
Then there’s Janine Gutierrez as not just Jericho’s wife in the series, but as a strong willed woman with a story of her own that will unfold in the next episodes to come. “It’s my first time working with her,” he says. “So, there are situations that we really have to work on together because we play husband and wife. That calls for a really deep relationship.”
Throwing in a punch of reality into their reel relationship, Jericho adds, “I’ve been in relationships, but this role is one where we really have to know each other deep down. It required us to be really comfortable, really vulnerable, open, and honest about everything. Different dynamics, but still fun. We’re always joking about it.”
Standing on Middle Ground
At his age, Jericho finds himself in the middle of things—career very much included. While it’s safe to call him a veteran for his traction and Best Actor accolades, he acknowledges that he has more room for growth that life has to offer. “I can look to the left, then to the right, and see two different angles—someone who’s learned, has known, and has been through so much; and then be someone who has fresh perspectives and say, ‘Oh, ganito pala.’”
The question of his longevity in the industry gets thrown into the mix of inquiries during interviews and junkets. Rosales has always offered his two cents, but perhaps his secret lies in saying yes to adventure, but also trudging paths while acknowledging boundaries. “Don’t teach your co-stars to act. You may discuss or suggest. Never teach them, unless they really ask. You just have to break the role down with them. You work with them,” he emphasizes.
Speaking from experience, he also stresses the importance of investing in oneself. “Do acting workshops, voice lessons, music lessons—any kind of lesson that will help you really elevate your game. Sleep if you can, read your scripts, don’t just wing it. Really prepare because preparation is the work. When you get to the set, that’s the fun time, the play time,” Rosales states.
“When you’re an artist, nothing is really wasted. Pull from experiences. Use everything for growth.”
– Jericho Rosales
“I do sports, sing, and all of these things. Someday, a script can ask me to be someone like a basketball player, a rower, or a poet. Being able to get into the shoes of the character? That makes the hard work so worth it.”
Dressing His Parts
Besides acting, Echo’s refined creativity has also translated into his style. Just like his other artistic pursuits, he credits collaboration in the creative process. “My friends have helped me a lot; my styling team, magazines, and Pinterest, of course,” he shares. “But most importantly, it’s really knowing what you want. You have to know that and what works for you, so you also don’t spend on things that are not really your style, ‘yung ‘di ikaw talaga.”
Summed up by the actor himself, Rosales takes inspiration from films and vintage style from different eras. “I started with movies like The Notebook, and those were my inspirations then. Old country boy or old people style resonate with me. Fashion from the 50s and 40s with high-waisted bottoms, belts, suspenders and loafers,” he reveals. “But I also have my 90s boy side. I took inspiration from my brother during the 80s with the sports jackets and tight pants. Back then, hand-me-downs were my go-to and savior.”
Above his laid back yet polished fashion, practicality ultimately reigns. Jericho’s style is not only intentional for himself, but also for those around him. “My fashion advice is to have a uniform,” he says. “Sometimes, when I’m at work and I can’t go home, I can call the house. Alam na nila ‘yung gagamitin ko.”
Loving His Life
Four decades into his life—and more than half of it devoted to the industry—Jericho has profoundly experienced love enough to define it.
“Love is my religion. It calls for respect, patience, second chances, forgiveness.”
– Jericho Rosales
“It’s also self-love,” he stresses. “Self-love is not having guilt in the same room with you. Sitting with your thoughts and emotions, knowing the parts that you like or dislike about yourself—that’s self-love.”
If the world were truly a stage, then Jericho Rosales remains to be a contender who plays well. The list of his skills and talents goes on as his tenure in the industry does, but his authenticity on love and adventure for life will always reign supreme.
