Back after 4-year hiatus, Jericho now wearing producer’s hat

Rosales (right) with Piolo Pascual in one of their shows in the United States last year

Jericho Rosales is back to doing show biz work, “After four years of quietness, hiatus and doing other stuff,” the actor said.

“I’m happy to have a job that I really love, but there was a time when it lost its meaning. I had to take a break from it to really get to know myself, and this took years,” he told Inquirer Entertainment over dinner recently. “It was a journey that I took because I tried to look within and understand why there’s a big hole in my heart. It was kind of damaging already. But everyone has to work. It’s now time to once again focus on my artistry.”

What officially ended Jericho’s break was his one-night performance at the Metropolitan Theater on Saturday at the tribute concert titled “Contra Mundum: Ang All-Star Concert ng ‘Ang Larawan.’”

“‘Contra Mundum’ is a good takeoff point. I’m happy that I did this. I agreed to be a part of it because it’s an important project that paid tribute to some of our national artists. As a Filipino, to be part of the show was something to be proud of. Also, I’ve been dying to do theater for a long time, but I never had the chance to when I was doing TV,” the 43-year-old actor said. “Now that I can choose to do what I want, I made a promise to myself to do things that excite and scare me, but also help me grow.”

Going global

During his break from show biz, Jericho said he also auditioned for a number of Broadway plays while still living in New York with wife, British-born Australian influencer Kim Jones. Jericho, who recorded several albums in the early 2000s, also made time for his music and for performing onstage in a series of concerts in the United States.

He claimed to have always dreamed of making it to Hollywood. “Except now, my dream has more meaning and stability. I know that Filipinos can make projects here and eventually display them abroad. Filipino artists are definitely spreading their wings, and going global. This is a very exciting time for Filipino artists,” he declared. “When I was abroad, I did stuff that would make me feel alive again. I really tried looking for that spark. Later, I realized that I found it in things I actually love to do, which are film, stage and TV series.”

Next on Jericho’s list is the international crime series “Sellblock,” which has been in preproduction work since 2020. “Finally, we will be working on it now. Sadly, I can’t say much about it yet,” Jericho pointed out. “Sellblock” will be directed by Pedring Lopez (“Maria”) under his Black Ops Studio Asia.

In a report by Variety, Hollywood indie producer Scott M. Rosenfelt (whose previous credits include the 1990 family classic “Home Alone,” the Julia Roberts starrer “Mystic Pizza,” John Leguizamo’s “Critical Thinking”) has joined the team along with the US-based production company, Blue Fox Entertainment, as the show’s sales and distribution representative.

Jericho will also begin shooting for the yet-untitled prequel to Erik Matti’s acclaimed action series “On the Job,” alongside Ryan Agoncillo.

Jericho has also put up his own production outfit, although he refused to share its name until the formal launch. “The projects I’m working on take time, patience and a lot of effort. I’m determined to make them happen. My dream is to make excellent projects here, then showcase them abroad. That’s what we’re working on,” he said. “It takes a lot of time to write and produce stuff, but I’m patient enough.”

Jericho Rosales

Way of choosing projects

How did his self-imposed break change the way he chooses projects? “To determine the direction of your career or to be able to pick the right projects for yourself, you have to know what you want. I have stories that I want to tell, so I’ve been talking to producers and creative writers for the past four years. I’ve been looking for the right people to help make these projects happen.”

He continued: “I’m happy to say that all these are in production now. I’m now proudly wearing a producer’s hat. That’s the next thing for me. I know that this takes a lot of sacrifice, but I’m ready to do it.”

For now, Jericho said he has been helping friends mount their dream film projects. “In fact, Bea (Alonzo, who was also part of ‘Contra Mundum’) and I are talking about creating, producing and working together. Kim is a writer-director now. I also coproduced her short film. It served as my training as a producer. It’s been hard, but it’s worth it.”

We also asked his reaction to the photo of him and fellow Kapamilya artists Piolo Pascual, Diether Ocampo and John Lloyd Cruz that went viral in April. Jericho said: “Of course I was surprised by the people’s reaction to it. We weren’t thinking of making a buzz when we posed for that photo. It was taken during a very personal dinner. We just wanted to document that special moment. It was really for Mr. M (Johnny Manahan, former head of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic) and his favorite chikiting (children),” he began.

“I was actually so tempted to share all the memes I’ve read about it. I was just not sure if the other guys were OK with them. They were really funny. Also, I’m excited about the possibility of working with the three guys again,” Jericho declared.