The future for Jericho Rosales

Writer: Dzamira Dzafri

Jericho Rosales during the chat.

With his whirlwind experience in TV, music, films, and even perfumes, Jericho sat with us to talk about his latest projects at the recent first anniversary of Astro Bella at the Hilton Hotel Ballroom, before a meet and greet session with hundreds of screaming fans waiting for him outside.

Cinema Online's interview with Jericho Rosales was conducted on 1 March at Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

Q: Hi, Jericho! It's good to meet you.
Jericho Rosales: Good to meet you too!

Q: So, how's Malaysia treating you so far?
Jericho: It's always been a good experience. I have been in Malaysia a few times before. Mostly incognito, I'm usually hidden. (Laughs) Of course, the food here is incredible as well.

Q: So what brings you to Malaysia this time?
Jericho: I'm celebrating Astro Bella's first anniversary with my good friends Natasha (Hudson) and Khairul Anwar (Vice Presdent of Astro Malay Sales). With my background in mostly telenovelas and TV dramas, I have been invited to celebrate with them, and I'm also here to meet the unbelievably huge turnout outside. They're the greatest.

Q: Besides promoting your telenovela, "Pangako Sa Yo", which is being brought back because of the strong demand, tell us about any upcoming films you are working on.
Jericho: I have actually worked on a movie that I am really passionate about. I co-produced it with the director, and it's called "Alagwa", which in Filipino means 'breakaway'. The movie tells a story about a father's search for his lost son, set to the theme of human trafficking. It is full of drama and suspense, and it has been nominated for ten awards in Manila alone including Best Cinematography, Best Actor, and Best Director. We'll even be going to Sarawak for the film festival there and I am very excited for Malaysian audiences to see it.

Q: You have always been very successful in the Philippines and Malaysia. But is there a time in your life when you didn't feel like it was going so great?
Jericho: Well, it was the time when I stopped working in TV and film a few years ago. It was a bad time in my life. But I did work on my music, which I am really passionate about although it wasn't going as well as I had hoped. Of course, music is still something I have been strongly passionate about.

Jericho with Natasha Hudson and Encik Khairul Anwar at the Astro Bella Anniversary.

Q: You have a great aura around you. You seem to be loved by many women of all ages.
Jericho: Even guys! (laughs)

Q: How's your girlfriend, Kim (Jones)?
Jericho: She's good, thanks. She's very down to earth, and loves to learn and travel. And she's also very sporty, like me. And no, we don't have any plans for marriage yet. I'll let you know, though.

Q: Besides your concrete plans in the near future, like the film festival, do you have any other plans to work on that you have always wanted to do?
Jericho: I always want to do bigger and better things. Like Hollywood. I want to take a crack at Hollywood if I can.

Q: What sort of stuff in Hollywood?
Jericho: Films, hopefully.

Q: Anyone specific in Hollywood that you'd like to work with?
Jericho: Anyone, really. I'm not absolutely picky. But if I had to pick a director, it would definitely be Quentin Tarantino, because I know he has always been a fan of Filipino films. If anything, even a job in his movie as an extra would be great!

Q: Thanks for talking to us, Jericho.
Stephen: No problem at all. Glad I could.