It’s funny but Jericho Rosales doesn’t relate to his character in the movie “Luck At First Sight” at all for one basic reason.
“I don’t believe in luck,” said he who is “Echo” to his close friends. “Personally, I believe in being prepared when an opportunity comes. For me ’yun ang swerte, kapag dumating ang opportunity tapos prepared ka.”
He added: “I believe in preparation, I believe in hard work. I believe in God’s good grace more than anything else.”
Yet he considers himself a “gambler,” we needled.
“Yeah, kasi everyday naman is a gamble,” he countered. “That’s why, I think in a way, I’m a gambler.”
He later talked about the many gambles he took in life, including the time he did away with a love team and showbiz temporarily, in order to concentrate on his music for one year.
“’Yun ang mga malalaking bagay na ginawa ko para sa sarili ko,” he mused. “’Yung banggain ko ’yung hindi normal (para sa akin). It worked.”
Jericho does not believe juggling love and career always spells disaster as “nangyayari lang ’yon kapag may pinabayaan kang isa.”
Through touchy times
While filming “Luck At First Sight” produced by Viva Films, Jericho’s co-star, Bela Padilla, broke off with the film’s producer Neil Arce. But shooting went on as scheduled.
Jericho said, “Kaya nga saludo ako sa professionalism nila. Sa nakita ko sa kanila, they did great in handling the situation.”
He gave unsolicited advice to couples who break up, saying, “Just respect the process of healing, of moving on and saving whatever you can save in a relationship or kung ano man ang natutunan ninyo sa isang tao. It will make you a better person.”
Also, Jericho’s dad died around the same time.
“Namatay siya while we were shooting a romantic scene in Bulacan. Hindi na ako humingi ng break, ibinigay na agad nila sa akin. So ako, I feel blessed to be involved in this project and the people I worked with.”
After his dad’s death, Jericho traveled with a buddy.
“Nag-long ride kami ng barkada ko. We did 1,800 kilometers in 72 hours on a motorcycle. Pinuntahan ko ’yung San Juanico Bridge kung saan nagpunta si Papa. Kinunan ko ’yung litrato. Iniyak ko lahat doon sa tulay. Bumalik ako ng Manila. I came back a better person, a stronger person and understanding my father even more. Our family is better, medyo naka-move on na kami. Of course, we miss Papa, my source of adventure, my source of strength,” he said.