Why Jericho Rosales Took a Bold Career Turn
JERICHO ROSALES – Award-winning actor Jericho Rosales surprised many when he admitted that quitting TV wasn’t just a break—it was a life-changing decision.
Kapamilya star Jericho Rosales, widely recognized for his acclaimed roles in teleseryes, has finally opened up about why he stepped away from television dramas to pursue filmmaking.
In his guest appearance on Julius Babao’s UNPLUGGED, Rosales explained the real reasons behind his absence from the small screen and why he decided to take a different creative direction.
“We were talking about it kanina. How do I even start? Mayroon akong ganoon e, na mawawala na lang ako bigla.”
He admitted that this has always been part of his personality. “My team knows this about me, it’s just I will reach a certain peak or a certain height and then mare-realize ko na may kulang, may mali, then I’ll stop,” Rosales said.
According to him, his career has been marked by phases of pausing and starting over, sometimes by trying out other passions like music or simply taking a break for himself. “And then, okay, I’ll either switch to music. One time, nag-music ako, and then one time, I just wanted to be with myself. I’ll stop and then restart, and then go back again to a certain level, and then rest na naman,” he added.
After wrapping up the teleserye Halik, Rosales made a firm decision to stop doing television work in order to study the art of filmmaking. “Pinaka-recent one of course the pandemic, but even before the pandemic, I said after ‘Halik,’ I’ll stop TV work muna. Like, really stop. Even if they offer me a contract, and then I’ll say no,” he revealed.
The actor then devoted his time to learning film production, which included understanding scriptwriting, creating business plans, raising funds, and working closely with producers and directors. “’Yun ‘yung main decision ko was to go back sa pelikula kasi ‘yun ‘yung pinakamalaki kong kalaban ko dati na hindi ko pinagbibigyan ang sarili ko magpelikula kasi natatakot ako,” he admitted.
While he knew the risks of leaving teleseryes, such as losing public attention or endorsements, Rosales stressed that chasing his dream mattered more. “May mentality na kapag hindi ka na gumawa ng television (serye) makakalimutan ka na ng mga tao… But natatakot ako na hindi ko pagbibigyan ‘yong pangarap ko,” he said.
Rosales is set to mark his film comeback with Quezon, a biopic about former President Manuel L. Quezon.
READ ALSO: Jericho Rosales Shares How He Prepared For ‘Quezon’