Showbiz Chika

Now that they are working together on a drama series for the first time, Jericho Rosales admitted he had been looking forward to working with Jake Cuenca. The Green Rose actor recalls how he felt when he heard news that Jake might not push through with the project. “Actually nalungkot ako dati nung may balita na hindi na matutuloy si Jake. So I really got sad because kumbaga para sa akin, gustong-gusto ko makatrabaho yung mga leading men and na-fra-frustrate na ako na hindi ko nakakatrabaho sila Piolo (Pascual),  John Lloyd (Cruz), and Sam Milby. Si Diether (Ocampo), sobrang cool kami nun so I also love working with Diet,” he shared.

Echo, had nothing but praises and admiration for his Green Rose co-star. “Now that I am able to work with Jake, ginanahan talaga ako. Sabi ko, ‘Wow, finally, an actor. A leading man and a known actor that I can work with.’ So nagtrabaho kaming dalawa sa mga eksena namin. Pinag-uusapan talaga namin. We congratulate each other after every scene. There’s no competition on who’s better. Hindi namin tinitingnan yung competition. I respect him as an actor,” he shared.

Echo said that he finds Jake’s professionalism as one of the reasons why Green Rose has become such a compelling series to watch. “I heard a lot about him before, but now that I’ve worked with him and nakita ko kung anong klaseng artista si Jake. Now I only have respect for the guy. Makikita mo yung mga eksena namin, yung characters, ‘pag may eksena kami, maganda. It’s nice. And ako, I don’t really mind kung sabihin man nila who’s the better actor or whatever. What’s important for me is nag-produce kami ng magandang scene. Meron kaming sinusunod na linya so dun kami buma-biyahe. Kailangan naming tutukan yung detalye nung show kasi hindi rin kami puwedeng lumayo but at the same time kailangan naming i-express yung feelings namin. On the set, talagang pinag-uusapan namin kung papano i-attack. Kasi may mga scenes kami na ang ganda, sobrang ganda, but sometimes we have to do it again. We actually worked on every scene, kami ni Jake, pinag-uusapan namin yung eksena. First time ko makatrabaho si Jake so ang sarap ‘pag ganun yung ka-eksena mo,” he explained.

As he plays the role of Jerome Delgado, a poor but good-hearted man wrongly accused of committing crimes because of a frame up, Echo said the role gave him new depth as an actor and provided a new kind of challenge when it came to imbibing his character. “Hindi pa naman ako na-frame up sa buhay ko. Yung character lang talaga ni Jerome, since nag-workshop kami, hawak ko na siya sa isip ko and then every time na nasa set kami, medyo they made sure na kuha na namin yung character namin so when we get to the set, in character na and hindi ko talaga masisi kung madala talaga ako sa buhay niya at saka dun sa character ni Jerome kasi talagang kakapitan mo yung character niya kasi talagang nakakaawa siya. Nakakaawa yung pinagdadaanan niya. I was actually blessed to portray a role na ganun na yung karga niya. For me, sasampa na lang ako dun tapos tatakbo na siya. So I had to do my homework from the beginning and yung pinakadulo yun na yun. Tapos na yung rehearsal, ganun,” he said.

Although he’s always up for complex kind of roles, Echo said another added challenge was the unexpected toll the role took on his body. “Yung pinaka-challenging dito is yung transition niya sa pagiging bagong character na dumating. It was medyo physically and emotionally challenging kasi may mga eksena na nagagawa ko na sumasakit yung batok ko sa sobrang pagka-intense niya. As in nagpapamasahe ako bawat eksena. Meron akong isang araw na sumisipa ako, iiyak ako, tumatakbo ako, pagod talaga ako. Emotionally drained ako. The character has many demands. Meron siyang stage na Jerome, the normal guy na mabait na na-in love. I’m loving pero may mga parts si Jerome na hindi ako yun eh. And then biglang he becomes a fugitive, nagtago. And then biglang naging may-ari ng isang malaking kompanya. And then pagbalik ko, magko-Korean ako. Meron akong mga Korean lines. He has to exude that power na parang ganun. So three characters in one,” he said.

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Jericho Rosales was apologetic to Green Rose co-star, Alessandra de Rossi, after he sparked a controversy when he said in a recent interview that he loves the dusky actress. Jericho explained, “Nung araw na ‘yon nung nasa presscon kami, I was joking. Lahat naman kami alam ‘yon. But what they showed on The Buzz was that part na, ‘I love Alessandra,’ I was so serious [when I said that] sabi ko, ‘Ay naku!’”

He continued, “You know what, I’m sorry, Alex, hindi ko naman sinasadya na magkaroon ng ganitong gulo but I love you, we’re friends and masarap ‘yung samahan namin sa Green Rose.”

Asked about his love life, the actor replied, “Wala pa. Wala akong nililigawan ngayon.” Echo’s last relationship was with sports caster and segment host Cesca Litton with whom he broke up last year. However, Echo said that they are good friends now. “It’s actually a blessing na naayos namin ‘yung mga bagay and kung ano ‘yung mga dapat lumabalas, lumabas. We’re friends.”

He said he and Cesca get to talk about life and some personal stuff when they get the chance, but he did not elaborate. “’Yung barkada ko naman, barkada n’ya rin. [And] mahal siya ng mama ko,” he said.

Meanwhile, Echo returned to singing when he staged a Valentine concert at Teatrino in Greenhills last week. The show was different from typical concerts because there was some acting involved. “Parang concert na parang may storya siya, parang isang musical since gusto ko naman talaga ng stage play,” he shared. “Nabuo ko ‘yung concept sa isip ko. I pitched it to Genesis (Entertainment, his management company). They supported me and they liked it.” He went on to say that he is hoping to do more similar projects in the future and to have a repeat of his recent show.

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During the press conference of the teleserye Green Rose, stars Jericho Rosales and Alessandra De Rossi kept teasing each other, which made reporters think that there was something special going on between the two. When asked if she is attracted to Jericho, Alessandra quickly joked, “Excuse me, hindi niyo ba pansin na siya ‘yung tingin nang tingin sa akin? Siya ‘yung tawag nang tawag na, ‘Bibi!’ Ako may pagnanasa sa kanya? Of course not! Napipilitan lang ako. Sa ganda kong ‘to? Ha ha ha!”

In Green Rose, Alessandra works for the very first time with Jericho, and she revealed that in one scene that they did together, she got distracted when his face got too close to hers. “Alam ko lang na magaling siyang artista, na he’s cute. Pero ‘yung una naming eksena together, nakahiga ako sa kama habang sinasakal niya ako. Ang dialogue ko, ‘Huwag! Huwag!’ Pero napahinto ako kasi, ‘Ang gwapo pala nito!’ Na-distract ako. After nun inamin ko sa kanya na na-distract nga ako kasi ang gwapo niya. Mula noon nilalandi na niya ako, ni hindi ko nga siya pinapansin.”

Alessandra and Jericho both maintained that they only became good friends after months of taping Green Rose. Jericho has had the reputation of getting attracted to actresses he works with, so he was asked if there’s a slight chance that he might fall in love with Alessandra. Jericho answered, “Love ko ‘yan si Alex. Mahal siya ng lahat sa set. Alex is ‘love.’ Who wouldn’t fall in love with someone who makes you laugh everyday? Hindi mahirap ma in-love sa katulad ni Alex kasi rock and roll ang puso mo kapag siya ang kasama mo.”

Alessandra is also very close to another Green Rose actor, Jake Cuenca, who she has known for almost ten years now, even from when they were still on another network. Alessandra shared that when she moved to ABS-CBN in 2008, Jake was the first person she got in touch with. “Nung lumipat ako dito sa ABS-CBN si Jake ang una kong hinanap. Alam ko kasi na siya ‘yung kaibigan ko talaga. Alam kong kaya niya akong protektahan, bantayan dito sa ABS-CBN. Masaya ako na ‘yung una kong project dito, ‘yung Tayong Dalawa e kasama ko si Jake. It felt like home agad kasi kasama mo ‘yung taong alam mong nandiyan lagi para sa ‘yo.”

After seeing some of the episodes of Green Rose, Alessandra shared that she feels very proud about Jake’s performance in the teleserye. “Nakita ko ‘yung pag-mature ni Jake bilang aktor dahil dito sa Green Rose. Kung iko-compare mo sa mga dati niyang nagawa, talagang makikita mong gumaling si Jake. Kapag napanood niyo, talagang sobrang bagay sa kanya ‘yung role.”

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Even though they were both unattached when they shot Baler, Jericho Rosales said it was not the right time to think of romance on the set of the 2008 film. Although Echo admitted he developed feelings for Anne over the course of the project, he said that they were both still healing from their former relationships.

During that time, Anne was still recovering from her breakup with Sam Milby while Echo split with longtime girlfriend Heart Evangelista. Now that they are being paired together again in the Philippine adaptation of the hit Korean series Green Rose, Jericho said he has no regrets about not acting on his feelings for Anne two years ago. “I won’t say it’s wrong timing, I would say it’s not the time. It wasn’t the time siguro. Hindi ko binalak manligaw. You could say that may naramdaman ako. Kaya lang we were both healing and I believe that there’s a time for everything. Siyempre si God dapat yung healing power ng bawat isa. Hindi yung hahanap ako ng tao. I wanted to heal also,” he shared during the Green Rose presscon held last February 9 at the ABS-CBN compound.

The singer-actor said that even though he is still single and Anne is now in a relationship with model-businessman Erwann Heussaff, he knows he still made the right decision. When asked if he still has feelings for Anne, Echo declined to comment, which further fueled the press’s curiosity about how it felt for him to be working with her again. “Mahirap na magsalita, (laughs) basta I’m just happy na nakaka-inspire na katrabaho si Anne. There’s a reason to smile everyday, ganun. Siyempre she’s very beautiful, sino bang hindi matutuwa kung yung leading lady mo maganda, maayos at mabait pa, so who wouldn’t be happy? I’m just happy. Yun na yun,” he added.

Jericho said that as they finish up the last few shooting days of Green Rose, he has noticed a definite transformation with Anne with regards to acting. The two closely worked together on their scenes and tried to bring out the best they could from each other and further develop the material given to them. “We knew we have responsibilities. It’s a primetime show and we have children watching so we discuss things to the point na kung may physical contact ng konti kasi lovers nga kami so dun ko nakita yung dedication niya dun sa character and the responsibility and she can separate that and alam niya kung saan niya ilulugar yung sarili niya sa bawat position. As a professional, she knows when to put her foot down and she knows when to stop and when to go and alam niya yung situation, marunong siyang umintindi,” he said.

Even off-cam, Echo said that Anne has been nothing but a welcome presence to everyone. “As a person, mas nakita ko na malapit siya dun sa staff niya and sa staff namin. I don’t want to say it’s a natural charm eh. Parang love siya ng lahat, that’s it. Ganun. Ang gaan ng feeling and I love working with actors na walang kiyeme. So punta siya sa set, kain siya ng kahit anong pagkain. Medyo natanggal yung pagkailang ko,” he admitted.

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While he’s busy wrapping up work for the February 14 premiere of his newest teleserye Green Rose, Jericho Rosales is also busy with last minute preparations for his Valentine concert entitled And I Love Her. The actor, who has consistently denied rumors linking him to Andi Manzano, said he has no Valentine’s date this year. Instead, the singer-actor plans to spend February 14 out of town after a scheduled doctor’s appointment. “May date ako, with my chiropractor. I have a neck problem because of an accident on the show. Nalalag ako, na-aksidente, yung leeg ko. Medyo na-disalign yung isang buto. Nakabaluktot siya ng ganun. So ginagamot namin ngayon. Kung napansin niyo hindi ako masyado nag-gagagalaw lately. Yun lang yun. Sa February 14, baka mag-surf na lang ako. Ginawa ko na yun three years ago. Kasama ko naman yung best friends ko,” he shared during the Green Rose press con held last February 9 at the ABS-CBN compound.

After his breakup with SNN reporter Cesca Litton late last year, Echo said he has no regrets about keeping their relationship relatively low-key. ”We were open naman. But it’s not that open kasi hindi ko gustong masyadong pinag-uusapan. Yun yung respeto ko dun sa kanya, sa akin, sa family because katulad ng sabi ko, hindi ko gustong na-te-tense yung relationship namin, parang ganun. And I really respect everyone na rumespeto dun sa kagustuhan ko na medyo quiet lang. She’s not really showbiz na showbiz ‘di ba so hindi siya sanay sa relationship na showbiz. Ako sanay na ako eh and alam ko na yung repercussions at consequences pag ganun so I said its better for us to be quiet so that we can enjoy it to just stay quiet. We’re not hiding na hindi tayo or tayo, ganun,” he shared.

Echo said his relationship with Cesca was unique because of how they dealt with the breakup. “I’m glad that we’re friends even though it didn’t work. She’s the first person na naging girlfriend ko na after ng relationship namin naging magkaibigan kami,” he admitted.

Echo also revealed minimal details about his concert And I Love Her, which runs February 11 to 12 at Teatrino, The Promenade in Greenhills. “Obviously I want to keep it a surprise. Gusto kong i-surprise yung mga tao sa kung ano ang repertoire kasi hindi ko masasabi. Kakantahin ko yung mga original songs ko na naging hit din naman, maririnig niyo rin dun. But imagine niyo na lang na medyo may pagka-swing ng konti,” he said.

The show, which Echo co-directed with Paolo Valenciano, is one of the projects he has really been looking forward to for the year. “When I say it’s a different kind of show, it’s something na hindi ko pa nagagawa and hindi pa siguro nakikita ng karamihan so I’m excited kung ano magiging reaction ng tao. May love songs ako definitely. It’s going to be fun. It’s just different. Hindi ko puwede ibitaw lahat ng mangyayari eh. But my dream kasi is mas masubukan ko yung pagiging stage actor, yung sa play. Makagawa ng musical. So I tried something here. Let’s see if it will work. So yun yung buong idea nun,” he said.

Echo, who also sang Green Rose’s theme song “Bumuhos Man Ang Ulan,” said that he hopes to pursue singing as much as acting this year which makes his concert very meaningful for him. “For me, this kind of show is a dream come true. So it really means a lot. Sir Gary Valenciano is helping out with the production. Ito na yun, ito yung future ko eh. Gusto ko mag-produce nung mga concerts, mga shows, eto na yun. I’m living my dream right now. I promise you, even though madaming nagsasabi sa akin ng negative stuff, hindi ako nagpapatama dun. Basta I want to entertain people and I want to show them na eto talaga yung buhay ko. Meron akong special guest pero hindi ko talaga masasabi kung sino. But all I can promise you is I will try my best. We’ve prepared something good para sa lahat ng manunuod so I’m hoping that they will like the show,” he shared.

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